Basic PWM dc-to-dc converter structure is examined wherein a basic substructure of converters, known as a converter cell, is identified. Converter cells can be used in generation and classification of basic PWM dc-to-dc converters. A large number of new converters are generated. Converter analysis, whereby the nonlinear response of the system to perturbations in the control or the input, is determined by two different methods. A classical approach to nonlinear systems analysis is first used wherein the system is represented by a Volterra functional series. The alternative approach presented concentrates on deriving circuit models for the PWM switch. The PWM switch represents the static nonlinear substructure of the vast majority of converter cells. Analysis of converters then proceeds in an analogous fashion to ordinary transistor circuit analysis whereby the nonlinear device is replaced by its circuit model. Topological considerations of single-phase dc-to-ac inverters are discussed. A number of zero-current switching quasi-resonant inverter topologies are derived. Schemes that permit these topologies to handle reactive loads are identified. / Ph. D.