DC-DC Converters
Introduction
Definition:
Converting the unregulated DC input to a
controlled DC output with a desired voltage level.
General block diagram
• Applications:
Switched-mode power
supply (SMPS) DC motor
control, battery chargers.
2
Linear Switch Regulator
Transistor is operated
at linear (active)
mode.
Output voltage
Vo = Vs - VCE
7
PWM
Review of Basic Concepts
PFM
8
Continuous vs. Discontinuous
Two modes of operation in DC-DC Converters based
on Inductor Current
• Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) when
inductor current > 0
• Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) when
inductor current goes to 0 and stays at 0 for
some time
9
Volt Second Balance
Steady state and periodic operation
• Inductor charges and discharges
• Average (DC) voltage across Inductor in
one period = 0
• Inductor looks like a short
10
Amp Second Balance
Steady state and periodic operation
• Capacitor charges and discharges
• Average (DC) current through a capacitor in one
period = 0
• Capacitor looks like an open to a DC
11
Buck (step-down) Converter
Average output voltage is less than input
voltage.
Power stage consist of a switch, diode and
inductor.
Input current characteristic is poor, output
current characteristic is good.
12
Buck (step-down) Converter
Analysis for switch closed
The inductor voltage
VL = Vd Vo
di
L L
dt
diL Vd Vo
=
dt L
Vo = DVd
15
Buck (step-down) Converter
Transfer Function:
•In steady state the average inductor
voltage is zero over one switching
period Volt Second Balance
V
LO
NtO
N
VLO
FFtO
FF0
(
VS
VD
O)T
(V)
O(
1 D
)T0
V
ODV
S
16
Buck (step-down) Converter
Average, maximum and minimum inductor current
1 ( 1 D)
Vo 0
R 2 Lf
1 ( 1 D) • This is the minimum value of inductor to
0
R 2 Lf ensure continuous mode operation.
( 1 D) • Normally L is chosen >> Lmin
L Lmin = R
2f 19
Buck (step-down) Converter
Output voltage ripple
ic = iL iR
Q = CVo
ΔQ = CVo
ΔQ
ΔVo =
C
• From the current figure, by using triangle
area formula:
1 T ΔiL
ΔQ =
2 2 2
TiL
• Therefore, the ripple factor,
8
TiL ( 1 D) ΔVo ( 1 D)
r= =
∴ΔVo = = 2
Vo Vo 8LCf 2 20
8C 8LCf
Buck (step-down) Converter
Design procedures
• Calculate D to obtain required output voltage.
• Select a particular switching frequency:
- preferably >20kHz for negligible acoustic noise.
- higher freq results in smaller L and C but higher device losses, thus lowering
the efficiency and needs large heat sink.
- Possible devices: MOSFET, IGBT, BJT.
• Determine Lmin. Increase Lmin by about 10 times to ensure full continuous mode.
• Calculate C for ripple factor requirement.
- must withstand peak output voltage.
- must carry required rms current. The rms current for triangle waveform is IP/3
and IP is the peak capacitor current given by ∆iL/2.
• Wire size consideration – normally rated in rms. RMS value for iL is
2
Δi / 2
I L,rms = I + L
2
L
3
21
Buck (step-down) Converter
Example 4.1
• The buck dc-dc converter has the following parameters:
Vs = 50V
D = 0.4
L = 400µH
C =100µF
F = 20 kHz
R = 20 Ω
Vo = VsD = (50)(0.4) = 20 V.
1 1 D 1 1 D
I max = Vo + I min = Vo
R 2 Lf R 2 Lf
1 1 0.4 1.5
= 1 = 0.25 A
= 20 + 3
20 2 400 10 6
2010
2
1.5 Note that the minimum inductor
= 1+ = 1.75 A current is positive, verifying that
2 the assumption of continuous
current was valid.
23
Buck (step-down) Converter
Solution 4.1
0.00469
0.469%
24
Buck Converter: 12V to 2.5V 1A
Design
Given: Vs 12V Vo 2.5V Iomax 1A
Solution:
Vo
D D 0.208
Vs
Inductor:
( 1 D) Vo 4
Lcrit Lcrit 1.979 10 H
2 f Ioccm
6
Choose: L 200 10 H
( 1 D) Vo
ILmax Iomax ILmax 1.099 A
2 L f
( 1 D) Vo
IL IL 0.198 A
Lf
25
Buck Converter: 12V to 2.5V 1A
Design
MOSFET:
Vds Vs Vds 12 V
Id DIomax Id 0.208 A
Diode:
Vrrm Vs Vrrm 12 V
If ( 1 D) Iomax If 0.792 A
Capacitor:
%VoVo
Vcmax Vo Vcmax 2.513 V
2
( 1 D) 1 5
C C 1.979 10 F
2 %Vo
8 Lf
6
Choose Co 50 10 F
( 1 D)
%Vo %Vo 0.396 %
2
8 Lf Co 26
Buck Converter: Pspice 12V to 2.5V
L1
1 2
20 0u
S1
-
+
+
-
V1 S break D1 R1
12 Dbreak C1
2.5
50 u
V1 = 0 V2
V2 = 1
TD = 0
T R = 10 n
T F = 10n
P W = {(3.18 5/12)*(1/50k)}
P ER = {1 /5 0k}
27
Buck Converter: Pspice 12V to 2.5V
1.00A
SEL>>
0.59A
I(L1)
2.0A
Input Current
1.0A
0A
3.6800ms 3.7000ms 3.7200ms 3.7400ms 3.7600ms 3.7800ms 3.8000ms 3.8182ms
-I(V1)
Time 28
Boost (step-up) Converter
Average output voltage is higher than input
voltage.
Power stage also consist of a switch, diode
and inductor.
Input current characteristic is good, output
current characteristic is bad.
29
Boost Converter
When the switch is CLOSED
• Inductor is charging with Vs across it
• Diode is reverse-biased (anode at 0 while cathode
at some positive value)
• Input is disconnected from the output, i.e. no
energy flows from input to output, output gets
energy from capacitor
Opposite to the Buck
• VLclosed = Vs
30
Boost Converter
• When the switch is OPEN
• Inductor is discharging.
• Diode is forward-biased
• Input is connected to the output, i.e. energy flows from input to
outputwhilecapacitor’senergyisreplenished.
• The output stage receives energy from the i/p as well as from the
inductor.
• VLopen = Vs – Vo
31
Boost Converter
Analysis for switch closed
The inductor voltage
VL = Vs
diL
L
dt
diL Vs
=
dt L
Since the derivative of iL is a +ve
constant, therefore iL must
increase linearly.
diL ΔiL ΔiL Vs
= = =
dt Δdt DT L
ΔiL closed = Vs DT 32
L
Boost Converter
Analysis for switch opened (off)
The inductor voltage
VL = Vs Vo
diL
L
dt
diL Vs Vo
=
dt L
Since the derivative of iL is a -ve
constant, therefore iL must
decrease linearly.
diL ΔiL ΔiL V V
= = = s o
dt Δdt ( 1 D)T L
Vs Vo
ΔiL opened = ( 1 D)T 33
L
Boost Converter
Steady-state operation
ΔiL closed + ΔiL opened = 0
Vs Vs Vo
DT + ( 1 D)T = 0
L L
Vs
Vo =
1 D
34
Boost Converter
• Transfer Function:
• In steady state the average inductor voltage is zero
over one switching period Volt Second Balance
V
LO t NV
NO LOF t FF 0
FO
V
SDT(V
SVO)(1D)T0
1
O
V V
1D
S
35
Boost Converter
• Inductor current:
● Input power = Output power
V
o2
Vs I s =
R
2
Vs
2
Vs I L = =
1 D Vs
R ( 1 D)2 R
● Average inductor current
Vs
IL =
( 1 D)2 R
36
Boost Converter
• Inductor current:
● Max, min
ΔiL Vs Vs DT
I max = IL + +
2 ( 1 D) R
2
2L
ΔiL Vs Vs DT
I min = IL
2 ( 1 D) R
2
2L
37
Boost Converter
• Continuous Current Mode (CCM)
and Steady State
I min 0
Vs Vs DT
0
( 1 D) R 2L
2
38
Boost Converter
• Continuous Current Mode (CCM)
and Steady State
• Ripple factor
ΔQ = Vo DT CVo
R
Hence
Vo DT Vo D ΔVo D
ΔVo = r = =
RC RCf Vo RCf
39
Boost Converter
• Example
Design a boost converter to provide an output voltage of 36V from a
24V source. The load is 50W. The voltage ripple factor must be less
than 0.5%. Specify the duty cycle ratio, switching frequency, inductor
and capacitor size.
• Solution
Vs V2
o
Vo = Po =
1 D R
V 24 V2 36 2
D = 1 s = 1 = 0.33 R= =o
= 25.92Ω
Vo 36 Po 50
40
Boost Converter
• Solution
Let f = 20kHz
D
r=
D(1 D) R
2
RCf
Lmin =
2f D
C=
0.33( 1 0.33 ) x 25.92
2
Rfr
2x20 x103 =
0.33
95.99 μH 25.92 x 20 x103 x0.005
127.31μF
41
Boost Converter: Main
Components’Ratings
Vds > Vomax and Id > D*Is
Vrrm > Vomax and IF > Iomax
D VO
C
Rf VO
VO
Vcmax Vo
2 42
Boost Converter: 5V to 12V 1A
Example
Given: Vs 5V Vo 12V Iomax 1A
Solution:
Vs
D 1 D 0.583
Vo
Inductor:
2
D( 1 D) Vo 5
Lcrit Lcrit 4.051 10 H
2 f Ioccm
6
Choose: L 50 10 H
Vs VsD
ILmax ILmax 2.692 A
2 Vo 2 Lf
( 1 D)
Iomax
Vs
ILavg ILavg 2.4 A
2Vo
( 1 D)
Iomax
VsD
IL IL 0.583 A
Lf 43
Boost Converter: 5V to 12V 1A
Example
Capacitor:
%VoVo
Vcmax Vo Vcmax 12.15 V
2
DIomax 1 5
C C 1.944 10 F
Vof %Vo
6
Choose Co 20 10 F
DIomax
Vo Vo 0.292 V
Co f
MOSFET:
Vo
Vds Vo Vds 12.146 V
2
Id DILavg Id 1.4 A
Diode:
Vo
Vrrm Vo Vrrm 12.146 V
2
If Iomax If 1 A
44
Boost Converter: Pspice 5V to
12V 1
L1 a
2
D1a
50 u
Dbreak V
V 1a S 1a C1a R1a
5 + + 20 u
12
- -
V1 = 0 V 2a
V2 = 1 S break
TD = 0
T R = 10 n
T F = 10n
P W = {(1-(4.58/12 ))/100 k}
P ER = {1 /1 00k}
0
18V
Output Voltage
16V
(12.046V)
12V
8V
4V
0s 0.5ms 1.0ms 1.5ms 2.0ms 2.5ms 3.0ms 3.5ms 4.0ms 4.5ms 45
5.0ms
V(D1a:2)
Boost Converter: Pspice 5V to
12V
4.0A
Switch Current
2.0A
0A
I(S1a:3)
4.0A
Diode Current
2.0A
0A
I(D1a)
3.75A Inductor Current = Input Current
2.50A
SEL>>
1.25A
4.83ms 4.84ms 4.85ms 4.86ms 4.87ms 4.88ms
I(L1a)
Time
46
Buck Boost Converter
• It is a step up or step down converter
• Average output voltage could be higher or lower than input
voltage depending on Duty Cycle
• Output voltage polarity is opposite to input voltage
• Power stage also consists of a switch, diode and inductor
• Input current characteristic is bad, output current
characteristic is bad
47
Buck Boost Converter
• When the switch is CLOSED
• Inductor is charging while diode is open
• Input is disconnected from the output, i.e. no energy flows
from input to output, output gets energy from capacitor
• Same as Boost
• VLON = Vs
48
Buck Boost Converter
• When the switch is OPEN
• Inductor is discharging and forcing the diode to be forward-biased
• Input is again disconnected from the output, i.e. energy flows from
inductor and capacitor is replenished
• Different from both Boost and Buck
• VLOFF = Vo
49
Buck Boost Converter
• Transfer Function:
• In steady state the average inductor voltage is zero over one
switching period Volt Second Balance
V
St
ONV
Ot
OFF0
V
SD O
TV(1
D)T0
D
O
V V
S
1D
50
Buck Boost Converter
Analysis for switch closed (on)
The inductor voltage
diL
VL = Vs L
dt
diL Vs
=
dt L
Since the derivative of iL is a +ve
constant, therefore iL must increase
linearly.
diL ΔiL ΔiL Vs
= = =
dt Δdt DT L
ΔiL closed = Vs DT
L 51
Buck Boost Converter
Analysis for switch opened (off)
The inductor voltage
diL
VL = Vo L
dt
diL Vo
=
dt L
ΔiL,closed + ΔiL,opened = 0
Vs DT Vo ( 1 D)T
+ =0
L L
D
Vo = Vs
1 D
53
Buck Boost Converter
Inductor current
Assuming no power loss,
Po = Ps
Vo2
= Vs I s
R
But I s= I L D
Vo2
= Vs I L D
R
2
D
Vs
1 D
2
IL =
Vo
Vs D
Vs RD Vs RD R( 1 D)2
54
Buck Boost Converter
Inductor current
ΔiL Vs D Vs DT
I max = IL + +
2 R( 1 D)2
2L
ΔiL Vs D Vs DT
I min = IL
2 R( 1 D)2
2L
• For CCM
Vs D Vs DT
=0
R( 1 D)2
2L
( 1 D)2 R
Lmin =
2f 55
Buck Boost Converter
Output voltage ripple
Vo
ΔQ = DT CVo
R
Vo DT Vo D
∴ΔVo = =
RC RCf
ΔVo D
r= =
Vo RCf
56
Buck Boost Converter
57
Buck Boost Converter: Main
Components’Ratings
Vds > Vs-Vo and Id > D*IL Vrrm > Vs-Vo and IF > Iomax
D
VO VO
RCf
V
Vcmax Vo O
2 58
Buck Boost Converter: Pspice 15V to -3.3V
D1b
S 1b Dbreak
-
+
V 1b V
2 C1b R1b
+
-
15 S break 20 u
L1 b 3.3
V1 = 0 V 2b
V2 = 1 50 u
TD = 0
T R = 10 n
T F = 10n 1
P W = {(4.05 /1 8.3)/1 00k}
P ER = {1 /1 00k}
0
0V
Output Voltage
-2.0V
(-3.3386)
-4.0V
-5.0V
0s 0.5ms 1.0ms 1.5ms 2.0ms 2.5ms 3.0ms 3.5ms 4.0ms 4.5ms 5.0ms
V(C1b:2)
59
Time
Buck Boost Converter: Pspice 15V to -3.3V
2.0A
Switch Current = Diode Current
1.0A
SEL>>
0A
I(S1b:3)
2.0A
Diode Current
1.0A
0A
I(D1b)
+ +
+
+
61
Cuk Converter: CCM & Steady State
• At t = 0- sec (right before the switch is turned ON)
• C1 is already charged, L2 has discharged through Diode
• At t = 0 sec, the switch is CLOSED
• L1 is charging (Vs across it) and through the source path
• C1 discharges through the switch and around the load path
• Replenishing (charging L2) hence forcing Diode to be reverse biased
• Current iC1 = -iL2 (IC1)Closed = – IL2
• From KVL around outermost loop in DC steady state
VC1 VS Vo
+ +
+
62
Cuk Converter: CCM & Steady State
• When the switch is OPEN
• L2 is discharging (flipping its polarity) causing the diode
to be forward biased (diode conducting)
• L1 is discharging through C1 (replenishing C1) then
through diode then back to source
• Current iC1 = iL1 (IC1)Open = IL1
+
+ +
+
63
Cuk Converter: CCM & Steady State
• Transfer Function
• In steady state, average current through capacitor in one period is
zero (recall capacitor looks like an open to dc or average value)
i
C
1cl
ose
d
D
Ti
C1o
pe
n
(
1)D
T
0
IL1 D
IL
2DT IL(
1
1) D T 0 IL2 1D
(Equation A)
Pin Pout I V
(Equation B)
L1 o
1 o
VI
S L V IL2 IL2 VS
Vo D
VS 1D
64
Cuk Converter: CCM & Steady State
• Critical values for Inductors and Capacitors
(1D)2R VSD
VD IL1m I
c
L IL1 S ax S
2fL
1
2D
f f L1 1
(1D )R IL2
VD
IL2m I
VSD
2c
S
L f L2
ax o
2fL
2f 2
I(
1D
)
D IS(1D ) V (
V V
)S
C1c
V 1
C
1m
ax S o
2 1
fC
f C
C
2 fR 1
1 D V DV
S
2
C2c V S V
C2
max V
o 2
C
8f2C
2L
1
6fC L
8fR 2 22
Solution:
Vo
D D 0.25
Vo Vs
Inductors:
VsD 4
L1 L1 2 10 H
IL1f
6
Choose: L1 250 10 H
VsD
New L1 ripple: IL1 IL1 0.48 A
L1f
VsD 4
L2 L2 1.5 10 H
IL2f
6
Choose: L2 180 10 H
VsD
New L2 ripple: IL2 IL2 0.667 A 66
L2f
Cuk Converter: 12V to 4V 1.25A Example
Capacitors:
DIomax
Is
1D
Is ( 1 D) 4
C1 C1 1.25 10 F
f VC1
6
Choose C1 200 10 F
Is ( 1 D)
VC1 VC1 62.5 mV
C1 f
DVs 4
C2 C2 1.667 10 F
2
8VC2L2f
6
Choose C2 200 10 F
D Vs
VC2 VC2 16.667 mV
2
8C2 L2f
VC1
VC1max Vs Vo VC1max 16.031 V
2
Vds VC1max Vds 16.031 V
67
Vrrm VC1max Vrrm 16.031 V
Cuk Converter: 12V to 4V Pspice
L1 C1 L2
1 2 2 1
25 0uH 20 0uF
18 0uH V
S1
+ + R1
V1 D1 C2 {4/1.25}
- -
12 V Dbreak
S break 20 0uF
0
V1 = 0 V2
V2 = 1
TD = 0
T R = 10 n
T F = 10n
P W = {0 .2 95/250
k}
P ER = {1 /2 5k}
68
Cuk Converter: 12V to 4V
Pspice
16.1V
16.0V
15.9V
Peak to peak voltage Ripple of C1 = 67 mV
15.8V
V(C1:1,C1:2)
4.02V
4.01V
4.00V
3.99V
SEL>>
3.98V
29.6154ms 29.6500ms 29.7000ms 29.7500ms 29.8000ms 29.8500ms 29.9000ms 29.9500ms
-V(L2:1)
Time
69
Cuk Converter: 12V to 4V
Pspice
1.0A
Peak to peak Inductor L1 current ripple = 0.55 A
0.5A
0A
I(L1)
2.0A
1.5A
1.0A
SEL>>
0.5A
29.52ms 29.54ms 29.56ms 29.58ms 29.60ms 29.62ms 29.64ms 29.66ms
I(L2)
Time
70