Chapter 5.

The Discontinuous Conduction Mode

5.1. Origin of the discontinuous conduction mode, and

mode boundary
5.2. Analysis of the conversion ratio M(D,K)
5.3. Boost converter example
5.4. Summary of results and key points

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 1 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Introduction to
Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

● Occurs because switching ripple in inductor current or capacitor voltage

causes polarity of applied switch current or voltage to reverse, such
that the current- or voltage-unidirectional assumptions made in realizing
the switch are violated.
● Commonly occurs in dc-dc converters and rectifiers, having single-
quadrant switches. May also occur in converters having two-quadrant
switches.
● Typical example: dc-dc converter operating at light load (small load
current). Sometimes, dc-dc converters and rectifiers are purposely
designed to operate in DCM at all loads.
● Properties of converters change radically when DCM is entered:
M becomes load-dependent
Output impedance is increased
Dynamics are altered
Control of output voltage may be lost when load is removed

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 2 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 5.1. Origin of the discontinuous conduction
mode, and mode boundary

Buck converter example, with single-quadrant switches

Q1 L continuous conduction mode (CCM)
iL(t) + iL(t)

Vg + D1 C R V I
– ∆iL
iD(t)
–

Minimum diode current is (I – ∆iL) 0 DTs Ts t

conducting
Dc component I = V/R devices: Q1 D1 Q1

Current ripple is iD(t)

(V – V) Vg DD'Ts
∆iL = g DTs = I
∆iL
2L 2L
Note that I depends on load, but ∆iL
does not.
0 DTs Ts t

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 3 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Reduction of load current

Increase R, until I = ∆iL CCM-DCM boundary

Q1 L iL(t)

iL(t) +

Vg + D1 C R V
–
iD(t)
– I
∆iL
0 DTs Ts t

Minimum diode current is (I – ∆iL)

conducting
devices: Q1 D1 Q1

Dc component I = V/R iD(t)

Current ripple is
(V – V) Vg DD'Ts
∆iL = g DTs =
2L 2L
Note that I depends on load, but ∆iL I
∆iL
does not. 0 DTs Ts t

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 4 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Further reduce load current

Increase R some more, such that I < ∆iL Discontinuous conduction mode
Q1 L iL(t)
iL(t) +

Vg + D1 C R V
–
iD(t)
–
I

Minimum diode current is (I – ∆iL)

0 DTs Ts t
D1Ts D2Ts D3Ts
conducting
Q1
Dc component I = V/R devices: Q1 D1 X

Current ripple is iD(t)

(V – V) Vg DD'Ts
∆iL = g DTs =
2L 2L
Note that I depends on load, but ∆iL
does not.
The load current continues to be 0 DTs Ts t
D2Ts
positive and non-zero.
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 5 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode
 Mode boundary

I > ∆iL for CCM

I < ∆iL for DCM

Insert buck converter expressions for I and ∆iL :

DVg DD'TsVg
<
R 2L
Simplify:
2L < D'
RTs
This expression is of the form
K < K crit(D) for DCM
where K = 2L and K crit(D) = D'
RTs

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 6 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 K and Kcrit vs. D

for K < 1: for K > 1:

K > Kcrit:
2 2 CCM
K < Kcrit: K > Kcrit:
DCM CCM K = 2L/RTs

Kc ( Kc (
1 rit D) = 1 rit D) =
1 –D 1–D
K = 2L/RTs

0 0
0 1 D 0 1 D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 7 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Critical load resistance Rcrit

Solve Kcrit equation for load resistance R:

R < Rcrit(D) for CCM

R > Rcrit(D) for DCM
where Rcrit(D) = 2L
D'Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 8 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Summary: mode boundary

K > K crit(D) or R < Rcrit(D) for CCM

K < K crit(D) or R > Rcrit(D) for DCM

Table 5.1. CCM-DCM mode boundaries for the buck, boost, and buck-boost converters
max ( K crit ) min ( Rcrit )
Converter K crit(D) 0≤D≤1 R crit(D) 0≤D≤1
2L 2 L
Buck (1 – D) 1 (1 – D)T s Ts
4 2L 27 L
Boost D (1 – D)2 27 D (1 – D) 2 T s 2 Ts
2L 2 L
Buck-boost (1 – D)2 1 Ts
(1 – D) 2 T s

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 9 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 5.2. Analysis of the conversion ratio M(D,K)

Analysis techniques for the discontinuous conduction mode:

Inductor volt-second balance
Ts

vL = 1 vL(t) dt = 0
Ts 0

Capacitor charge balance

Ts

iC = 1 iC(t) dt = 0
Ts 0

Small ripple approximation sometimes applies:

v(t) ≈ V because ∆v << V
i(t) ≈ I is a poor approximation when ∆i > I

Converter steady-state equations obtained via charge balance on

each capacitor and volt-second balance on each inductor. Use care in
applying small ripple approximation.
Fundamentals of Power Electronics 10 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode
 Example: Analysis of
DCM buck converter M(D,K)

iL(t) L

+ vL(t) – +
iC(t)

subinterval 1 Vg +
–
C R v(t)

Q1 L iL(t) L
iL(t) + +
subinterval 2 + vL(t) – iC(t)
Vg + D1 C R V +
– Vg C R v(t)
–
iD(t)
–
–

iL(t) L

+ vL(t) – +
iC(t)
subinterval 3 Vg + C R v(t)
–

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 11 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 1

iL(t) L
vL(t) = Vg – v(t) + vL(t) – +
iC(t)
iC(t) = iL(t) – v(t) / R
Vg + C R v(t)
–
Small ripple approximation
for v(t) (but not for i(t)!): –

vL(t) ≈ Vg – V
iC(t) ≈ iL(t) – V / R

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 12 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 2

iL(t) L
vL(t) = – v(t)
+ vL(t) – +
iC(t) = iL(t) – v(t) / R iC(t)

Vg + C R v(t)
–
Small ripple approximation
for v(t) but not for i(t): –

vL(t) ≈ – V
iC(t) ≈ iL(t) – V / R

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 13 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 3

iL(t) L
vL = 0, iL = 0 + vL(t) – +
iC(t)
iC(t) = iL(t) – v(t) / R
Vg + C R v(t)
–
Small ripple approximation:
–

vL(t) = 0
iC(t) = – V / R

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 14 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Inductor volt-second balance

vL(t)
Vg – V
D1Ts D2Ts D3Ts
0
Ts t
–V

Volt-second balance:
vL(t) = D1(Vg – V) + D2( – V) + D3(0) = 0

Solve for V:
D1
V = Vg note that D2 is unknown
D1 + D2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 15 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Capacitor charge balance

L iL(t) v(t)/R
node equation:
+
iL(t) = iC(t) + V / R iC(t)

capacitor charge balance: C R v(t)

iC = 0 –
hence
iL(t)
iL = V / R
ipk
Vg – V
L –V
must compute dc L
component of inductor <iL> = I
current and equate to load
current (for this buck 0 DTs Ts t
converter example) D1Ts D2Ts D3Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 16 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Inductor current waveform

iL(t)
peak current:
ipk
Vg – V Vg – V
iL(D1Ts) = i pk = D 1T s
L L –V
L
average current: <iL> = I

Ts

iL = 1 iL(t) dt
Ts 0 0 DTs Ts t
D1Ts D 2T s D3 Ts
triangle area formula:
Ts

iL(t) dt = 1 i pk (D1 + D2)Ts equate dc component to dc load current:

0 2
V = D1Ts (D + D ) (V – V)
D 1T s R 2L 1 2 g
iL = (Vg – V) (D1 + D2)
2L

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 17 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Solution for V

Two equations and two unknowns (V and D2):

D1 (from inductor volt-second balance)
V = Vg
D1 + D2

V = D1Ts (D + D ) (V – V)
R 2L 1 2 g (from capacitor charge balance)

Eliminate D2 , solve for V :

V = 2
Vg 1 + 1 + 4K / D 21
where K = 2L / RTs
valid for K < K crit

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 18 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Buck converter M(D,K)

1.0
M(D,K) K = 0.01

0.8

K = 0.1
0.6

K = 0.5 D for K > K crit

0.4
M= 2 for K < K crit
K≥1 1+ 1 + 4K / D 2
0.2

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 19 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 5.3. Boost converter example

i(t) L D1 i (t)
D

+ vL(t) – +
iC(t)

Vg + Q1 C R v(t)
–

Mode boundary: Previous CCM soln:

I > ∆iL for CCM Vg Vg

I < ∆iL for DCM
I= ∆iL = DTs
D' 2 R 2L

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 20 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Mode boundary

0.15 4
Kcrit ( 13 ) = 27
Vg DTsVg
> for CCM
D' 2R 2L Kcrit(D)

2L > DD' 2 for CCM 0.1

RTs

K > K crit(D) for CCM 0.05

K < K crit(D) for DCM
where K = 2L and K crit(D) = DD' 2
RTs
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 21 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Mode boundary

0.15

CCM
DCM CCM
K < Kcrit K > Kcrit
K > K crit(D) for CCM 0.1 K
K < K crit(D) for DCM
where K = 2L and K crit(D) = DD' 2
RTs

0.05

K crit
(D)
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
D

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 22 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Conversion ratio: DCM boost

i(t) L

+ vL(t) – +
iC(t)

Vg + C R v(t)
subinterval 1 –

i(t) L D1 i (t) i(t) L

D
+ + vL(t) – +
+ vL(t) – iC(t) iC(t)
subinterval 2
+ Vg + C R v(t)
Vg Q1 C R v(t) –
–
–
–

i(t) L

+ vL(t) – +
iC(t)

+
subinterval 3 Vg
–
C R v(t)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 23 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 1

i(t) L
vL(t) = Vg +
+ vL(t) – iC(t)
iC(t) = – v(t) / R
Vg + C R v(t)
–
Small ripple approximation
for v(t) (but not for i(t)!): –

vL(t) ≈ Vg
iC(t) ≈ – V / R 0 < t < D1Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 24 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 2

i(t) L
vL(t) = Vg – v(t) +
+ vL(t) – iC(t)
iC(t) = i(t) – v(t) / R
Vg + C R v(t)
–
Small ripple approximation
–
for v(t) but not for i(t):

vL(t) ≈ Vg – V
D1Ts < t < (D1 +D2)Ts
iC(t) ≈ i(t) – V / R

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 25 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Subinterval 3

i(t) L
vL = 0, i = 0 +
+ vL(t) – iC(t)
iC(t) = – v(t) / R
Vg + C R v(t)
–

Small ripple approximation: –

vL(t) = 0
iC(t) = – V / R
(D1 +D2)Ts < t < Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 26 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Inductor volt-second balance

vL(t)
Vg
D1Ts D2Ts D3Ts
0
Ts t
Vg – V

Volt-second balance:
D1Vg + D2(Vg – V) + D3(0) = 0

Solve for V:
D + D2
V= 1 Vg note that D2 is unknown
D2

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 27 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Capacitor charge balance

node equation:
iD(t) = iC(t) + v(t) / R D1 i (t)
D
+
capacitor charge balance: iC(t)

iC = 0 C R v(t)

hence
–
iD = V / R

must compute dc component of diode

current and equate to load current
(for this boost converter example)

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 28 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Inductor and diode current waveforms

i(t)
peak current:
ipk
Vg Vg
i pk = DT L
L 1 s
Vg – V
average diode current:
L
Ts

iD = 1 iD(t) dt
Ts 0 0 DTs Ts t
D 1T s D2Ts D3Ts
triangle area formula: iD(t)

Ts ipk
iD(t) dt = 1 i pk D2Ts
0 2 Vg – V
L

<iD>

0 DTs Ts t
D1Ts D2Ts D3Ts

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 29 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Equate diode current to load current

average diode current:

1 1 V g D 1 D 2T s
iD = i DT =
Ts 2 pk 2 s 2L

equate to dc load current:

V g D 1 D 2T s V
=
2L R

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 30 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Solution for V

Two equations and two unknowns (V and D2):

D + D2
V= 1 Vg (from inductor volt-second balance)
D2
V g D 1 D 2T s V
= (from capacitor charge balance)
2L R

Eliminate D2 , solve for V. From volt-sec balance eqn:

Vg
D2 = D1
V – Vg

Substitute into charge balance eqn, rearrange terms:

2 V 2gD 21
V – VVg – =0
K

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 31 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Solution for V

2 V 2gD 21
V – VVg – =0
K
Use quadratic formula:

V = 1± 1 + 4D 21 / K
Vg 2
Note that one root leads to positive V, while other leads to
negative V. Select positive root:
V = M(D ,K) = 1 + 1 + 4D 21 / K
1
Vg 2

where K = 2L / RTs
valid for K < Kcrit(D)

Transistor duty cycle D = interval 1 duty cycle D1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 32 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Boost converter characteristics

5
M(D,K)
1
0.0
4
K=

1 for K > K crit

3 5
0.0 1–D
= M =
K
1+ 1 + 4D 2 / K
2 0 .1 for K < K crit
K= 2
7
4/2
K≥
1

Approximate M in DCM:
0
0 0.25 0.5 0.75 1
M≈1+ D
D
2 K

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 33 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Summary of DCM characteristics

Table 5.2. S ummary of CCM-DCM characteristics for the buck, boost, and buck-boost converters

Converter K crit (D) DCM M(D,K) DCM D2(D,K) CCM M(D)

2 K M(D,K)
Buck (1 – D) 1 + 1 + 4K / D 2 D D
1 + 1 + 4D 2 / K K M(D,K) 1
Boost D (1 – D)2 D 1–D
2
Buck-boost (1 – D)2 – D K – D
K 1–D

with K = 2L / RT s. DCM occurs for K < K crit .

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 34 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Summary of DCM characteristics

DCM
M(D,K) • DCM buck and boost
characteristics are
asymptotic to M = 1 and to
the DCM buck-boost
o st 1)
Bo ×– characteristic
t(
oos 1
c k-b K • DCM buck-boost
Bu
characteristic is linear
1 • CCM and DCM
characteristics intersect at
Buck
mode boundary. Actual M
follows characteristic
0 having larger magnitude
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
• DCM boost characteristic is
D nearly linear

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 35 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Summary of key points

1. The discontinuous conduction mode occurs in converters

containing current- or voltage-unidirectional switches, when the
inductor current or capacitor voltage ripple is large enough to
cause the switch current or voltage to reverse polarity.
2. Conditions for operation in the discontinuous conduction mode
can be found by determining when the inductor current or
capacitor voltage ripples and dc components cause the switch
on-state current or off-state voltage to reverse polarity.
3. The dc conversion ratio M of converters operating in the
discontinuous conduction mode can be found by application of
the principles of inductor volt-second and capacitor charge
balance.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 36 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode

 Summary of key points

4. Extra care is required when applying the small-ripple

approximation. Some waveforms, such as the output voltage,
should have small ripple which can be neglected. Other
waveforms, such as one or more inductor currents, may have
large ripple that cannot be ignored.
5. The characteristics of a converter changes significantly when
the converter enters DCM. The output voltage becomes load-
dependent, resulting in an increase in the converter output
impedance.

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 37 Chapter 5: Discontinuous conduction mode