Research procedure for buck-boost

converter for small electric vehicles

Cite as: AIP Conference Proceedings 1910, 060020 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5014014
Published Online: 07 December 2017

Gergana Vacheva, Nikolay Hinov, and Dimitar Penev

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AIP Conference Proceedings 1910, 060020 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5014014 1910, 060020

© 2017 Author(s).
 Research Procedure for Buck-Boost Converter for Small
Electric Vehicles
Gergana Vacheva1, a), Nikolay Hinov2, b) and Dimitar Penev3, c)
1,2
Technical University of Sofia, Faculty of electronics and electronic technologies, Department of Power
Electronics, blvd. Kl. Ohridsky 8, Sofia, Bulgaria
3
Technical University of Sofia, Faculty of Automatics, Department of Control and Systems, blvd. Kl. Ohridsky 8,
Sofia, Bulgaria
a)
Corresponding author:gergana_vacheva@tu-sofia.bg
b)
hinov@tu-sofia.bg
c)
dim_penev@tu-sofia.bg

Abstract. In the current paper is developed a mathematical model realized in Matlab for describing a buck-boost converter
for control of small electric vehicle. The model is presented with differential equations which describes the processes in
the converter. Through the research of this model it can be accomplished the optimal work mode of a small electric vehicles.
The proposed converter can be used in a wide range of applications like small electric vehicles, smart grids and different
systems for energy storage.

INTRODUCTION

Alongside with the development of the modern technologies the percent of usage of electric vehicles (EV) had
significantly grew in the social sphere. In some countries the development of green vehicle is increasing with the
purpose to preserve the environment. The main idea of EV is to use electric energy and convert it to mechanical. For
the improvement of the energy efficiency in the EV charged by batteries and/or supercapacitors the charging and
discharging cycles must be managed with the aid of a smart controller. Most commonly for achieving the optimal
operation mode conditions for the control of the energy flows it is necessary to use bidirectional converters [1-3]. The
use of buck-boost DC/DC converters is justified due to the necessity for adjusting of the voltage and current at
recuperation mode.

MATHEMATICAL MODEL

A mathematical model that describes the work of the buck-boost DC/DC converter for control of different dynamic
cycles of the EV is developed. On Fig. 1. is represented the circuit topology of the converter with their composing
elements and inner resistances. The content in Table 1 is the designation of the elements and their values used for the
realization of the simulations. The differential equations describe the work of the scheme while the transistor is turned
on and off.

Proceedings of the 43rd International Conference Applications of Mathematics in Engineering and Economics
AIP Conf. Proc. 1910, 060020-1–060020-6; https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5014014
Published by AIP Publishing. 978-0-7354-1602-4/$30.00

060020-1
 RON D RF

VT VD
VF
RI L RUC

Ed
RL CUC

FIGURE 1. Circuit topology of buck-boost converter

TABLE 1
Variables Indication Values
Resistance of the supercapacitor Ruc 3.2*10-3 [Ω]
Capacitance of the capacitor Cuc 100*10-6 [F]
Frequency F 10*103 [Hz]
Inductance L 40*10-3 [H]
Period tp 2/pi/f
Input voltage Ed 20 [V]
Resistance of the inductance Rl 5*10-3 [Ω]
Resistance of the transistor
when is on Ron 10*10-3 [Ω]
Resistance of the voltage source Ri 10*10-3 [Ω]
Resistance of the diode Rf 5*10-3 [Ω]

The following differential equations described the process in the buck-boost converter:
Case 1: when the transistor is on:
𝑑𝑖 (𝑡)
𝐿 𝐿 = 𝐸𝑑 − (𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅𝑜𝑛 + 𝑅𝐼 )𝑖𝐿 (1)
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑈𝑐 (𝑡)
𝐶𝑈𝐶 =0 (2)
𝑑𝑡
Case 2: when transistor is off:
𝑑𝑖𝐿 (𝑡)
𝐿 + (𝑅𝐿 + 𝑅𝐹 + 𝑅𝑈𝑐 )𝑖𝐿 +𝑈𝑈𝐶 = 0 (3)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑈𝑐 (𝑡)
𝐶𝑈𝐶 = 𝑖𝐿 (𝑡) (4)
𝑑𝑡

REALIZATION

The following source code shown in Table 2. is based on the created in Matlab mathematical model.

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 TABLE 2
Source code of the realized
mathematical model
function dy=buck_boost(t,y)
if t <= d*tp
dy(1)=Ed/L-(Rl+Ron+Ri)*y(1)/L;
dy(2)=0;
else
if y(1)>0
dy(1)=(-(Rl+Rf+Ruc)*y(1)-y(2))/L ;
dy(2)=y(1)/C;
end
end
end

The process in the buck-boost converter is controlled by a proportional-integral regulator. The main purpose is to
limit the output current of the inductance based on the reference. On Figure 2. is presented the block scheme of the
controller. It consist of proportional (P) and integral (I) component which regulate the current. The operation modes
of the converter are defined by duty cycle D. The adjustment characteristic can be described with the following
𝑈 𝛿
equation: 𝑜𝑢𝑡 = .
𝑈𝑖𝑛 1−𝛿

FIGURE 2. Block scheme of the PI regulator

RESULTS
Thanks to the development of the mathematical model are received simulation results that confirm the correct
work relative to the assessments of the buck-boost converter. On Figure 3. using the red color is represented the current
through the inductance and in blue is the voltage of the capacitor. Within the predefined given conditions for the
limitation of the current to 40 A, on the shown figure it is observed that the regulator operates correctly under the
established proportional-integral coefficient. This leads us to the conclusion that the developed model is reliable and
could be utilized within various types of systems [6-8].

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 FIGURE 3. Output curent and output voltage

OPERATION MODES OF EV IN MICRO AND NANOGRIDS

Considering the obtained results and the verification of the mathematical model the bidirectional converter is
suitable for the usage in different dynamic modes for control of energy flows in micro and nanogrids. At the following
figures (fig. 4 and fig. 5) are presented the characteristic charging profiles of the presented small EV in typical charge
modes and by different values of the initial State Of Charge (SoC) - the maximum charging power is given as a
function of the batteries SoC. The charging devices should provide relatively high instantaneous power, low cost and
high efficiency of the power conversion [13-14]. A classification of charging devices storage station can be made by
the following parameters:
 location of the storage devices: on-board and off-board charger;
 direction of the energy flows: unidirectional and bidirectional charging devices;
 mode of charge: normal and fast (high-power) charge.

Mode 1 -3,6kW SOCi=20%

4

P , kW 2

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
SoC , %

FIGURE 4. Mode 1 -3,6 kW,SoC=20% (normal charge)

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 Mode 2 fast charging (EVInside)
SOC init = 30%
40

30

P , kW 20

10

0
0 20 40 60 80 100
SoC , %

FIGURE 5. Mode 2 - SoC=30% (fast charge)

CONCLUSION

In the current paperwork is presented a mathematical model of a buck-boost converter for utilization in small
electric vehicle. The proposed control technique with PI regulator is suitable for a small electric vehicles. The model
can achieve various applications in analysis of dynamic modes due to its flexibility, convenience and multi-
functionality. The realized model has simple configurations and higher reliability and it is appropriate for utilization
in small EV.
Several applications of the elaborated model are discussed within the paper. The introduction of a bidirectional
DC/DC converter allows the smart control of the energy flows in micro and nanogrids. Typical charging modes (
normal charge and fast charge ) are visually represented with various values of the batteries state of charge ( SoC ) of
a small EV. In future works it is predicted the development and verification of multiple mathematical models for the
research of the influence of the charging device of the EV and the elaboration of an optimal operating modes in micro
and nanogrids.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie and the Bulgarian National Fund for
Scientific Research for funding this research work under project „Gestion intelligente des flux énergétiques dans des
micro- et nano-réseaux” .

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