Control Design for a Bidirectional Buck Boost Converter

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on designing a bidirectional buck-boost converter for a solar charge controller, specifically to charge a 2F 5V ultracapacitor from a 9V source and boost the voltage when needed. The designer is currently facing challenges with the control setup for boost mode, having successfully implemented buck mode but struggling with control theory. They are using average current mode control with an outer voltage loop and an inner current loop, employing PI blocks for control voltage generation. Questions arise about missing connections in the schematic and the potential use of commercially available control ICs, though the designer prefers to develop a proof of concept first. Assistance is sought for improving the boost functionality and resolving control implementation difficulties.
enyyubfa
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Hi there guys,

I'm trying to design a bidirectional buck boost converter as part of a larger three way solar charge controller project. The buck boost part will be connected to an energy storage device, which will probably be a 2F 5V ultracapacitor.

The aim is to step down 9v source to charge the ultracap, and then when power is needed the converter will work in reverse and boost the ultracap voltage to provide the load. I plan to use average current mode control for the converter. The only problem is that I'm really bad at control theory.

I've just about got the converter working in buck mode, but having problems getting it working in boost mode as i can't understand how to get the control setup for this and the capacitors complicate matters.

At the moment I'm still at the simulation stage using PSim software.

For the control design I have an outer voltage loop and a inner current loop. I've used two PI block with identical gains and time constants of 1 and 0.001sec. The control voltage is then fed into a comparator with a 20kHz 1V peak to peak sawtooth oscillator to get the PWM for the MOSFETS.

I've included the circuit diagram.

Can anyone help please?
 

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enyyubfa said:
Hi there guys,

I'm trying to design a bidirectional buck boost converter as part of a larger three way solar charge controller project. The buck boost part will be connected to an energy storage device, which will probably be a 2F 5V ultracapacitor.

The aim is to step down 9v source to charge the ultracap, and then when power is needed the converter will work in reverse and boost the ultracap voltage to provide the load. I plan to use average current mode control for the converter. The only problem is that I'm really bad at control theory.

I've just about got the converter working in buck mode, but having problems getting it working in boost mode as i can't understand how to get the control setup for this and the capacitors complicate matters.

At the moment I'm still at the simulation stage using PSim software.

For the control design I have an outer voltage loop and a inner current loop. I've used two PI block with identical gains and time constants of 1 and 0.001sec. The control voltage is then fed into a comparator with a 20kHz 1V peak to peak sawtooth oscillator to get the PWM for the MOSFETS.

I've included the circuit diagram.

Can anyone help please?

Your schematic shows a synchronous buck stage -- are you asking about the buck or boost functionality? The schematic has a few missing wires, BTW.

Is there a reason that you aren't using a commercially-available Buck/Boost control IC?
 
I want to have a proof of concept before I move onto actual ICs and I may try to implement it using analogue electronics.

I wanted to know about the boost part. Even when I'm designing a standalone boost converter I'm finding it much more difficult implementing the control.

Which wires are missing?

Thanks
 
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