Small signal AC modeling for a boost converter with resistive losses

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the small signal AC modeling of a boost converter, specifically addressing the challenge of eliminating the inductor current "I" from the equations as required by the homework. Participants explore the implications of resistive losses and the relationships between various parameters in the context of continuous current mode operation.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in removing "I" from their equations, noting that the homework states it should not appear, while their lectures and textbook include it.
  • Another participant suggests that "I" cannot be eliminated entirely from the small-signal AC model, as it reflects the influence of the quiescent inductor current, and proposes relating it to other parameters like output voltage.
  • A third participant challenges the correctness of the equations presented, emphasizing the relationship between inductor current and diode current in continuous current mode, and provides a detailed derivation involving perturbations and average values.
  • One participant points out the homework's instruction to express answers in terms of steady-state parameters, suggesting that using the input voltage "Vg" might be more appropriate than the output voltage "V" due to its known status in practical scenarios.
  • This participant also simplifies the relationship between quiescent inductor current and output voltage, proposing a direct equation that connects them through load resistance and duty cycle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the treatment of "I" in the equations, with some arguing it should be included while others suggest it can be eliminated through steady-state relationships. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to model the boost converter under the given constraints.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of steady-state assumptions and the relationships between various parameters, but the discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps necessary to fully eliminate "I" from the equations.

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Homework Statement
Derive the small signal equations associated with both the capacitor and inductor.
Relevant Equations
L dihat/dt=RHS
C dvhat/dt=RHS
I've attached my attempts at the solution and the actual question below. I believe the only issue I am having is I don't know how to get rid of "I" in both my final inductor and capacitor equations as the HW states I shouldn't have anything in term of I. I believe I need to put "I" in terms of the listed variables but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do it. In the lectures and textbook that come with this HW they do actually leave the solution with terms that include "I" which is a bit frustrating. I already removed the second order and DC quantities as can be seen in the work but "I*Ron*dhat" and "dhat*I" are first order factors that should not be removed. The blue boxed in equations in third image are my incorrect answers for #1 and #2.

unknown.png
hw1.jpg
hw2.jpg
 
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I did not study your derivation process in detail. However, I think in a sense, you can’t get rid of "I". The small-signal AC model of the boost converter must actually include the influence of the quiescent inductor current, but, as mentioned in the HW, according to the steady-state model, you should be able to use other parameters to represent it. You may try to consider whether this quiescent inductor current is related to, for example, the output voltage and some other parameters?
 
I don't think your equations are correct. First of all, since the convertor operates in continuous current mode, the average (over a switching period) inductor current equals average current throug the diode when it conducts.

Let us define I(t) - inductor current averaged over a switching period, ##V_g(t)## - source voltage, V(t) - output voltage (averaged over a switching period). These can be written as I(t) = I + i(t), ##V_g(t) = V_g + v_g(t)##, and V(t) = V + v(t) where I, ##V_g## and V are quiescent values and small letters denote perturbations.
Then the FET is on, the voltage across it is ##I(t) R_{ON}##. During off time and assuming negligible voltage drop across the rectifying diode, the voltage is equal to the output voltage, V(t). The average (over the switching period) voltage is then ##I(t)R_{ON}D(t) + V(t) \cdot (1-D(t))##
We can then write the equation for the diode current as
$$V_g (t) - I(t)R_{ON}D(t) - V(t)\cdot (1-D(t)) = L\frac {dI(t)} {dt}$$
The average (over a switching period) current through the diode is I(t)(1-D(t)) and that gives the second equation:
$$ I(1 - D(t)) = \frac {V(t)} R + C \frac {dV(t)} {dt} $$
Now, you can solve the two equations for the quiescent current that is assuming I, V ##V_g## and D are constant. Then, expand the first equation in the first order of perturbations and you should get the answers you want.
 
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The home work question state "if your expression contain the quantities Vg or I, you should use the steady state model to eliminate these and express your answers as a functions of above variables only", which including the quiescent duty cycle D, quiescent output voltage V and load resistance R.

This makes me feel a little strange. I personally think it would be better to use Vg instead V to express it, because usually the input voltage Vg is a known parameter and output voltage V is an unknown parameter, especially the voltage conversion ratio becomes complicated when the converter is lossy.

Anyway, according to the second equation shown in #3 as follows

$$ I(1−D(t)) = \frac {V(t)} R + C \frac {dV(t)} {dt} $$

In the steady state, the quiescent current of capacitor is zero, so it can be simplified to ## I(1−D)= \frac V R ## where I is quiescent inductor current, D is the quiescent duty cycle, V and R are the quiescent output voltage and load resistance, respectively.

Thus, the quiescent inductor current ## I ## is simply equal to ## \frac V {(1−D)R} ##

Since the quiescent input current ## I_{in} ## is equal to the quiescent inductor current ## I ## in the boost converter, we can also get the equation ## I_{out}=\frac V R =I_{in}(1−D)## :smile:
 
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