A Converter with both Buck & Boost ability

Farhan Masood (38) and Abdul Moeed Bhatti (04), BEE-2D

School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, National University of Sciences and Technology,H-12, Islamabad

A Converter whose output voltage can be both increased and reduced from the input voltage only by changing the Duty. Following are some topologies that meet the criterion: BUCK-BOOST converter:

There are further two topologies:

Cuk Converter SEPIC

The inverting topology A Buck followed by a Boost

Sepic was chosen for analysis as it has a non-inverted output while Cuk and BUCK-BOOST have inverted outputs.
SEPIC:

The SEPIC (Single-Ended Primary Inductance Converter) is a DC-to-DC converter with characteristics of both a buck and a boost converter, specifically the ability to both step up and step down the input voltage. When operated in CCM (Continuous Conduction Mode), SEPIC provides a non-inverted output voltage. Output can be made either greater than or less than input by varying only the Duty Cycle.

Continuous mode:

A SEPIC is said to be in continuous-conduction mode ("continuous mode") if the current through the inductor L1 never falls to zero. During a SEPIC's steady-state operation, the average voltage across capacitor C1 (VC1) is equal to the input voltage (Vin). Because capacitor C1 blocks direct current (DC), the average current across it (IC1) is zero, making inductor L2 the only source of load current. Therefore, the average current through inductor L2 (IL2) is the same as the average load current and hence independent of the input voltage. When Q1 is turned on, current IL1 increases and the current IL2 increases in the negative direction. The energy to increase the current IL1 comes from the input source. Since Q1 is a short while closed, and the instantaneous voltage VC1 is approximately VIN, the voltage VL2 is approximately VIN. Therefore, the capacitor C1 supplies the energy to increase the magnitude of the current in IL2 and thus increase the energy stored in L2. As shown in figure below:

When Q1 is On

When Q1 is turned off, the current IC1 becomes the same as the current IL1, since inductors do not allow instantaneous changes in current. The current IL2 will continue in the negative direction and never reverses direction. A negative IL2 will add to the current IL1 to increase the current delivered to the load. Using Kirchhoff's Current Law: ID1 = IC1 - IL2 Hence while Q1 is off, power is delivered to the load from both L2 and L1. C1, however is being charged by L1 during this off cycle, and will in turn recharge L2 during the on cycle. As Shown in figure below:

When Q1 is Off Switching Waveforms:

CALCULATIONS:

Step 4. Calculate output Capacitance

Since the voltage on both inductors remains same we can use coupled inductors for L1 and L2 i.e. they can be wound on the same core. By using coupled inductors, the required inductance for each inductor is halved due to mutual inductance.

References:
[1] Designing a SEPIC Converter, Wei Gu, National Semiconductor Application Note AN1484, June 2007 [2] Versatile Low Power SEPIC Converter Accepts Wide Input Voltage Range, Jack Palczynski, Unitrode Design Note DN-48. [3] SEPIC Equations and Component Ratings, Maxim Integrated Circuits Application Note 1051, Apr 23, 2002