Help with buck and boost converter

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on understanding the effects of switching frequency on voltage gain, output voltage ripple, and inductor current in buck and boost converters. Higher switching frequencies can reduce output voltage ripple and allow for smaller inductors, but they may introduce RF noise and require careful design. The voltage gain is primarily influenced by the input voltage, with increasing load resistance leading to a slight drop in output voltage. Participants emphasize the importance of consulting datasheets for specific performance characteristics and warn that not all switching converters are equally reliable. Overall, a deeper understanding of specific converter topologies is recommended for clearer insights.
usuki
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Hi all,

I'm new to power electronics, and somehow I still could not get the impact of switching frequency on voltage gain, output voltage ripple and inductor current.

Additionally, how is the voltage gain affected when increasing load resistance?

Thank you!
 
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I've mostly seen switching converters used as power supplies. While they technically have gain, they are usually specified by voltage output.

As the frequency goes up, it is easier to filter the ripple, though RF noise can couple without careful design. The inductors get smaller as well. I think the current through the inductor is more a function of load than frequency though I could be wrong. Check the data sheet.

Ideally the converter provides a constant voltage. There will of course be some small drop with usage which should go down with less load (i.e. increasing load resistance.) Again, in the data sheet.

The primary change in gain will come with the input voltage since the output voltage is constant. A changing input voltage will affect all the values slightly. Again, it's in the data sheet.

One warning, not all switchers are created equal. I've designed with some high frequency switchers where the data sheets specified impossible to achieve components like large value capacitors on less than 3mm square pads. On the surface higher frequency seems better, but there are limits. I think the sellers often design a chip for a particular application then sell leftovers to all comers. So there are lots of switchers out there that seem to work until you dig into the details. (I'm sure they worked for someone.)
 
usuki said:
Hi all,

I'm new to power electronics, and somehow I still could not get the impact of switching frequency on voltage gain, output voltage ripple and inductor current.

Additionally, how is the voltage gain affected when increasing load resistance?

Thank you!
If there is a considerably big difference in voltage beyond operating condition, that can not be handled by capacitors and regulators, you need to tweak transformer by means of switches. Here is a wonderful explanation and demo by Patnaik UC, very helpful.
 
Ronie Bayron said:
If there is a considerably big difference in voltage beyond operating condition, that can not be handled by capacitors and regulators, you need to tweak transformer by means of switches. Here is a wonderful explanation and demo by Patnaik UC, very helpful.

That is a very confusing video, IMO. And I'm not sure that it will be helpful to the OP...
 
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berkeman said:
That is a very confusing video, IMO. And I'm not sure that it will be helpful to the OP...
Probably. May be this is the appropriate: http://ecee.colorado.edu/copec/book/slides/Ch6slides.pdf
 
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