High power factor converter with a boost circuit having continuous/discontinuous modes

A method for generating an output voltage with high power factor comprising:

• (i) rectifying an input ac voltage;
• (ii) using said rectified input ac voltage to obtain a booster current;
• (iii) controlling the supply of said booster current to be discontinuous when an instantaneous voltage level of the input ac voltage is less than a reference voltage level and continuous when the instantaneous voltage level is greater than the reference voltage level;
• and
• (iv) generating an output voltage by using the controlled supply of said booster current.

A system for generating an output voltage comprising:

• (i) means for rectifying an input ac voltage;
• (ii) means for using said rectified input ac voltage to obtain a booster current;
• (iii) means for controlling the supply of said booster current to be discontinuous when an instantaneous voltage level of the input ac voltage is less than a reference voltage level and continuous when the instantaneous voltage level is greater than the said reference voltage level;
• and
• (iv) means for generating said output voltage while maintaining high power factor input by using the controlled supply of said booster current.