Voltage converter with soft communication networks

A voltage converter comprising:

• a primary path configured to generate a pulse modulated voltage or current from an input direct current (DC) voltage;
• a transformer arrangement with m≧1 primary windings and n≧2 secondary windings inductively coupled together, the m primary windings being connected to the primary path;
• and
• a secondary path configured to output a pulsed direct current (DC) voltage or current, wherein the secondary path comprises n capacitors connected in series and n secondary controllable semiconductor switches, and wherein each of the n secondary windings is connected via at least one of the secondary controllable semiconductor switches to at least one of the capacitors;
• and
• n soft commutation networks, each connected in parallel to one of the n secondary controllable semiconductor switches, wherein each of the n soft commutation networks comprises:
• a series connection of a commutation inductance, a first commutation diode and a commutation capacitor, the series connection being connected in parallel to the respective secondary controllable semiconductor switch and the commutation inductance being connected to a node between the secondary controllable semiconductor switch and the respective one of the n capacitors;
• and
• a second commutation diode connected between the node between the first commutation diode and the commutation capacitor, and the node between the respective secondary winding and the respective one of the n capacitors.