A photovoltaic (PV) maximum power point tracking (MPPT) converter behaves as a decoupling stage that dynamically tracks the peak power of a PV generator with an output characteristic curve that is nonlinear and changes with respect to solar irradiation and cell temperature. Depending on diff erent voltage transfer functions and application requirements, the classical MPPT converter topologies include buck, boost, buck-boost, flyback, etc. In this paper, an improved Watkins–Johnson (WJ) topology is added to the family of MPPT converters. This improved topology has the merits of a simple circuit structure, power switches that are easy drive, synchronous mode capability, and high efficiency at a marginal duty cycle. To balance the tracking speed and tracking stability of the WJ topology, key issues including the perturbation period and perturbation amplitude have been resolved by means of small-signal modeling and an analysis according to the PV model parameters and converter electrical elements. An experimental prototype has been designed, constructed, and utilized to verify the feasibility of the proposed concept.