Performance Analysis of Various Compensation Topologies in Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles

Abstract

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is a transformative electric vehicle (EV) charging technology that offers improved efficiency, convenience, and automation. This paper investigates the impact of various compensation topologies on WPT systems, focusing on the four fundamental configurations: Series-Series (S-S), Series-Parallel (S-P), Parallel-Series (P-S), and Parallel-Parallel (P-P). The efficiency, stability, and adaptability of these topologies are analyzed within a 5kW system using theoretical derivations, numerical calculations and simulations. A key contribution of this study is the development of a comparative evaluation framework that reveals how each topology responds to dynamic conditions and coupling variations – which is critical for real-world EV charging. Among the simulated configurations, the S-S topology exhibited the highest efficiency – reaching 94%. The paper also outlines the advantages, disadvantages, and operational characteristics of each topology, providing a practical guideline for WPT system design. The findings highlight key differences in efficiency, power stability, and system complexity, providing insights into topology-dependent trade-offs, and aiding optimal topology selection in EV WPT applications.