The objective of this chapter is to describe the operation of the parallel resonant converter in detail. The concepts developed in chapter 3 are used to derive closed-form solutions for the output characteristics and steady-state control characteristics, to determine operating mode boundaries, and to find peak component stresses. General results are presented using frequency control for both the continuous and the discontinuous conduction modes. This chapter also explains the origin of the discontinuous conduction mode, which is in many ways the dual of the series resonant discontinuous conduction mode. The characteristics of the parallel resonant converter are quite different from those of the series resonant converter, and from those of conventional PWM converters. The parallel topology can both step up and step down the dc voltage. Although the output characteristics are again elliptical, near resonance they exhibit a current-source characteristic. The discontinuous conduction mode occurs under heavy loading (or short-circuit conditions, in the limit). The transistor current stresses and conduction loss depend on the output voltage, and are nearly independent of load current. Although these features may make the parallel resonant converter ill-suited to some conventional power supply applications, they can be used to advantage in others. An example is given in section 5.4, in which the parallel resonant converter is used to construct a 24V:10kV high voltage power supply with current source characteristics. Design considerations are outlined, and the near-ideal operation of an experimental circuit is described. A second application example is also explored, in which the parallel resonant converter is used as an off-line low harmonic rectifier. The converter input characteristics are found, and the advantages and disadvantages of the PRC in this application are discussed.