1

Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008

Power Electronics Notes 07A
Introduction to DC/DC Converters
Portions of these notes excerpted from the CD ROM accompanying Mohan, Undeland and Robbins, Power
Electronics Converters, Applications and Design, 3d edition, John Wiley 2003
Other notes Marc Thompson, 2008
Marc T. Thompson, Ph.D.
Thompson Consulting, Inc.
9 Jacob Gates Road
Harvard, MA 01451
Phone: (978) 456-7722
Fax: (888) 538-3824
Email: marctt@thompsonrd.com
Web: http://www.thompsonrd.com
2
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Summary
Non-isolated (i.e. no transformer) DC/DC converters
Step down (buck)
Step up (boost)
Buck-boost
Cuk converter
SEPIC
Full-bridge
Comparison of DC/DC converters

3
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Block Diagram of Typical AC Input, Regulated DC
Output System
Typically, a power supply front end has uncontrolled full-wave
diode rectifier, followed by a bus (hold-up) capacitor, followed
by a DC/DC converter with active feedback control

4
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Offline Flyback Converter
Reference: http://www.st.com/stonline/products/literature/an/7310.pdf
5
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Some Real-World Design Issues that Well Get to
Later On in the Term
6
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Stepping Down a DC Voltage
In this example, the average value of the output voltage =
DV
in
where D is the DUTY CYCLE in PWM (pulse-width
modulation) control
D = t
on
/T
s
, the fraction of the total switching cycle that the
switch is ON

7
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Frequency Spectrum of V
o
f
s
= 1/T
s
V
o
= V
d
D

The output voltage contains switching harmonics
8
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Adding a Lowpass Filter to the Buck Converter
The goal of the lowpass filter LC is to pass the DC
component, while attenuating the switching components

As frequency increases, X
L
increases and X
C
decreases
9
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Adding a Lowpass Filter to the Buck Converter
The corner frequency must be lower than the switching
frequency to attenuate the switching harmonics.
Corner frequency:
-40 dB/decade
10
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Step-Down (Buck) Converter
Diode needed to provide current path for output current
when switch is OFF
11
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter in Continuous Conduction
In periodic steady state,
inductor current flows
continuously
Waveform here are for
buck in continuous
conduction mode; note
that inductor current
never decays to zero
In discontinuous
conduction mode, there
are 3 states
12
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: PSPICE Circuit
Circuit shown: f
sw
= 200 kHz, D = 0.5
13
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Startup Waveforms
These waveforms are shown for a constant duty cycle of D
= 0.5 during startup
Note large overshoot on output voltage and inductor current
14
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Same Circuit --- PSIM Simulation
15
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Same Circuit --- PSIM Simulation
16
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Analysis for DC/DC Converters in Continuous
Conduction and Steady State
In steady state, the inductor current returns to the same
value every switching cycle, or every T seconds
Therefore, the inductor ripple current UP equals ripple
DOWN
Several assumptions to simplify analysis:
Periodic steady state --- all startup transients have died
out
Small ripple --- ripple is small compared to average
values. For instance, output voltage ripple is small
compared to the DC value
17
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Inductor Voltage and Current
Remember that in an inductor:
dt
di
L v
L
L
=
18
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter in Continuous Conduction
V
o
D
i
L
L
V
cc
v
c
+
-
C R
In continuous conduction, buck converter has 2 states ---
switch OPEN and switch CLOSED.
We can solve for output voltage by focusing on inductor
Volt-second balance
19
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter in Continuous Conduction
V
o
D
i
L
L
V
cc
v
c
+
-
C R
V
o
i
L
L
V
cc
v
c
+
-
C
R
V
o
i
L
L
v
c
+
-
Switch closed (for time DT) Switch open (for time (1-D)T)
di
dt
V v
L
L CC o
=

di
dt
v
L
L o
=
20
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter in Continuous Conduction
The inductor ripple current UP equals ripple DOWN




We already knew this result by inspection, but this
methodology of inductor Volt-second balance can be used
to evaluate other more complicated DC/DC converters,
such as the boost, buck-boost, etc.
( ) ( ) V V DT
L
V D T
L
V DV
CC o o
o CC

=
=
1
0
21
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter in Continuous Conduction ---
Idealized Switching Waveforms
Idealized
because we
assume that
switches and
diodes turn on and
off with zero
risetime
22
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Waveforms at the Boundary of
Cont./Discont. Conduction
I
LB
= critical current below which inductor current becomes
discontinuous
23
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Discontinuous Conduction Mode
Steady state; inductor current discontinuous (i.e. it goes zero
for a time)
Note that output voltage depends on load current
max ,
2
2
25 . 0
LB
o
d
o
I
I
D
D
V
V
+
=
24
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Capacitor Current Ripple
Continuous
conduction mode
25
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Output Voltage Ripple
ESR is assumed to be zero; continuous conduction mode
26
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck Converter: Output Voltage Ripple
ESR is assumed to be zero
L f
D V
L
T D V
i
sw
o o
pp L
) 1 ( ) 1 (
,

=

= A
L f
D V
i
T
Q
sw
o
pp L
2
,
8
) 1 (
2 2 2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
A
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
= A
LC f
D V
C
Q
v
sw
o
pp o
2
,
8
) 1 (
=
A
= A
27
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 1: Buck Converter Calculations
Shown for SPICE example with f
sw
= 200 kHz, D = 0.5, L =
33 H, C = 10 F, I
o
= 1A
A
L f
D V
i
sw
o
pp L
38 . 0
) 10 33 )( 10 2 (
) 5 . 0 1 )( 5 ( ) 1 (
6 5
,
=


=

= A

mV
LC f
D V
C
Q
v
sw
o
pp o
24
) 10 10 )( 10 33 ( ) 10 2 ( 8
) 5 . 0 1 )( 5 (
8
) 1 (
6 6 2 5 2
,
=


=

=
A
= A

28
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 1: Buck in Periodic Steady State
Analysis shows inductor ripple = 0.38 A-pp, output voltage
ripple = 24 mV-pp, confirmed by SPICE
29
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Step-Up (Boost) DC-DC Converter
Output voltage is greater than the input, with the same
polarity
30
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter Waveforms in CCM
Continuous conduction mode (CCM)
Switch closed:
di
dt
V
L
L CC
=
Switch open:
di
dt
V v
L
L CC o
=

Inductor Volt-second balance:
V DT
L
V V D T
L
V
V
D
CC CC o
o
CC
+

=
=

( )( ) 1
0
1
31
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter: Discontinuous Conduction
Occurs at light loads
32
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter: Effect of Parasitics
The duty-ratio D is generally limited before the parasitic
effects become significant
As D gets big, input current gets very large (think about
power balance.); the voltage drop in inductor and switch
cause efficiency to suffer
33
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter Output Ripple
ESR is assumed to be zero
Assume that all the ripple component of diode current flows
through capacitor; DC component flows through resistor
34
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter --- PSIM Simulation
What is the output voltage?
35
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter --- PSIM Simulation
V
o
= V
i
/(1-D) in continuous conduction
Output voltage during startup
36
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Boost Converter --- PSIM Simulation
Note that inductor current I(RL1) never decays to zero, so
were in continuous conduction
37
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 2: Boost Converter Example
Mohan, Example 7-1
Boost converter on the edge of discontinuous conduction
V
i
= 12V, D = 0.75, V
o
= 48V, P
o
= 120W
38
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 2: Boost Converter Example
Output voltage ripple
Inductor ripple current
39
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Step-Down/Up (Buck-Boost) Converter
The output voltage can be higher or lower than the input
voltage
40
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Waveforms
Continuous conduction mode
Switch closed:
di
dt
V
L
L CC
=
Switch open:
di
dt
v
L
L o
=
Inductor Volt-second balance:
|
.
|

\
|

=
=

+
D
DV
V
L
T D V
L
DT V
CC
o
o CC
1
0
) 1 (
41
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost: Limits of Cont./Discont. Conduction
The output voltage is held constant
42
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost: Discontinuous Conduction
This occurs at light loads
43
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Effect of Parasitics
The duty-ratio is limited to avoid these parasitic effects
from becoming significant
44
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Output Voltage Ripple
ESR is assumed to be zero
45
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 3: Buck-Boost Converter: Simulation
V
o
should be -10V after startup transient dies out
46
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Example 3: Buck-Boost Converter: Simulation
V
o
should be -10V in steady-state after startup transients die
out
Output voltage during startup
47
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Simulation
The ripple is pretty big (0.5 V pp)
Lets increase the size of the filter capacitor by 10 --- what
will happen?
48
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Simulation
With larger C
What has happened?
Output voltage during startup
49
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Buck-Boost Converter: Simulation
Note that ripple is smaller, but startup transient
is slower (makes sense); LC is larger
Output voltage during startup
50
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Cuk DC-DC Converter
The output voltage can be higher or lower than the input
voltage
Capacitor C1 stores and transfers energy from input to output
When switch is ON, C1 discharges through the switch and
transfers energy to the output
When switch is OFF, capacitor C1 is charged through the diode
by energy from the input and L1
51
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Cuk DC-DC Converter: Waveforms
The capacitor
voltage is assumed
constant (very large)
Note phase inversion
at the output
|
.
|

\
|

=
D
D
V
V
d
o
1
52
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
SEPIC Converter
Single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC)
Can buck or boost the voltage
Note that output is similar to buck-boost, but without a
phase inversion
This circuit is useful for lithium battery powered equipment
|
.
|

\
|

=
D
D
V
V
d
o
1
53
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
SEPIC Converter
Circuits for 2 different
switching states
Reference: National Semiconductor, Application Note AN-1484, Designing a SEPIC Converter
54
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
SEPIC Converter --- Example
Example from application note
Reference: National Semiconductor, Application Note AN-1484, Designing a SEPIC Converter
55
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
SEPIC Converter
56
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
SEPIC Converter
Output voltage ripple
57
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Converter for DC-Motor Drives
Four quadrant operation is possible
For:
DC motor drives
DC to AC inverters for UPS
58
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Switch Utilization in DC-DC Converters
It varies significantly in various
converters
P
T
= V
T
I
T
where V
T
and I
T
are
peak switch voltage and current
In direct converters (buck and
boost) switch utilization is good;
in indirect converter (buck-boost
and Cuk) switch utilization is
poor
59
Introduction to DC/DC Converters M. T. Thompson, 2008
Equivalent Circuits in DC-DC Converters
Replacing inductors and capacitors by current and voltage
sources, respectively