Power Electronics 3

ECAD 2 Exercise The Buck Convertor

M3H606274 Derek Livingstone S1116776 3/9/2012

Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3 Conceptual design................................................................................................................................... 4 On State ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Off State ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Voltage Control ................................................................................................................................... 5 Voltage Ripple ..................................................................................................................................... 5 Switching ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Feedback Voltage (Closed Loop) ............................................................................................................. 6 Method 1 ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Method 1(A) (5uH Inductor) ............................................................................................................... 7 Method 1(B) (10uH Inductor) ............................................................................................................. 8 Method 1(A) (5uH Inductor) ........................................................................................................... 8 Method 1(B) (10uH Inductor) ......................................................................................................... 9 Method 2 ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Method 2 (feedback loop) ................................................................................................................ 10 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 11 Output voltage (Vo) .......................................................................................................................... 11 Ripple voltage ................................................................................................................................... 11 Feedback Loop .................................................................................................................................. 11 References ............................................................................................................................................ 12

Introduction

The main objective of this report is to study the operation of a buck converter. This will be done using Cadences Pspice simulation program. This report will confirm the relationship between the output voltage, input voltage and the duty cycle. (Vout = Vin x Duty Cycle)

An estimation of the Peak to Peak ripple voltage with the Inductor set at 5uH and 10uH will also be derived and commented on. Finally I will incorporate a voltage feedback loop using ABM, creating a switched mode power supply with the Pspice circuit. Two methods were used to derive the tasks set out under section C of the ECAD 2 exercise, the resultant methods and waveforms are included in this report. All results given in this report were derived from the steady state and not at a transient state to ensure accuracy of result.

Conceptual design The Dc-Dc step-down Buck converter or Switched Mode Power Supply is an efficient means of stepping down a DC voltage (Fig1). S1 delivers pulses of current to the output by being in one of two states - fully ON or fully OFF. Both of these states dissipate little power in Switch (S1).

Fig 1

On State S1 is on, this allows the inductor to deliver current to the load. The voltage across L (Vin Vo), the current rises linearly. This is determined by Vin Vout / L1 = I/T In the on state the capacitor smooths out the inductors current changes into a stable voltage at Vo. The capacitor is big enough such that the Vo value does not change by any great significance during a switching cycle. The diode that is in parallel with the capacitor is reversed biased and is not operational. Off State S1 is off, this allows the inductor to hold the current to the load. The current falls linearly through L as the inductors magnetic field collapses. The fall is determined by the voltage across the inductor and its inductance Vo + VD / L1 = I / T

The Inductors current direction remains the same, but the voltage has reversed as stated by Lenzs law. The inductor is maintaining current flow by reversing its voltage when the applied voltage is removed. When the left end of the inductor swings negative, the diode turns on, providing a path for the inductors current to flow. Voltage Control In the circuit in fig 1, we use a pulse width modulation signal to drive S1. The pulse signal comprises a switching period and an adjustable pulse width of Ton (time S1 is on), adjusting the duty cycle to get the output required. D = Ton/Ts. Vo = D x Vin Vo = Output Voltage D = Duty Cycle Vin = Input Voltage

Fig 2

The Vo (Output Voltage),can be adjusted by varying the duty cycle of the PWM. The Vo (ripple) can be adjusted by altering the values of the inductor and or capacitor. Voltage Ripple This is a very important factor in designing Buck convertors (SMPS). This is because the ripple it superimposed on Vo. This means that any equipment that the circuit is driving will suffer from these ripples. The ripple voltage can be controlled by two main methods Inductor and Capacitor sizing Altering the size of the capacitor and inductor will reduce the ripple. Decreasing the switching time.

Switching time

Switching The PWM unit (Fig2) is constantly cycling on off the switching frequency must be examined. This is generally in the order of 10s to 100s of KHz. This high frequency of switching is essential as the Harmonics at higher Frequency are easier removed, the delay time from input to output is smaller and the circuit components are very small and generally PCB based. Feedback Voltage (Closed Loop) The third part of the assignment was to utilise Analogue Behavioural Modelling and derive a suitable voltage feedback loop (Fig 3). A feedback loop is essential in a workable SMPS, this is because it allows the duty cycle of the PWM unit to be automatically altered, dependant on the load requirements. This in turn ensures a stable Vo.

Fig 3

Method 1

I extracted the circuit from the Folder provided and set the parameters as described in section C in the ECAD2 Exercise. I then ran the simulation with the Inductor set at a value of 5H. The waveforms for the voltage and current of the inductor and capacitor were recorded together with the output voltage. The resultant waveforms were recorded as Method 1 (A). The inductor was then changed to 10H and again the same waveforms were recorded. The resultant waveforms were recorded as Method 1 (B).

Method 1(A) (5uH Inductor)

Fig 4

Method 1(B) (10uH Inductor)

Fig 5 Method 1(A) (5uH Inductor)

Inductor 5uH Duty Cycle 0.75 Vin 8V

*All values were taken after 290uS to ensure that steady state conditions apply. VL (Inductor Voltage) IL (Inductor Current) IL (Mean) IL (Ripple) Pk to Pk IC (Capacitor Current) IC (Ripple) Pk to Pk Vo (Output Voltage) Vo (Mean) Vo (Ripple) Pk to Pk 2.2 Vpeak 13.1A (Max) 9.8A (Min) 11.45A 3.3A 1.6A (Max) -1.6A (Min) 3.2A 5.7 (Max) 5.659V (Min) 5.6795 A 41mV

Method 1(B) (10uH Inductor)

Inductor 10uH Duty Cycle 0.75 Vin 8V

*All values were taken after 290uS to ensure that steady state conditions apply. VL (Inductor Voltage) IL (Inductor Current) IL (Mean) IL (Ripple) Pk to Pk IC (Capacitor Current) IC (Ripple) Pk to Pk Vo (Output Voltage) Vo (Mean) Vo (ripple) Pk to Pk 2.2 Vpeak 12.16A (Max) 10.58A (Min) 11.37A 1.58 A 0.785 A (Max) -0.785 A (Min) 1.57 A 5.7 (Max) 5.679V (Min) 5.6895 A 21mV

Method 2 I extracted the circuit from the Folder provided and set the parameters as described in section C in the ECAD2 Exercise.

I sourced and inserted an ABM into the circuit, from the get part icon on the menu bar. I inserted this, along with another 6Vdc supply to see what effect a voltage feedback loop would have on the load.

I selected the simulate option from the drop down list and viewed the waveforms from the introduction of the ABM to the circuit. I then changed the K factor to a number of increasing values to see what effect this would have on the load.

Method 2 (feedback loop)

Gain (K) ABM 10 20 50 100 200 250

Vo (Output Voltage) 5.81 5.91 5.96 6.00 6.00 6.00

Conclusions Output voltage (Vo)

The recorded value for Vo (mean) for both Result A and B is 5.68V. This value falls short of the expected 6V shown below. It should be noted that the values recorded were for an open loop control system. As such there is no correcting system to allow for any losses within the design. When the feedback circuit was introduced the output voltage changed to the correct 6V. This confirms the relationship between the output voltage, input voltage and the duty cycle ( Vout = Vin x duty cycle).The K gain factor when set below 100 did not affect a great enough change in the Vo. The value of 100 would appear to be the optimum value of gain.

Vo = D x Vin

Vo = 0.75 * 8 = 6V

Ripple voltage
The results on the open loop system demonstrate that the ripple voltage decreases when the inductor is changed from 5uH to 10uH. The ripple halved from 40mV to 20mV. It should be noted that it was discovered through further testing that this relationship is not linear. It may be tempting to use a far larger capacitor and inductor, but as these component values increase so does their physical size as well. The other limiting factor is that the larger the values the slower the supply's

response time to input or load changes. Increasing the size can be counterproductive, as it would
increase the physical size of a SMPS as well as the cost of production. This reduction in ripple achieved by increasing the inductor, confirms the theory of operation that as the inductor increases the ripple voltage decreases.

Feedback Loop
The performance of the SMPS was greatly enhanced as a result of adding a feedback loop. This turned the device into a self regulating device. As the Vin and load change the Pulse Width Modulation alters the duty cycle to ensure the Vo is stable. Self regulation allows the SMPS to deliver a stable power supply to equipment even when there is a variation in regional or national supply. This protects the equipment being powered and ensures that the equipment functions as per manufacturers specifications, whilst supporting the portability of mobile devices globally.

References

http://www.ecircuitcenter.com/Circuits/smps_buck/smps_buck.htm accessed on 13/02/2012 10:00 Power Electronics Course Notes, Dr Mohamed E. Farrag Power Electronics 3rd Edition (McGraw Hill) Lander CW Chapter 6