Robert W. Erickson

Predictive digital current programmed control

This paper explores predictive digital current programmed control for valley, peak or average current. The control laws are derived for the three basic converters: buck, boost, and buck-boost. It is found that for each variable of interest (valley, peak or average current) there is a choice of the appropriate pulse-width modulation method to achieve predictive digital current control without oscillation problems. The proposed digital control techniques can be used in a range of power conversion applications, including rectifiers with power factor correction (PFC). Very low current distortion meeting strict avionics requirements (400-800 Hz line frequency) is experimentally demonstrated on a digitally controlled boost PFC employing predictive average current programmed control.

Integrated high quality rectifier-regulators

A family of AC-to-DC converters which integrate the functions of low harmonic rectification, low frequency energy storage, and wide bandwidth output voltage control into a single converter containing one, two, or four active switches is presented. These converters utilize a discontinuous conduction mode input inductor, an internal energy storage capacitor, and transformer secondary circuits which resemble the bridge, forward, flyback, or Cuk DC-DC converters. A large-signal equivalent circuit model for this family which uses the loss-free resistor concept is presented. Design strategies and experimental results are given. High performance regulation with satisfactory line current harmonics is demonstrated with conventional duty ratio control. Further improvements in line current are possible by simultaneous duty ratio and switching frequency control.<<ETX>>

Design of a simple high-power-factor rectifier based on the flyback converter

An equivalent circuit model for the discontinuous conduction mode flyback converter based on the loss-free resistor concept is presented. This simple model correctly describes the basic power processing properties of the converter, including input port resistor emulation, output port power source characteristics, and control characteristics. Based on this model, steady-state design equations are described and are used in a design example. Design of the slow output voltage feedback loop is also considered. A small-signal AC model is developed for both the resistive load and the DC-DC converter-voltage regulator load cases. In addition, a simple first-order approximation for the line current distortion and phase shift caused by 120 Hz duty cycle variations is derived.<<ETX>>

Design and implementation of a digital PWM controller for a high-frequency switching DC-DC power converter

This paper describes the complete design and implementation of a digital controller for a high-frequency switching power supply. Guidelines for the minimum required resolution of the analog-to-digital converter, the pulse-width modulator, and the fixed-point computational unit are derived. A design example based on a buck converter operating at the switching frequency of 1 MHz is presented. The controller design is based on direct digital design approach and standard root-locus techniques. Experimental results are shown to validate the design approach and the allocation of resources (resolution) in the implementation.

Improved Energy Capture in Series String Photovoltaics via Smart Distributed Power Electronics

This paper proposes an improved module integrated converter to increase energy capture in the photovoltaic (PV) series string. Prototypes for self-powered, high efficiency dc-dc converters that operate with autonomous control for tracking the maximum power of solar panels locally and on a fine scale are simulated, built and tested. The resulting module is a low-cost, reliable smart PV panel that operates independently of the geometry and complexity of the surrounding system. The controller maximizes energy capture by selection of one of three possible modes: buck, boost and pass-through. Autonomous controllers achieve noninteracting maximum power point tracking and a constant string voltage. The proposed module-integrated converters are verified in simulation. Experimental results show that the converter prototype achieves efficiencies of over 95% for most of its operating range. A 3-module PV series string was tested under mismatched solar irradiation conditions and increases of up to 38% power capture were measured.

Nonlinear-carrier control for high-power-factor boost rectifiers

Novel nonlinear-carrier (NLC) controllers are proposed for high-power-factor boost rectifiers. In the NLC controllers, the switch duty ratio is determined by comparing a signal derived from the main switch current with a periodic, nonlinear carrier waveform. As a result, the average input current follows the input line voltage. The technique is suitable for boost converters operating in the continuous conduction mode. Input voltage sensing, the error amplifier in the current-shaping loop, and the multiplier/divider circuitry in the voltage feedback loop are eliminated. The current-shaping is based on switch (as opposed to inductor) current sensing. The NLC controllers offer comparable or improved performance over existing schemes, and are well suited for simple integrated-circuit implementation. Experimental verification on a 240 W rectifier is described.

DC-DC converter design for battery-operated systems

This paper describes performance, design and optimization of DC-DC converters for energy limited, battery operated systems. Variable-frequency operation is used to achieve voltage regulation and high efficiency for an extremely wide range of load currents. An experimental 15 W, 3.3 V buck converter has been constructed to demonstrate design and optimization techniques. The converter employs synchronous rectification to reduce conduction losses, and discontinuous, variable-frequency, current-mode control with optimum peak current to maximize efficiency for a wide range of loads. Applications include portable computers, hand-held instruments, and telecommunications.<<ETX>>

Buck-boost PWM converters having two independently controlled switches

Single-switch step-up/step-down converters, such as the buck-boost, SEPIC and Cuk, have relatively high voltage and current stresses on components compared to the buck or the boost converter. A buck-boost converter with two independently controlled switches can work as a boost or as a buck converter depending on input-output conditions, and thus achieves lower stresses on components. Using the converter synthesis method from D. Zhou (1995), families of two-switch buck-boost converters are generated, including several new converter topologies. The two-switch buck-boost converters are evaluated and compared in terms of component stresses in universal-input power-factor-corrector applications. Among them, one new two-switch converter is identified that has low inductor conduction losses (50% of the boost converter), low inductor volt-seconds (72% of the boost converter), and about the same switch conduction losses and voltage stresses as the boost converter.

Comparison of resonant topologies in high-voltage DC applications

Because of their tolerance of transformer nonidealities, resonant converters are considered to be well-suited to high-voltage applications. The series and parallel resonant topologies, as well as a newly discovered hybrid resonant topology are compared for high-voltage applications. Design criteria which incorporate transformer nonidealities are developed and used in the construction of high voltage prototypes for each topology. It is found that the parallel topology leads to the lowest peak switch current and the most ideal behavior. >

Self-tuning digitally controlled low-harmonic rectifier having fast dynamic response

This paper describes a completely digitally controlled high-performance low-harmonic rectifier. It is shown that the dynamics of the outer voltage loop can be significantly improved using a self-tuning digital comb filter. Low input current harmonics and fast voltage transient responses are experimentally verified on a 200 W universal-input boost rectifier operating at the switching frequency of 200 kHz.