ATENEO DE DAVAO UNIVERSITY

E. JACINTO ST., DAVAO CITY

BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER

A TECHNICAL REPORT

SUBMITTED TO ENGR. EDU DARYL C. MACEREN, MEE

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN
ECE 515: FEEDBACK AND CONTROL SYSTEMS LAB

BY:
BATUIGAS, LEVI DEO
DELIMA, LOWELL
DIAGBEL, ALEXIS
PADAYAO, JOWETT MILLAN
TAN, VICTOR COLIN

DAVAO CITY
OCTOBER 2017
 INTRODUCTION

To fully understand the concept behind the buck-boost converter, it is essential

that the basic concept behind the buck converter and boost converter is discussed.

Beginning with the buck converter, it is a switch mode DC to DC electronic

converter in which the output voltage will be converted to a level less than the input
voltage. Buck converter is also known as the step-down converter, from the name itself,
it implies that the output voltage is stepped down to a level lower than the input voltage.
By the law of conservation of energy, the input power has always to be equal to output
power assuming that there are no losses in the circuit.

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡

Since the input voltage is always greater than the output voltage of a buck
converter, the output current will always be greater than the input current.

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑉𝑖𝑛 > 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑖𝑛 < 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡

In the buck converter, the inductor in the input side of the circuit resists sudden
variations in the input current. When the switch in the circuit is turned on, the inductor
stores energy in the form of magnetic energy, and when the circuit is closed, the energy
that was stored will be discharged. The capacitor on the output side of the circuit is
assumed large enough and the time constant of an RC circuit in the output stage is
high. This ensures a constant output voltage.

Unlike the buck converter in which the input voltage is greater than the output
voltage, the boost converter is a switch mode DC to DC converter in which the output
voltage is greater than the input voltage. It is also known as the step-up converter.
Same as the buck converter, the boost converter also follows the law of conservation of
energy. However, since the output voltage is greater than the input voltage in a boost
converter, it follows then that the output current is less than the input current. Another
difference of the buck converter and boost converter is their principle of operation. In
buck converter, the inductor stores energy if the switch is on, and in the boost converter
the inductor stores energy if the switch is off.

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑉𝑖𝑛 < 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡

𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑖𝑛 > 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡

The buck-boost converter is a combination of the buck converter and a boost

converter, and that is the output voltage can either be higher or lower than the input
voltage just like a buck converter and a boost converter. However, in the buck-boost
converter, the output voltage is opposite in polarity from the input voltage. The input
current for a buck-boost power stage is discontinuous or pulsating due to the power
switch current that pulses from zero to the value of the current passing in the conductor
every switching cycle. The output current for a buck-boost power stage is also
discontinuous or pulsating. This is because the output diode only conducts during a
portion of the switching cycle. The output capacitor supplies the entire load current for
the rest of the switching cycle. The figure below shows a simplified schematic of a buck-
boost converter.

Where the power switch, Q1, is an n-channel MOSFET and CR1 is the output
diode. During normal operation of the buck-boost power stage, Q1 is repeatedly
switched on and off with the on- and off-time. This switching action gives rise to a train
of pulses at the junction of Q1, CR1, and L. Although the inductor, L, is connected to the
output capacitor, C, only when CR1 conducts, an effective L/C output filter is formed. It
filters the train of pulses to produce a DC output voltage.
 A buck-boost converter can operate in continuous or discontinuous inductor
current mode. It is very desirable for a converter to stay in one mode only over its
expected operating conditions because the power stage frequency response changes
significantly between the two different modes of operation. In analyzing this, for this
analysis, an n-channel power MOSFET is used and a positive voltage, VGS, is applied
from the Gate to the Source terminals of Q1 by the drive circuit to turn ON the FET. The
advantage of using an n-channel FET is its lower RDS, but the drive circuit is more
complicated because a floating drive is required. For the same die size, a p-channel
FET has a higher RDS but usually does not require a floating drive circuit.

In continuous conduction mode, the buck-boost converter assumes two states

per switching cycle. The ON State is when Q1 is ON, and CR1 is OFF. The OFF State is
when Q1 is OFF, and CR1 is ON. A simple linear circuit can represent each of the two
states where the switches in the circuit are replaced by their equivalent circuit during
each state. Shown in the figure below is the circuit for the ON and OFF state.

The duration of the On State is

D x TS = TOn

where D is the duty cycle (set by the control circuit) expressed as a ratio of the switch
on time to the time of one complete cycle (TS).

The duration of the Off State is

(1-D) x TS = TOff

Inductor Current
 𝑑𝑖𝐿
VL = L x 𝑑𝑡

𝑉𝐿
𝛥𝐿 = 𝑥 𝛥𝑇
𝐿

Inductor Current Increase (at ON STATE)

𝑉𝐼 − (𝑉𝐷𝑆 + 𝐼𝐿 𝑥 𝑅𝐿 )
𝛥𝐿 (+) = 𝑥 𝑇𝑂𝑁
𝐿

Where ΔL(+) refers to the inductor ripple current

Inductor Current Decrease (at OFF STATE)

−( 𝑉𝑂 − 𝑉𝑑 − 𝐼𝐿 𝑥 𝑅𝐿 )
𝛥𝐿 (−) = 𝑥 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
𝐿

Where ΔL(-) is still referred to as the inductor ripple current

During steady state conditions, the current increasing during ON time must be equal to
the current decreasing during OFF time. Otherwise, the current which is coming from
the inductor would have a net increase or decrease causing the system to not have a
steady state condition. As such, both equations can be equated to solve for V O.

To solve for VO

𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝑇𝑂𝑁 + 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹

𝑉𝑂 = −[(𝑉𝐼 − 𝑉𝐷𝑆 ) 𝑥 − 𝑉𝑑 − 𝐼𝐿 𝑥 𝑅𝐿 𝑥
𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹

𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
Since 𝑇𝑆 is equal to 𝑇𝑂𝑁 + 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹 ; D = ; (1-D) =
𝑇𝑆 𝑇𝑆

Variation for Vo

𝐷 𝐼𝐿 𝑥 𝑅𝐿
𝑉𝑂 = −[(𝑉𝐼 − 𝑉𝐷𝑆 ) 𝑥 − 𝑉𝑑 −
1−𝐷 1−𝐷
 The variation for VO indicates that the value of VO can be adjusted by adjusting
the duty cycle D. The relationship approaches zero as D approaches zero and
increases without bounds as D approaches 1.

Simplified Vo

𝐷
𝑉𝑂 = −𝑉𝐼 𝑥
1−𝐷

Where VDS , Vd , and RL are considered negligible because of their small values. Thus,
the relationship between the average inductor current and the output current for the
continuous mode buck-boost power stage is given by:

𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
𝐼𝐿(𝐴𝑣𝑔) 𝑥 = 𝐼𝐿 (𝐴𝑣𝑔) 𝑥 (1 − 𝐷) = −𝐼𝑂 or
𝑇𝑆

−𝐼𝑂
𝐼𝐿(𝐴𝑣𝑔) =
(1 − 𝐷)

As for the discontinuous conduction mode, the output load current is reduced
below the critical current level; the inductor current will be zero for a portion of the
switching cycle. Since the peak to peak amplitude of the ripple current does not change
with output load current. In a buck-boost power stage, if the inductor current falls below
zero, it stops at zero and remains there until the beginning of the next switching cycle.
This operating mode is called discontinuous conduction mode. A power stage operating
in discontinuous conduction mode has three unique states during each switching cycle
as opposed to two states for continuous conduction mode. This is where the inductor
current just falls to zero, and the next switching cycle begins immediately after the
current reaches zero.

Having the basic concept of the buck boost converter discussed, it is time to
incorporate the concept learned with working equations. Take for example if we want to
identify the change in the output voltage at a specific set-up through basing it on its duty
cycle. To solve for the change in output voltage, the following assumptions and situation
must be set.
Assumptions and Situation:

To solve for the change in output voltage, it is important to consider whether the
buck boost converter operates in continuous or discontinuous mode. In this case we
assume that the buck boost converter operates in continuous conduction mode, ON
state.

Vd = 12V VO = 15V Io = 250mA L= 150μH C= 470μF fs = 20kHz

𝛥𝑉𝑂 = ?

Goal:

The goal is to incorporate the concept discussed to the working equations laid
out in order to solve for the change in output voltage using mathematical method,
present the corresponding block diagram, and to identify the state space equation for an
ideal buck-boost converter.

Procedure and Computation:

𝐷
𝛥𝑉𝑂 = 𝑉𝑂
𝑅𝐶𝑓𝑠
𝑉𝑂 −𝐷
= |1−𝐷|
𝑉𝑑

15 −𝐷
= |1−𝐷|
12

D= 15/27

V=IR; R= V/I
 R= 15/0.25
R= 60Ω
Thus;
15
𝛥𝑉𝑂 = 15 27
(60)(470𝑥 10−6 )(20𝑥103 )
𝛥𝑉𝑂 = 14.775𝑚𝑉
Diagram:

Ḋ Î
Vi + + Vo

+ -
T1 (S)

Where:

 Ḋ is the duty cycle, set by the control circuit.

 T(S) is the time of one complete switching cycle.
 Î refers to the current that flows through the inductor or the capacitor (either
switch ON – Boost or switch OFF – Buck)
 Vi is the input voltage
 Vo is the output voltage
 FD refers to the value of the parameters for a certain duty cycle
 F(S) refers to the total value of the parameter in either switch ON (Boost) or
switch OFF (BUCK)
 RDS is the low resistance due to the n-channel MOSFET
 R is the resistance of the resistor on switch ON (Boost) power stage
 H is the value of inductance of the inductor for switch ON (Boost) power stage
 K is the value of capacitance of capacitor for switch OFF (Buck) power stage
Results and Discussion:

State Space Equation

MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) – voltage-based

transistor

State Variables: 𝑖(𝑡), 𝑣(𝑡)

𝑖(𝑡)
 State Vector: 𝑥(𝑡) = [ ]
𝑣(𝑡)
𝑖𝑠 (𝑡)
 Input Vector: 𝑢(𝑡) = [ ]
𝑉𝐷
 Output Vector: 𝑦(𝑡) = [𝑖𝑠 (𝑡)]
where 𝑖𝑠 (𝑡) is the current source and 𝑉𝐷 is the diode forward voltage drop

Boost Mode:
 𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
𝐿 = 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡) − 𝑅1 𝑖(𝑡) 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡)
𝐶 =− 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑅2

𝑖𝑠 (𝑡) = 𝑖(𝑡) 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 3

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 1:

𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡) 𝑅1 𝑖(𝑡)

= −
𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝐿

𝑣𝑠 (𝑡) 𝑅1 𝑖(𝑡)
̇ =
𝑖(𝑡) −
𝐿 𝐿

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2:

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡)
=−
𝑑𝑡 𝑅2 𝐶

𝑣(𝑡)
̇ =−
𝑣(𝑡)
𝑅2 𝐶

𝑅1
̇ − 0 1
𝑖(𝑡) 𝐿 𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣 (𝑡)
[ ]= 1 [ ] + [𝐿 0] [ 𝑠 ]
𝑣(𝑡) ̇ 𝑣(𝑡) 𝑉𝐷
0 − 0 0
[ 𝑅2 𝐶]

Say we are interested in the source current as output and by using 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 3:

𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡)
[𝑖𝑠 (𝑡)] = [1 0] [ ] + [0 0] [ ]
𝑣(𝑡) 𝑉𝐷
Buck Mode:

𝑑𝑖(𝑡)
𝐿 = 𝑣(𝑡) − 𝑉𝐷 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 4
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡)
𝐶 =− − 𝑖(𝑡) 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5
𝑑𝑡 𝑅2

𝑖𝑠 (𝑡) = 0 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 6

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 4:

𝑑𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡) 𝑉𝐷
= −
𝑑𝑡 𝐿 𝐿

𝑣(𝑡) 𝑉𝐷
̇ =
𝑖(𝑡) −
𝐿 𝐿

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 5:

𝑑𝑣(𝑡) 𝑣(𝑡) 𝑖(𝑡)

=− −
𝑑𝑡 𝑅2 𝐶 𝐶
 𝑣(𝑡) 𝑖(𝑡)
̇ =−
𝑣(𝑡) −
𝑅2 𝐶 𝐶

1
̇ 0 1
𝑖(𝑡) 𝐿 𝑖(𝑡) 0 − ] [𝑣𝑠 (𝑡)]
[ ]= 1 [
1 𝑣(𝑡) ] + [ 𝐿
𝑣(𝑡) ̇ 𝑉𝐷
− − 0 0
[ 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶]

Say we are interested in the source current as output and by using 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 6:

𝑖(𝑡) 𝑣𝑠 (𝑡)
[𝑖𝑠 (𝑡)] = [0 0] [ ] + [0 0] [ ]
𝑣(𝑡) 𝑉𝐷

Averaged matrices of the buck-boost converter:

𝑅1
− 0
𝐿
𝐴1 = 1
0 −
[ 𝑅2 𝐶]

1
0
𝐿
𝐴2 = 1 1
− −
[ 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶]

𝐴 = 𝐴1 𝐷 + 𝐴2 𝐷́

𝑅1 1
− 0 0
𝐿 𝐿 ́
𝐴= 1 𝐷+ 1 1 𝐷
0 − − −
[ 𝑅2 𝐶] [ 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶]
 𝑅1 𝐷 𝐷́
−
𝐿 𝐿
𝐴=
𝐷́ 1
− −
[ 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶]

𝐷 𝐷́
𝐵 = [− 𝐿 𝐿]
0 0

𝐶 = [𝐷 0]

𝐸=0

DC State Equations of the buck-boost converter:

𝐴𝑋 + 𝐵𝑈 = 𝑋̇

𝐶𝑋 + 𝐸𝑈 = 𝑌

𝑅1 𝐷 𝐷́
− 𝐷 𝐷́ 𝑉
𝐿 𝐿 𝐼
̇
𝑋= [ ] + [− 𝐿 𝑠
𝐿 ] [𝑉𝐷 ] = 0
𝐷́ 1 𝑉
− − 0 0
[ 𝐶 𝑅2 𝐶]

𝐼
𝑌 = 𝐼𝑠 = [𝐷 0] [ ]
𝑉

DC Solution:
 𝐷 1
𝐼 1 𝑅 𝐷́2 𝑅2 𝐷́ 𝑉𝑠
[ ]=( ) 2 [ ]
𝑉 𝑅 𝐷 𝑉𝐷
1 + 1́ 2 − 𝐷 1
𝑅2 𝐷 [ 𝐷́2 ]

1 𝐷2 𝐷 𝑉
𝐼𝑠 = ( )[ ][ 𝑠]
𝑅 𝐷 ́2 ́ 𝑉
1 + 1 ́ 2 𝑅2 𝐷 𝑅2 𝐷 𝐷
𝑅2 𝐷

Recommendations and Conclusion: (Verification of result)

If the input voltage has a tendency to change and a desired constant voltage is
needed for a certain circuit, a buck-boost converter can be used. One good advantage
for the buck-boost converter is that it has a capacity to lower a higher input voltage to
the desired output voltage and to increase a low input voltage to the desired output
voltage. Also, a buck-boost converter can b used to stabilize the system.