Lab Experiment - Introduction To Switch Mode Power Supply
Lab Experiment - Introduction To Switch Mode Power Supply
Lab Experiment - Introduction To Switch Mode Power Supply
Vin
Rout Vout
To appreciate the need for a boost converter, consider that you have a 9-volt
battery but that you require additional voltages to energize various electronic circuitry,
for instance 12V, 15V and maybe 24V. Now one solution could be to resize the battery
for the maximum voltage required (here 24V) and then use buck choppers to efficiently
generate the lower levels. If this approach is not an option, then we need to consider the
boost converter. A separate lecture on the boost converter documents its principle of
operation, shows representative current waveforms, and develops design relationships to
aid in the selection of circuit components. This will not be repeated here in detail, but
some key results will be highlighted.
iL
switch
open
switched closed
I max
I min
t
DTs
Ts
The circuit for the boost converter is illustrated in Figure 1. For a given switching
period denoted by Ts , the switch is closed for a portion of the time, ton , and is open for
the remainder. This ratio of on time to switching period is termed the duty cycle,
designated by D. We then found that for continuous inductor current that the output
voltage was related to the input voltage by the following relation:
Vout =
Vin
1 D
Since D is constrained to be between 0 and 1, this implies that Vout Vin , hence a boost
converter. A representative waveform for the inductor current is illustrated in Figure 2.
For this current to be in the continuous mode, it must not fall to zero (that is, I min > 0 A ).
As indicated in lecture, we prefer to operate the converter in this mode. As a
consequence, we derived a necessary and sufficient condition to ensure that the inductor
current would remain continuous for all anticipated load conditions. This relationship
helped us identify the minimum inductance required for the converter.
R
(1 D ) D
= out ,max
2 fs
2
Lcrit
1
is the switching frequency and Rout ,max is the largest value of output
Ts
resistance anticipated. In our exercise today, our choice of L will be constrained and we
will resolve the equation to identify the minimum permissible switching frequency.
In the above, f s =
R
(1 D ) D
= out ,max
2L
2
f s ,min
The corresponding equations for the minimum and maximum inductor currents then
become.
I min =
I max =
Vin
Rout (1 D )
Vin
Rout (1 D )
Vin D
2 Lf s
Vin D
2 Lf s
We also derived a design requirement on the output capacitance based on the permitted
peak-to-peak ripple in the output voltage. Here we found that the capacitor had to be
sized to satisfy the following minimum constraint.
Cmin =
Vout D
Rout ,min f sVout , pp ,max
We could rearrange this relationship to identify the output ripple given a value of
capacitor.
Vout , pp ,max =
Vout D
Rout ,min Cf s
The final element that we need to discuss before pushing on to the exercise is the
implementation of the switch in Figure 1. This can be achieved by suitable selection of
Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), but today we will introduce a new friend called a
Power FET (Field-Effect Transistor). This is a voltage-controlled device (vice the
current-controlled BJT switch) that has very fast switching characteristics. Like the BJT,
the Power FET has three terminals: the gate, the drain, and the source. To make it look
like a switch, we need to apply an 8V signal to the gate to turn it on and a zero or
negative voltage (not less than 8V) to turn it off. The Tektronix CFG function generator
will be used to realize the pulse waveform and will enable us to adjust the duty cycle so
we can adjust the output voltage.
Section A. Theoretical Design
Given: The boost converter that you will build and evaluate must satisfy the following:
the input voltage is +5V, the output voltage must be adjustable for values of +10V, +15V,
and +20V, you must use a 1mH inductor, the output must stay continuous for load
resistances ranging from 500 Rout 2k , and the output capacitor has been selected
to be a 47 F aluminum electrolytic.
1. For each output voltage, identify the required duty cycle, calculate the minimum
permissible switching frequency, and then evaluate the theoretical output peak-topeak voltage ripple.
Vout
10V
15V
20V
fsmin
Voutpp
2. From the above, identify the switching frequency that will lead to continuous
current mode for each output voltage condition (round the value up to the nearest
integer multiple of 5kHz; for example, 145kHz or 150kHz). Calculate the
theoretical switch on-time based on the required duty cycle and the identified
switching frequency. Recalculate the anticipated maximum peak-to-peak output
ripple for the three output voltages. Finally, calculate the maximum and minimum
output power.
Switching Frequency: _______________
Vout
10V
15V
20V
Ton
Voutpp
Pmin
Pmax
1mH
UP1004
IRF510 FET
TOP VIEW
5V
Protoboard
Supply
D
G
47uF
Rout
S
Function
Generator
500
or
2k
Electrolytic
G D S
Vout
+10V
+15V
+20V
Dtheo
Dmeas
Voutpp
4. De-energize the function generator and then de-energize the proto-board supply.
Reconfigure the output load resistance so that the 1k resistors are in series. Reenergize the proto-board supply. Re-apply the function generator pulse waveform.
Repeat the measurements of step 3. Note, with different output power and current
flowing, we will have different losses and require a new duty cycle.
Vout
+10V
+15V
+20V
Dtheo
Dmeas
Voutpp
1mH
Rest of circuit, same as Figure 3.
10k, 1%
5V
Protoboard
Supply
10k, 1%
+15V
7
6
10k, 1%
Vout
-15V
10k, 1%
With the DMM, measure the DC value of the output of the differential amplifier.
Measured DC Input Current: _______________
9. Place the output of the differential amplifier on the scope (DC coupled). Note the
large spikes in the measured voltage waveform (also the current waveform since
this is a 1 resistor) at the switching instances. Attempt to ignore these spikes
and try to measure the values of I max and I min for this full-load condition.
Measured I max : ____________
Measured I min : ____________
10. Have the instructor verify your measurements.
INSTRUCTOR VERIFICATION: _______________
11. De-energize your function generator and then your proto-board supply. Remove
all piece components and return them to the appropriate bin drawer. Return all
proto and measurement equipment to the appropriate cabinet.