Department of Electrical Engineering

EE363L: Power Electronics Lab

Course Instructor: Prof. Tauseef Tauqeer Date:

Lab Engineer: Asif Ali Semester: Spring 2024

Lab 9: Implementation of DC-DC Converters – Buck-Boost

Converter

Total
Name Roll Number
Marks/35

Checked on: __________________________

Signature: __________________________
9.1 Learning Outcomes
After completing this Lab, the student will be able to
 Implement and run a buck-boost converter with a fixed resistive load,
 Measure voltage, current and ripples at the input and output of the converter,
 Calculate, plot and analyze the conversion ratio and efficiency of the converter for a
range of duty cycle.

9.2 Equipment
 Dual-channel DC power supply
 Digital Multi-meter
 Breadboard
 Connecting wires
 Electronic components as in the following table

Component Value Quantity

MOSFET IRF3205 2
Capacitor 2200 uF 2
Gate driver IR2104 1
Resistor 56 Ω 1
Inductor 330 uH 1

9.3 Operation of a Buck-Boost Converter

A buck-boost converter operates in continuous mode if the current through the inductor (IL)
never falls to zero during the commutation cycle. In this mode, the operating principle is
described by the timing diagram in Figure 9-2.
The general circuit diagram of a buck converter is shown in Figure 9-1. The switches 𝑆𝑤1 and
𝑆𝑤2 are operated alternately, with 𝑆𝑤1 closed only for 0 < 𝑡 < 𝐷𝑇𝑠 and 𝑆𝑤2 closed for 𝐷𝑇𝑠 <
𝑡 < 𝑇𝑠 in each switching cycle, where 𝐷 is the duty cycle and 𝑇𝑠 is the time period of the
switching waveform. By assuming that the inductor and capacitors have large values, we can
consider that the current in the inductor and the voltage across the output capacitor stay almost
constant.
 Figure 9-1: Circuit diagram of a buck-boost converter
The waveforms of the inductor current and the capacitor voltage during the switching cycle are
shown in Figure 9-2.

Figure 9-2: Current and voltage waveforms in a buck-boost converter

When 𝑆𝑤1 is closed and 𝑆𝑤2 is open, as shown in Figure 9-3, the voltage across the inductor
is,
𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑖𝑛
 Figure 9-3: Equivalent circuit of a buck-boost converter during 0 < 𝑡 < 𝐷𝑇𝑠

When 𝑆𝑤1 is open and 𝑆𝑤2 is closed, as shown in Figure 9-4, the voltage across the inductor
is,
𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡

Figure 9-4: Equivalent circuit of a buck-boost converter during 𝐷𝑇𝑠 < 𝑡 < 𝑇𝑠

Applying volt-second balance yields:

𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝐷+ (1 − 𝐷) = 0
𝐿 𝐿
𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐷
⇒ =−
𝑉𝑖𝑛 1−𝐷
This equation describes the relation between the input and output voltage of a buck-boost
converter operating in a steady state, in continuous conduction mode.
The voltages across the inductor in the two intervals of the time period can also be used to
calculate the current ripple in the inductor as the following.
2Δ𝑖𝐿
𝐿 = 𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝐷𝑇𝑠
𝐷𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑇𝑠
⇒ Δ𝑖𝐿 =
2𝐿
Similarly, applying charge balance to the capacitor gives the following relation between the
average inductor and load currents. Note that the inductor current is the same as the current
being drawn from the input source.
 𝐼𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝐷𝑉𝑖𝑛
𝐼𝐿 = =
1 − 𝐷 (1 − 𝐷)2 𝑅𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
The voltage ripple across the output capacitor in given by the following expression.
∆𝑖𝐿 𝑇𝑠
∆𝑣𝐶 =
4𝐶(1 − 𝐷)
The equations for the inductor current ripple and the capacitor voltage ripple can be directly
used to design the values of the inductor and the output capacitor for a buck-boost converter.

9.4 Task 1: Simulation of a Buck-Boost Converter

Objective: Simulate a buck-boost converter in LTspice and measure its output voltage,
inductor current and the ripples in both quantities. Compare the simulated quantities with
theoretical calculations.

Figure 9-5: Circuit diagram of buck-boost converter

1. Build the circuit shown in Figure 9-5 in LTspice. Set the values of the components and
simulation command as shown. Label the nodes in, mid and out as labeled in the diagram.
Set the equivalent resistances of the inductor and the capacitor to 0.1 Ω each. Run the
simulation and measure the average output voltage when is has settled to a steady state
value. Write the value correct to 4 significant figures. [1 points]

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 =_____________________
-5.025 V

2. Use the last two digits of your roll number to calculate the percent duty cycle for the
converter. Add or subtract 20% from it to get it in the range 20% < 𝐷 < 80%. Calculate
the 𝑇𝑜𝑛 of the pulse source for a switching period, 𝑇𝑠 , of 10 μs. [2 points]

27.6%
𝐷 =___________________

Ton= D x Ts = 27.6% x 10us 𝑇𝑜𝑛 =___________________

2.76us
3. Set the 𝑇𝑜𝑛 of the pulse source as calculate in the previous part. Capture the screenshot of
your circuit, including every component and text, and paste here. [1.5 points]

4. Using the formulas given in section 9.3, calculate the following quantities for the converter
with duty cycle calculated from your roll number. [5 points]

Quantity Description Value Unit

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 Average output voltage
𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 Average output current
𝐼𝐿 Average inductor current
Δ𝑖𝐿 Inductor current ripple
Δ𝑣𝐶 Capacitor voltage ripple

5. Run the simulation of the buck converter and measure the following quantities for the circuit
when it has settled to a steady state. [5 points]

Quantity Description Value Unit

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 Average output voltage
𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 Average output current
𝐼𝐿 Average inductor current
Δ𝑖𝐿 Inductor current ripple
Δ𝑣𝐶 Capacitor voltage ripple

6. Analysis Compare the calculated values of inductor current ripple to the simulated result.
[1 points]

7. Analysis Compare the calculated values of output voltage ripple to the simulated result.
[1 points]
9.5 Task 2: Implementation of a Buck-Boost Converter
Objective: Implement a buck-boost converter using discrete components and measure its input
and output voltages and currents. Calculate the efficiency and describe the trend of the
efficiency with change duty cycle.

Figure 9-6: Implementation of a buck-boost converter using the trainer board

1. Implement a buck-boost converter as shown in Figure 9-6, using your trainer board. The
components included in the dashed boxes are present on the board. Connect a 1 Ω resistor
in series with the positive input of the buck converter to measure the current flowing into it.
Set the duty cycle of the square wave generator to 50 % and measure the following
quantities. [1.5 points]

𝑉𝑖𝑛 =_____________________ 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 =____________________

𝐼𝑖𝑛 =_____________________

2. Calculate the following quantities, using the measurements in the previous part. [2 points]

𝑃𝑖𝑛 =_____________________ 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 =____________________

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 =_____________________ 𝜂 =____________________

3. Change the duty cycle of pulse source according to Table 9-1 and record the input and output
voltages and currents. Calculate the input and output powers and the efficiency of the
converter for each reading. [5 points]

Caution: The 10 W resistor may get quite hot during the hardware implementation.
Duty
𝑽𝒊𝒏 𝑰𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝒊𝒏 𝑽𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑰𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝜼 (%)
Cycle
20 % 12 V
30 % 12 V
35 % 12 V
40 % 12 V
50 % 12 V
60 % 12 V
65 % 12 V
70 % 12 V
Table 9-1: Measurements of the buck-boost converter

4. Plot the efficiency (vertical axis) of the circuit against output power (horizontal axis).
[2 points]
5. Plot the efficiency (vertical axis) of the circuit against duty cycle (horizontal axis).
[2 points]

6. Plot the theoretical and measured conversion ratios (vertical axis) of the circuit against duty
cycle (horizontal axis). [2 points]
7. Describe and explain how the efficiency of the converter changes with output power.
[1 points]

8. Analysis Describe how the conversion ratio of the converter changes with duty cycle.
Explain any deviation from ideal behavior with reasons. [1 points]

9. Analysis List 3 of the sources of power loss in the converter that cause its power efficiency
to be less than 100%. [1 points]
 Assessment Rubrics
Method:
Lab report evaluation and instructor observation during lab sessions.

Able to complete the Able to complete the Tasks completion

Performance CLO Marks
tasks over 80% (4-5) tasks 50 – 80% (2-3) below 50% (0-1)
Selects relevant Needs guidance to Incapable of
equipment to the select relevant selecting relevant
experiment, develops equipment to the equipment to
Realization of
1 setup diagrams of experiment and to conduct the
experiment
equipment connections develop equipment experiment.
or wiring. connection or wiring
diagrams.
Actively engages and Cooperates with Distracts or
cooperates with other other group members discourages other
Conducting
1 group members in an in a reasonable group members from
experiment
effective manner. manner. conducting the
experiment.
Uses each equipment Uses the equipment Unable to use
and components as and components with appropriate
Teamwork 2 intended, conducting the minor error. Needs equipment, and
experiment perfectly. help in conducting experiment is
experiment. substantially wrong.
Respectfully and Observes safety rules Disregards safety
Laboratory
2 carefully observes safety and procedures with rules and procedures.
Safety Rules
rules and procedures minor deviation.
Plans data collection to Plans data collection Does not know how
achieve experimental to achieve to plan data
objectives, and conducts experimental collection to achieve
Data
1 an orderly and a objectives, and experimental goals;
collection
complete data collects complete data collected is
collection. data with minor incomplete and
error. contain errors.
Accurately conducts Conducts Unable to conduct
simple computations computations and simple analysis on
and statistical analysis analysis on collected collected data; no
using collected data; data with minor attempt to correlate
Data analysis 1 correlates experimental error; reasonably experimental results
results to known correlates with known
theoretical values. experimental results theoretical values.
to known theoretical
values.
Uses computer to Uses computer to Does not know how
collect and analyze data collect and analyze to use computer to
Computer use 1
effectively. data with minor collect and analyze
error. data.

Total / 35