1

Modeling and Control of a Boost Converter for

Pseudo-resistive Input Behavior
R. Sabzehgar and M. Moallem

Abstract—In this paper we present the analysis and devel- which eliminates the disadvantages of conventional boost-type
opment of a boost-type switching converter for efficient power PFCs such as high switching frequencies, switching losses,
conversion from a source with an arbitrary voltage waveform
high voltage drop in the series path of the power flow, and
containing multiple frequencies to a DC storage medium such as a
battery. This type of energy transfer is of great interest in various
high EMI interference. A drawback of conventional boost
green energy conversion technologies involving irregular sources converters is that the power source is not isolated from the load
of power such as wave and wind with time-varying amplitudes circuit. To resolve this issue, isolated boost converters using a
and frequencies. Motivated by these applications, a novel model- leakage-field (LF) line transformer were used to provide safety
ing and control scheme is developed for a pulse-width-modulated
isolation [13]-[18]. The advantages of using bridgeless boost
(PWM) boost converter. In particular, conditions under which the
converter would act as a pseudo-resistor as seen by an arbitrary
PFC implementations were discussed in [19].
input voltage source are derived. Based on the pseudo-resistive The above works have mainly discussed boost power
relationship obtained between the input voltage and current a converters based on the assumption of using sinusoidal in-
feedback controller is developed that regulates the converter puts and currents with known input frequencies. However,
input resistance to a desired value. The importance of this result
in applications involving random sources of power such as
is that power absorption can be controlled with unity power
factor by controlling the input resistance of the converter for an
wind and wave, the generated input voltages and frequencies
arbitrary band-limited input voltage. Numerical simulations are are time varying. To achieve maximum power absorption in
presented that evaluate performance of the proposed modeling such cases, the idea presented in this paper is to enforce a
scheme and control system. resistive behavior at the input of the boost converter that is
independent of input waveform characteristics. To this end,
I. I NTRODUCTION a new scheme for modeling the converter input resistance is
The conventional methods for converting AC to DC are not presented followed by a control strategy for achieving unity
sufficient to meet the requirements in high efficiency power power factor for input voltages with time-varying amplitudes
applications. Hence, various switch-mode boost converters and frequencies which has not been addressed in previous
have been developed for efficient power conversion. In [1]-[3], literatures. The organization of this paper is as follows. In
an input power factor correction method that uses a closed- Section II, an overview of the principle of operation of
loop active current waveshaping technique was presented. A a boost converter circuit is presented followed by a new
boost converter topology for applications involving higher line modeling technique of the circuit in terms of PWM switching
frequencies was introduced in [4] to eliminate the leading- characteristics and circuit parameters. The analysis shows that
phase distortion of the line current at higher line frequencies. the circuit can exhibit a pseudo-resistive behavior under certain
Another boost converter topology was presented in [5], which conditions. Based on the model developed in Section II, a
reduces the reverse-recovery loss of the diode by adding feedback control scheme is proposed in Section III to achieve
a simple inductor-diode branch in parallel with the output a desired input resistance. Section IV presents the simulation
diode. Different solutions for reducing the reverse-recovery results illustrating performance of the feedback control system.
loss in boost converters were addressed in [6]-[8]. Mixed- Conclusions are presented in Section V.
mode operation of a boost switch-mode rectifier for a wide
range of load variations was proposed in [9]. In [10], the II. O PERATING P RINCIPLE AND C IRCUIT A NALYSIS
authors classified single-stage converters according to the input The basic circuit of the boost converter used in this paper
AC source frequency and the existence or absence of a large is shown in Fig. 1[13], [19]. In the following, we provide a
bulk capacitor in their DC link. In [11], the authors discussed brief review along with a new analysis to obtain expressions
advantages and drawbacks of popular boost converters and for the resistive behavior of the circuit. Referring to Figure 1,
control strategies. In [12], a single-phase PFC was presented the Schottky diodes and MOSFETs are used to achieve low
 In the following, we provide an analysis when the input
voltage vi is positive. A similar analysis can be given for
negative input voltages. It is assumed by design that Q1
remains off for a relatively long time such that the inductor
is completely discharged with its current reaching zero. The
charging and discharging of the inductor current is illustrated
in Fig. 3. In this figure, ton and tof f are the time intervals that
Q1 remains on and off, respectively, and Ts is the switching
period of Q1 .
Using an averaging technique as in [20], one can find the
average current of inductor, iL,k , over a sampling period given
by
Fig. 1: Single-phase boost-type rectifier. Δq 1 t2on vi,k
iL,k = = vi,k (1 − ) (1)
Ts 2L Ts vi,k − vB − vD
(a) where q is the total charge passing through the inductor over
a sampling period, vi,k represents the value of input voltage
at time t = kTs , vB stands for the battery voltage, and vD is
the voltage drop across diode D1 . Equation (1) indicates that
there exists an equivalent resistance at time t = kTs between
input terminals XY (see Fig. 1) given by
vi,k 2LTs vi,k
Rk = = 2 (1 − )· (2)
iL,k ton vB + vD
(b)
Due to the resistive nature of (2), there is no phase dif-
ference between vi,k and iL,k , if the circuit is operated in
this mode. The value of resistor is dependent on the value of
inductor, switching period, and the input voltage vi,k . Next,
we will obtain a condition to achieve this resistive relationship
between input voltage and averaged current over a sampling
period based on the duty cycle of switching. Referring to
Figure 3, the only condition that should be satisfied is that
the off-time of Q1 must be large enough to let the inductor to
Fig. 2: Operation modes in the positive cycle of input voltage
be completely discharged, i.e., t0 ≤ tof f . Thus one can write
(a) Mode 1 of circuit operation: Both Q1 and Q2 are ON,
ton and tof f in terms of the duty cycle d of PWM waveform
(b) Mode 2 of circuit operation: Q1 is turned OFF and Q2
as follows
remains ON.
ton = dTs
tof f = (1 − d)Ts (3)
conduction losses. To decrease the conduction losses, Q2 is
kept on when the time varying input voltage vi is positive.
Similarly, Q1 is turned on during the negative cycle of the
input voltage. When vi > 0 and Q1 is on, the inductor current
builds up and energy is stored in its magnetic field as shown
in Fig. 2(a). We denote this case as mode 1 of operation. After
Q1 is turned off, the stored energy in the inductor together with
the energy coming from the input source charge the battery Fig. 3: Inductor Current if Q1 remain off for a relatively long
as depicted in Fig. 2(b). We denote this case as mode 2 of time.
operation of the circuit.
Using (3) and performing some algebraic manipulations, we
have
vi,k dTs
≤ (1 − d)Ts (4)
vB + vD − vi,k
Fig. 4: Block diagram of proposed control strategy.
which results in

d(vB + vD ) ≤ vB + vD − vi,k · (5)

Substituting (14) into (13) results in
Therefore, the condition to achieve resistive performance can 
be obtained using the following equation (Kp + 1)e + KI edt = 0 (15)
vi,k
d≤1− · (6) Equation (15) indicates that the error would exponentially
vB + vD
The above relationship indicates that a pseudo-resistive behav- converge to zero. Therefore, the control law is obtained by
ior is achieved at a duty cycle that is independent of circuit substituting (12) into (9) as follows
v v
elements, i.e., it only depends on the input voltage and voltage u = yd + (1 − )−1 (w + yd )· (16)
drop across the diode and battery. In summary, the circuit a a
shows a pseudo-resistive behavior between points X and Y Using (16) and performing algebraic manipulations, the con-
in Fig. 1, as long as d remains below the bound given by (6). trol law is given by
a
u= (yd + w)· (17)
III. C ONTROL S TRATEGY a−v
Based on (2), parameters that can significantly affect the Fig. 4 illustrates the control system block diagram in which
value of input resistance Rk are Ts , ton , and L. The switching the control input is generated by a PWM signal with duty cycle
period cannot generally be a proper control variable. Thus, the d determined by the controller for pseudo-resistive operation,
parameter to control is ton which is related to d. Let us define i.e., no phase difference between the input voltage and current.
u, a and y as follows This is an interesting result indicating the condition and
2LTs vi,k feasibility of full power absorption using feedback control.
u = 2 , a = vB + vD , y = (7)
ton iL,k
where u and a are both positive (u > 0, a > 0). Equations IV. S IMULATION R ESULTS
(2) and (7) result in A Simulink model of the proposed converter and its con-
a−v troller were developed using the SIMELECTRONICS toolbox
y = u( ) (8)
a of MATLAB with the following parameters: L = 0.1H,
where v = vi,k . C = 100μF , R = 1kΩ, vi (peak) = 3V , fi = 2Hz,
Now, let us define fs = 1kHz, and yd = 5kΩ; where fi and fs are input signal
u = yd + Δu (9) and switching frequencies, respectively. Fig. 5 illustrates the
variation of input resistance versus PWM duty cycle using
where yd is the desired input resistance of the circuit. Hence, simulation and the resistive formula given by (2). The PWM
from (8) duty cycles are below the bound given by (6) (i.e., d ≤ 76%);
v
y = (yd + Δu)(1 − )· (10) hence the circuit operates in the pseudo-resistive mode. Fig.
a
5 shows that simulated values are close to corresponding
By defining e = yd − y and using (10), we have
theoretical values obtained from (2).
v v
e = yd − Δu(1 − )· (11) The proposed controller is utilized to achieve the desired
a a
resistance by changing the duty cycle of PWM signals. Since
If Δu is defined as a
v v a−v is close by unity, this term is assumed to be one in
Δu = (1 − )−1 (w + yd ) (12) controller implementation. From Fig. 6(a), it is evident that
a a
then substituting (12) into (11), gives us there is no phase difference between input voltage and current
which is achieved by tuning the duty cycle of PWM signal.
e = −w (13) Considering (2) and ignoring the term vB +v
vi,k
, which is
D

Considering w as the output of PI controller, we have typically small for a boost converter, results in Rk = 5KΩ,
 when the duty cycle of the PWM control signal is 25%. Fig.
w = Kp e + KI edt (14) 6(b) shows that the duty cycle is oscillating around 25%. This
 4
x 10
2.5 6
Theoretical Values Input Voltage (Vin)
Simulated Values Input Current (Rd*Iin)
4
2

2
Resistance (Ohm)

1.5

1
−2

0.5 −4

0 −6
0 1 2 3 4 5
0 20 40 60 80 100
Time (Sec.)
Duty Cycle (%)
(a)
Fig. 5: Theoretical and simulated values of circuit resistance 100
seen from the input voltage source. 90

80

70
oscillation is because of the time varying part in equation (2)
Duty Cycle (%)

60
vi,k
due to vB +v D
.
50
The inductive behavior of the circuit is investigated next.
40
To operate the circuit in the inductive mode, the duty cycle
30
of PWM signal is set to a large value, e.g., d = 99%. Figure
20
7 shows the simulation results for d = 99% which indicates
10
almost 90 degrees phase difference between input voltage and
0
input current. Thus the circuit behaves as an R-L circuit for 0 1 2 3 4 5
Time (Sec.)
duty cycles between 76% and 100%. (b)
Although all explanations were done based on sine wave
Fig. 6: Simulated waveforms for a sine wave input source:
input source, the proposed control strategy is also able to
(a) Input voltage and input current multiplied by the value of
follow a multi-frequency input source with a time varying
desired resistance Rd , (b) Duty cycle of PWM signal.
amplitude. Figure 8 illustrates performance of the proposed
controller in achieving pseudo-resistive behavior for a multi-
frequency input source with varying amplitude.
4 Input Voltage (Vin)
Input Current (Iin)
3
V. C ONCLUSION
2
In this paper analytical expressions describing the in-
1
put characteristic of a single-phase boost-type rectifier were
derived. Furthermore, a feedback controller is designed to 0

achieve unity power factor for input signals with multiple −1

frequencies. It is shown that the circuit exhibits a pseudo- −2

resistive behavior as long as the duty cycle of the control −3

signal remains below a specific bound. The analytic expres-
−4
sions for pseudo-resistive behavior can be utilized to obtain
0 1 2 3 4 5
component values and switching frequencies for achieving a Time (Sec.)

desired behavior. Furthermore, performance of the converter

Fig. 7: Simulation results showing inductive behavior of the
with feedback control was demonstrated through simulation
circuit.
studies. The results verify that the feedback converter can
provide a zero phase difference between input current and
voltage with arbitrary waveforms. A similar modeling and
 [5] J. M. Kwon, W. Y. Choi, and B. H. Kwon, “Cost-effective
8 Input Voltage (Vin) boost converter with reverse-recovery reduction and power factor
Input Current (Rd*Iin)
correction,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 55,
6
nO. 1, pp. 471-3, 2008.
4 [6] Q. Zhao, F. Tao, F.C. Lee, P. Xu, and J. Wei, “A simple and
2 effective method to alleviate the rectifier reverse-recovery problem
in continuous-current-mode boost converters,” IEEE Transactions
0
on Power Electronics, vol. 16, pp. 649-58, 2001.
−2 [7] D.D.-C. Lu, D.K.-W. Cheng, and Y.-S. Lee, “A single-
−4
switch continuous-conduction-mode boost converter with reduced
reverse-recovery and switching losses,” IEEE Transactions on
−6
Industrial Electronics, vol. 50, pp. 767-76, 2003.
−8 [8] B. Su and Z. Lu, “An interleaved totem-pole boost bridgeless
0 1 2 3 4 5 rectifier with reduced reverse-recovery problems for power factor
Time (Sec.) correction,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 25, pp.
(a)
1406-15, 2010.
100 [9] R.K. Tripathi, S.P. Das, and G.K. Dubey, “Mixed-mode operation
of boost switch-mode rectifier for wide range of load variations,”
90
IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 999-
80
1009, 2002.
70 [10] G. Moschopoulos and P. Jain, “Single-phase single-stage power-
factor-corrected converter topologies,” IEEE Transactions on
Duty Cycle (%)

60
Industrial Electronics, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 23-35, 2005.
50
[11] J.-C. Crebier, B. Revol, and J.P. Ferrieux, “Boost-chopper-
40
derived PFC rectifiers: interest and reality,” IEEE Transactions
30 on Industrial Electronics, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 36-45, 2005.
20 [12] R. Martinez and P. N. Enjeti, “A high-performance single-phase
rectifier with input power factor correction,” IEEE Transactions
10
on Power Electronics, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 311-17, 1996.
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 [13] N. Mi, B. Sasic, J. Marshall, and S. Tomasiewicz, “A novel eco-
Time (Sec.)
(b) nomical single stage battery charger with power factor correction,”
Eighteenth Annual IEEE of Applied Power Electronics Conference
Fig. 8: Simulated waveforms for a multi-frequency input signal and Exposition, APEC ’03, vol. 2, pp. 760-3, 2003.
with varying amplitude: (a) Input voltage and input current [14] M.H.L. Chow, Y.-S. Lee, and C.K. Tse, “Single-stage single-
switch isolated PFC regulator with unity power factor, fast tran-
multiplied by the value of desired resistance Rd (b) Duty cycle
sient response, and low-voltage stress,” IEEE Transactions on
of PWM signal. Power Electronics, vol. 15, pp. 156-63, 2000.
[15] L. Zhu, K. Wang, F.C. Lee, and J.-S. Lai, “New start-up schemes
for isolated full-bridge boost converters,” IEEE Transactions on
control scheme can be applied for a multi-phase input voltage Power Electronics, vol. 18, pp. 946-51, 2003.
source which is the subject of future work. [16] J.-L. Lin, M.-Z. Chang, and S.-P. Yang, “Synthesis and analysis
for a novel single-stage isolated high power factor correction
R EFERENCES
converter,” IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems, vol. 52,
[1] M. Kazerani, P.D. Ziogas, and G. Joos, “A novel active current pp. 1928-39, 2005.
waveshaping technique for solid-state input power factor condi- [17] Y. Jang and M.M. Jovanovic, “Isolated boost converters,” IEEE
tioner,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 38, pp. Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 22, pp. 1514-21, 2007.
72-78, 1991. [18] M. Nymand and M.A.E. Andersen, “High-efficiency isolated
[2] N. Vazquez, J. Lopez, J. Arau, C. Hernandez, and E. Rodriguez, boost dc-dc converter for high-power low-voltage fuel-cell appli-
“A different approach to implement an active input current shaper,” cations,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 57,
IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. pp. 505-14, 2010.
132-8, 2005. [19] L. Huber, Y. Jang, and M. M. Jovanovic, “Performance
[3] Y.M. Liu and L.K. Chang, “Single-stage soft-switching ac−dc evaluation of bridgeless PFC boost rectifiers,” IEEE Transactions
converter with input-current shaping for universal line,” IEEE on Power Electronics, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 13811390, 2008.
Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 56, pp. 467-79, 2009. [20] R.W. Erickson and D. Maksimovic, Fundamentals of Power
[4] K.P. Louganski and J.S. Lai, “Current phase lead compensation Electronics, Second Edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001
in single-phase PFC boost converters with a reduced switching (Chapter 11).
frequency to line frequency ratio,” IEEE Transactions on Power
Electronics, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 113-9, 2007.