NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

AY 2019-20 Semester II
EE-4503: Project-Based Lab Experiment 1
DC-DC CONVERTERS

Student Name: GA Name:

Matric Number:
Take note:
1) As you will be working with high voltage, please wear proper footwear.
2) Please print out/save all the waveforms required.
3) Please verify the connections once you connect the hardware circuits. Tidy all the wires
after finishing the experiments.
4) All students are requested to complete the simulations at home using computer software,
PLECs. However, students are allowed to carry out simulation for first one hour during
laboratory time.
5) For any issues, feel free to ask GAs.

Main objective:
Transformers are used to convert voltage and current levels of AC power. When DC voltage
and current levels are required to be converted, DC-DC converters (DC Choppers) are used.
The main objective of this part of the experiment is to study DC to DC converter system.
Broadly, the DC-DC converters are classified into two types-

a. Buck type (Discussion 1)

b. Boost type (Discussion 2)

When the required output DC voltage is lower than the input DC voltage, buck type DC-DC
converters are used. Whereas, when the required output DC voltage is more than the input
DC voltage, boost type DC-DC converters are used. During this part of the experiment, both
buck and boost type of the DC-DC converters will be studied.
Discussions:
Discussion 1: Buck Mode

Buck converter steps down DC voltage level i.e. it converts high voltage DC power to low
voltage DC power. A buck converter circuit consists of:

a. Semiconductor switch
b. Diode
c. Load (Resistive)
d. Capacitor
e. Inductor
f. DC voltage source

Fig 1 shows the power circuit configuration of a buck converter feeding a passive resistive
load. When the semiconductor switch, S switches on, the input DC Voltage, Vi is applied to
the load. Diode D is reversed biased during this period and current flowing in the inductor, iL
and therefore in the load, i0 starts to increase. When the semiconductor switch, S is switched
off, the input DC voltage, Vi is no longer applied to the load, the diode D starts to conduct
and current continues to flow in the load through diode D, but it starts to decrease. Diode, D
provides the alternative path for the load current, which continues to flow when
semiconductor switch, S is off.

L
iL i0
S + VL -
+
Vi VD D C R Vo
-

Fig 1: Circuit Schematic of Buck Converter

The DC voltage at buck chopper output, Vo is proportional to the chopper input voltage, Vi
and duty cycle, D of switching signal for semiconductor switch as expressed in eqn (1).
 𝑉𝑖 ∗𝑇𝑜𝑛
𝑉0 = = 𝑉𝑖 ∗ 𝐷 ---- (1)
𝑇
Vi - average input DC voltage in V
VO - average output DC voltage in V
Ton - turn on time for semiconductor switch in micro-sec
T - time period of one electrical cycle in micro-sec
D - duty cycle of switching signal

The output voltage can be varied by varying the duty cycle, D of the semiconductor switch, S.
Ideally, the duty cycle, D can vary from 0 to 1, but practically duty cycle is maintained
between 0.25 and 0.75. So, the output voltage, Vo is always less than the input voltage, Vi.
Output voltage and current are independent of the switching frequency, fs but current ripple
decreases as the frequency of switching signal increases. Fig. 2 shows current and voltage
waveforms of buck converter.

S ON OFF ON

Vi

Vo

Vi
VD

Vi -Vo
VL

iL

0 DTs Ts

Fig 2: Operation of Buck Converter

Power delivered to the load is ideally equal to the input power to the DC chopper. However,
due to non-ideal devices, losses do occur in semiconductor switch and passive devices which
make efficiency less than 100%.

𝑃𝑂
Power efficiency = ( ) ∗ 100%
𝑃𝐼

The operation of the buck type converters can be divided into two modes. 1. Continuous
mode and 2. Discontinuous mode. During continuous mode of operation, the current in the
inductor, iL is continuous whereas during discontinuous mode, the current in the inductor, iL
becomes discontinuous. It is important to note here that, the voltage gain equation shown in
(1) is valid only if the converter operates in continuous mode.

Simulation 1: Buck Converter (Student should complete PLECs simulation before

coming for the laboratory experiment)
Use the “Expt1_part1_Buck.plecs” file for executing the PLECS model. In this exercise, you
would study the operation of the buck converter.

(a) Simulation parameters: Set the following parameters

Input voltage = 50V, Switching frequency = 5 kHz, Duty cycle, Inductance, L = 22.8 mH,
Capacitance, C = 6.5 µF, Load resistance, R = 300 Ω

Determine the output voltages for duty cycles (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7). Determine if the
voltage gain (output voltage/input voltage) follows linear relationship or not? Show the
inductor current and output voltage waveforms for D = 0.5. Determine the output voltage
ripple and inductor current ripple at D = 0.5.

(b) Reduce the switching frequency to 1 kHz. Determine the output voltage, V0 for duty
cycle, D (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7). Determine if the voltage gain (output voltage/input
voltage) follows linear relationship or not? Show the inductor current and output voltage
waveforms for D = 0.5. Determine the output voltage ripple and inductor current ripple at D
= 0.5.
(c) Change the switching frequency to 5 kHz and increase the load resistance to 1200 Ω. For
D = 0.5, determine the voltage gain and show the inductor current and output voltage
waveforms.

Inductor

Switch
Diode

Capacitor

Resistor
Vin
Gating Signal

Fig 3: Connection Diagram of Buck Converter Circuit

Fig 4: Simulation Results for Buck Type Converter

 CAUTION!
High voltages are present in this laboratory experiment! Do not make or
modify any banana jack connections with the mains power supply ON.

Experimental Procedures:
(1) Lab-volt System;
You will perform the experiment with the LAB-volt system [1], which provides the
following modules for this lab.
 Power supplies and autotransformer
 Inductors
 Power diodes
 Power MOSFETS
 A chopper/inverter control unit,
 Resistive loads
 Current/Voltage Isolator for measurements

Familiarize yourself with the system with the help of the lab instructor.

(2) Capacitors;

(3) Control and display:

Familiarize yourself with LVAC-EMS software to control the power converters and to
observe the current/voltage waveforms.
 Fig 5: Buck Chopper (High side switching)

Fig 6: Buck Chopper Connection (High side switching)

1. Make connections for Buck Converter as shown in Fig. 6. The circuit parameters to be
used are:

i. Load resistor = 300 Ω

ii. Inductor = 22.8 mH (refer to the appendix at the end of the manual to
obtain required inductance value)

iii. Capacitor = 6.5 μF

2. Connect Voltmeter (any one of E1, E2, E3, E4) to measure load voltage and Ammeter
(one of I1, I2, I3, I4) to measure inductor current

3. Turn ON the hardware setup

4. Open LVAC-EMS from the desktop of the computer

5. Select 240 V, 50 Hz for power supply and Com 3 for port

6. Open dynamometer control from the software

7. Set DC input value as 50 V

8. Open IGBT chopper control from the software

9. Select buck chopper (high side switching) from the menu

10. Set switching frequency at 5000 Hz

11. Set duty cycle as 30%

12. Start the dynamometer control and the IGBT chopper controls

13. Open the oscilloscope from the software

14. Select the measurement ports

15. Click on auto refresh and observe the waveforms – output voltage and inductor currents

16. Proceed as instructed in Task 1, Task 2 and Task 3

Task-1:

Vary the duty cycle (D) from 30 to 70 with the steps of 10 and determine the output voltage

Switching Frequency= 5000 Hz

D V0

30

40

50

60

70

1. Save the waveform for D = 50 and note down the voltage and current ripple values

2. Plot the voltage gain (Vo/Vi) with respect the duty cycle. Check if voltage gain
follows a linear relationship or not
Task-2:

Reduce the switching frequency to 1 kHz. Vary the duty cycle (D) from 30 to 70 with the
steps of 10 and determine the output voltage

Switching Frequency= 1000 Hz

D V0

30

40

50

60

70

1. Save the waveform for D = 50 and note down the voltage and current ripple values

2. Plot the voltage gain (Vo/Vi) with respect the duty cycle. Check if voltage gain
follows a linear relationship or not

Task-3

Change the switching frequency to 5000 Hz and increase the load resistance to 1200 Ω. For D
= 50, determine the voltage gain and save the inductor current and output voltage waveform.
Discussion 2: Boost Mode
Boost converter steps up DC voltage level i.e. it converts low voltage DC level to high
voltage DC level. A boost converter circuit consists of:
a. Semiconductor switch
b. Diode
c. Load (Resistive)
d. Capacitor
e. Inductor
f. DC voltage source
Fig 7 shows the power circuit configuration of a boost converter feeding a resistive load.

L VD
+ -
VL iL i0
D
+
Vi S C R Vo
-

Fig 7: Circuit Schematic of Boost Converter

When semiconductor switch, S is switched on, the voltage across its terminals becomes
virtually null; the dc power supply voltage is applied to the inductor and inductor current
starts increasing. At the same instant, the diode, D is reversed biased. The capacitor, C starts
discharging to the load and both load current and voltage start decreasing. When S is turned
off, the voltage across its terminal increases rapidly until it reaches approximately (VO+0.7).
At this moment, the diode, D is forward biased; current equal to IL-IO starts to flow into the
capacitor charging up the capacitor and both VO and IO start to increase.
 ON OFF ON

Vi

Vo

VD
Vo

Vi
VL
Vi-Vo

iL
0 DTs Ts

Fig 8: Operation of Boost Converter

The DC output voltage, Vo of the boost converter output is directly proportional to the input
voltage, Vi and inversely proportional to the duty cycle, (1-D) of the switch as given in eqn.
(2)

𝑉𝑖
𝑉𝑂 = ---- (2)
(1−𝐷)

Thus, the output voltage, Vo can be varied by varying the duty cycle, D. In theory, the duty
cycle can vary ideally from 0 to 1, but in practice it varies between 0.25 to 0.75. So, the
output voltage, Vo varies a little higher than input voltage to few times higher than the input
voltage, Vi. Varying the frequency of the switching signal does not vary the output voltage
and current at the boost converter output. However, the ripple in the output voltage decreases
as the frequency of the switching signal increases.
Similarly due to non-ideal devices and losses on passive components, boost converter
efficiency is less than 100%. It is expressed as:

𝑃𝑂
Power efficiency = ( ) ∗ 100%
𝑃𝐼

Simulation 2: Boost Converter (Student should complete PLECs simulation before

coming for the laboratory experiment)
Use the “Expt1_part2_Boost.plecs” file for executing the PLECS model. In this exercise, you
would study the operation of the boost converter.

(a) Simulation parameters: Set the following parameters

Input voltage = 25 V, Switching frequency = 5 kHz, Duty cycle, Inductance, L = 11.4 mH,
Capacitance, C = 406.5 µH, Load resistance, R = 300 Ω

Determine the output voltages for duty cycles (0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7). Determine if the
voltage gain (output voltage/input voltage) follows linear relationship or not? Show the
inductor current and output voltage waveforms for D = 0.5. Determine the output voltage and
inductor current ripple at D = 0.5.

(b) Reduce the switching frequency to 1 kHz. Determine the output voltages for duty cycles
(0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7). Determine if the voltage gain (output voltage/input voltage)
follows linear relationship or not? Show the inductor current and output voltage waveforms
for D=0.5. Also note the ripples in both the waveforms at D = 0.5

(c) Change the switching frequency to 5 kHz and increase the load resistance to 1200 Ω. For
D = 0.5, determine the voltage gain and show the inductor current and output voltage
waveforms.
Fig. 9: Connection Diagram of Boost Converter Circuit

Fig 10: Simulation Results for Boost Type Converter

 CAUTION!
High voltages are present in this laboratory experiment! Do not make or
modify any banana jack connections with the mains power supply ON.

Experimental Procedures:
(4) Lab-volt System;
You will perform the experiment with the LAB-volt system [1], which provides the
following modules for this lab.
 Power supplies and autotransformer,
 Inductors,
 Power diodes;
 Power MOSFETS
 A chopper/inverter control unit,
 Resistive loads;
 Current/Voltage Isolator for measurements.

Familiarize yourself with the system with help of the lab instructor.

(5) Capacitors;

(6) Control and display:

Familiarize yourself with LVAC-EMS software to control the power converters and to
observe the current/voltage waveforms.
 Fig 11: Boost Chopper

Fig 12: Boost Chopper Connection

1. Make connections for Boost Converter as shown in Fig. 12. The circuit parameters to be
used are:

i. Load resistor = 300 Ω

ii. Inductor = 11.4 mH (refer to the appendix at the end of the manual to
obtain required inductance value)

iii. Capacitor = 400 μF *Note* Cbus = 400 μF

2. Connect Voltmeter (any one of E1, E2, E3, E4) to measure load voltage and Ammeter
(one of I1, I2, I3, I4) to measure inductor current

3. Turn ON the hardware setup

4. Open LVAC-EMS from the desktop of the computer

5. Select 240 V, 50 Hz for power supply and Com 3 for port

6. Open dynamometer control from the software

7. Set DC input value as 25 V

8. Open IGBT chopper control from the software

9. Select boost chopper from the menu

10. Set switching frequency at 5000 Hz

11. Set duty cycle as 30%

12. Start the dynamometer control and the IGBT chopper controls

13. Open the oscilloscope from the software

14. Select the measurement ports

15. Click on auto refresh and observe the waveforms – output voltage and inductor currents

16. Proceed as instructed in Task 1, Task 2 and Task 3

Task-1:

Vary the duty cycle (D) from 30 to 70 with the steps of 10 and determine the output voltage

Switching frequency = 5000 Hz

D Vo

30

40

50

60

70

1. Save the waveform for D = 50 and note down the voltage and current ripple values

2. Plot the voltage gain (Vo/Vi) with respect the duty cycle. Check if voltage gain
follows a linear relationship or not
Task-2:

Reduce the switching frequency to 1000 Hz. Vary the duty cycle (D) from 30 to 70 with the
steps of 10 and determine the output voltage

Switching frequency = 1000 Hz

D Vo

30

40

50

60

70

1. Save the waveform for D = 50 and note down the voltage and current ripple values

2. Plot the voltage gain (Vo/Vi) with respect the duty cycle. Check if voltage gain
follows a linear relationship or not

Task-3

Change the switching frequency to 5000 Hz and increase the load resistance to 1200 Ω. For
D= 50, determine the voltage gain and save the inductor current and output voltage
waveform.
Appendix
Inductor Measurements
Value of each inductor in the module = 5.7 mH
Series connection of inductors (different core) = 11.4 mH
Parallel connection of inductors (different core) = 2.85 mH
Series connection of inductors (same core) = 22.8 mH
Note: Two inductors connected on the same core as shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 Two inductors connected on the same core

𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝑁12 𝐴
𝐿1 =
𝑙

𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝑁22 𝐴
𝐿2 =
𝑙
𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 (𝑁1 +𝑁2 )2 𝐴
Series combination of L1 and L2 =
𝑙

4𝜇0 𝜇𝑟 𝑁2 𝐴
= (as N1 = N2 = N)
𝑙
General Discussion:
1. For buck and boost type converter, discuss the impact of switching frequency on
a. Voltage Gain when the converter is operating in
1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

b. Output voltage ripple when the converter is operating in

1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

c. Inductor current when the converter is operating in

1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

2. For buck and boost type converter, discuss the impact of increasing the load resistance on

a. Voltage Gain when the converter is operating in

1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

b. Output voltage ripple when the converter is operating in

1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

c. Inductor current when the converter is operating in

1) Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM)
2) Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM)

-END-