CHOPPER CIRCUITS

Step Down Operation:

+V

Assume an inductive load. For simplicity, assume an ideal inductance. When the switch closes the current rises linearly (exponentially if resistance also). When the switch opens, the freewheeling diode causes a linear decrease in current. At steady state we have a saw tooth response with an average value of the current.
s w c lo s e s

sw L (loa d )

Vav out

Step-Up Operation:
If one uses a front end choke to pump the current, when the switch closes, the supply is shorted across the choke and causes the current to build up linearly. When the switch opens, the current in the inductor cannot stop instantly, and therefore a path exists through the diode and the capacitor and load in parallel for the current ot continue flowing. Hence this is a pumping action, charging up the capacitor plate. Diode D prevents the capacitor from discharging through the source or through the shorted switch when closed. (1) switch is closed for time (t1)
+V

sw opens

sw

L ( lo a d )

i1 i2 t1 t2

sw c lo se s

vL = L

di dt

hence

i =

Vs t1 L

(2) switch opens for time (t2). The open circuit voltage is: v 0 = Vs + L where i t 1 = Vs (1 + 1 ) or v 0 = Vs t2 t2 1 K t K= 1 is the duty cycle t 2 + t1

If the capacitor C is large, and is connected across the load, the output voltage will become continuous and equal to the average V0. For mode (1) the current rises starting with initial I20 For mode (2) the current decreases from I10 Vc > Vs for the power transfer to occur.
Chops pg 1

i1 =

Vs t + I 20 L

sw opens

( 0 t t1 )

i2 =

Vs Vc t '+ I10 L

( 0 t ' t 2 t1 )

Buck Regulator:
Voutput is less than the source voltage.

+Vs

D
c o n tr o l

L (lo a d )

Boost Regulator:
Voutput is larger than Vs.
+Vs

C o n tr o l

L (lo a d )

Buck-Boost:
In mode 1, switch closed, there is one current path i1 which establishes a current in the choke. But there is also a current loop i2 of the capacitor discharging through the load, Diode D prevents from discharging through the inductor. The load voltage should decrease during this time period. In mode 2, switch open, the current in the inductor must continue flowing from the initial value of i1. Therefore diode D provides the path as shown by i3. This causes a charge to be built up on the BOTTOM PLATE of the capacitor. The current in the load will be:
iL o a d
i2 i1 Vs

+Vs

D
c o n tro l

L (lo a d )

M o d e 1 : s w itc h c lo s e d

i3

M o d e 2 : s w itc h o p e n

m ode 1
mode 2

Depending upon the relative slope in mode 1 and 2, the output voltage will be less or greater than the source voltage in magnitude.

Chops pg 2

Ck regulators:
In mode 01, when the switch is closed, the current establishes in choke L1. In mode 02, when the switch is open, the current in L1 will continue to flow into the plate of capacitor 1, via the diode D back to the source. This charges C1 up on the left plate.
L1
+V s

L2 + C1
D C2
L ( lo a d )

Vc2

In mode 1, the switch closes again. Current in choke 1 increases again. But at the same time, the charge on C1 is such that a discharge path exists through the switch, capacitor C2 bottom plate (and load in parallel), inductor L2. This current charges the capacitor C2 on the bottom plate, and establishes some current in L2 towards the left. In mode 2, switch open, current in L1 continues to flow and therefore recharges C1 up on the left plate. In the meantime, the current in L2 continues to flow towards the left, passes through diode D, charges the bottom plate of capacitor C2 while part of it goes through the load. This chopper is based on the transfer of energy from the front end capacitor C1 to the back end capacitor C2. Hence the input current is continuous and switching losses are low. The circuit is highly efficient.

References:
Step down [RAS 9/2,3] Step Up [RAS 9/4] Buck-Boost [RAS 9/7]

Chops pg 3