DC-DC Power Converters

MARINA S. PERDIGÃO (perdigao@isec.pt)

DC-DC conversion? Purpose: regulated output voltage
The average output voltage must be controlled to be equal to a desired level,
though the input voltage and the output load may fluctuate.

Single-phase or
three-phase Buck
rectifier Boost
Buck-boost
DC-DC conversion

In a switch-mode dc-dc converter

with a given input voltage the
average output voltage is controlled
by controlling the switch on and off
durations – therefore, the average
output voltage depends on 𝑡𝑜𝑛 and
𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓
Switching a constant frequency and
simply adjusting the on duration of
the switch is called pulse-width-
modulation
𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝐷𝑇𝑠 ; 𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓 = 1 − 𝐷 𝑇𝑠
The switch duty ratio 𝐷 is defined as
the ratio of the on duration to the
switching time period
 PWM switching scheme

Note: The frequency of the sawtooth dictates

the value of the switching frequency of the
converter (typically few kHz to a few hundred 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝐷𝑇𝑠 ; 𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓 = 1 − 𝐷 𝑇𝑠
kHz)

𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑣𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑙
𝐷= =
𝑇𝑠 𝑉෠𝑠𝑡
DC-DC converters:
Buck
1. Step-down converter: buck converter;
2. Step-up converter: boost converter;
3. Step-up, step down converter: buck-boost;
4. Isolated dc-dc converters;
Flyback converter; Boost

Forward converter.

Buck-boost
1. Buck converter

General remarks:

The circuit operates in steady-

state: all voltages and current are
periodic and ending at the same
points over one switching period;
C is very large resulting in constant
output voltage 𝑣𝑜 = 𝑉𝑜 ;
At first current in 𝐿 is assumed to
be continuous;
The circuit is assumed to be lossless
(𝑃𝑑 = 𝑃𝑜 )

The output voltage fluctuations are

diminished by using a low-pass filter,
consisiting of an inductor and a
capacitor:
𝑣𝑜𝑖 corresponds to the input of the low-
pass filter, which consists of a dc
component and the harmonics at the
switching frequency and its multiples
If the corner frequency of the filter is
selected to be much lower than the
switching-frequency, the ripple will be
essentially eliminated
 1. Buck converter

Equivalent Equivalent
circuit circuit
with with
switch ON switch OFF
 1. Buck converter

SWITCH CLOSED:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿

𝑣𝐿 + 𝑉𝑜 − 𝑉𝑑 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜

𝐷𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 𝑉 − 𝑉𝑜
𝐿 𝑑
SWITCH OPEN:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿
𝑣𝐿 + 𝑉𝑜 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = −𝑉𝑜
(1 − 𝐷)𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 = −𝑉𝑜
𝐿
Equivalent Equivalent
circuit circuit
with with
switch ON switch OFF
 1. Buck converter

Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 + Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 =0

𝐷𝑇 (1 − 𝐷)𝑇
𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 − 𝑉𝑜 = 0
𝐿 𝐿

𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐷

Average value of the inductance voltage

𝑇𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑠
න 𝑣𝐿 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = න 𝑣𝐿 𝑑𝑡 + න 𝑣𝐿 𝑑𝑡
0 0 𝑡𝑜𝑛
=0

𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 − 1 − 𝐷 𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 = 0

Equivalent Equivalent
circuit circuit
voltage with with
conversion ratio switch ON switch OFF

𝑉𝑜
𝑀 𝐷 = =𝐷
𝑉𝑑
 1. Buck converter

Maximum and minimum values of the inductor current

∆𝑖𝐿 1 1−𝐷
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝐿 + = 𝑉𝑜 +
2 𝑅 2𝐿𝑓𝑠

∆𝑖𝐿 𝑉𝑜
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑜 =
2 𝑅

No losses

𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 = 𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜 = 𝑃𝑜 𝑖𝐶 = 𝑖𝐿 − 𝐼𝑜

Output voltage ripple ∆𝑉𝑜

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉𝑜

∆𝑄 = 𝐶∆𝑉𝑜

𝑇𝑠 ∆𝑖𝐿
×
2 2
∆𝑄 2
∆𝑉𝑜 = =
𝐶 𝐶
𝑉𝑜 ∆𝑉𝑜 (1 − 𝐷)
= (1 − 𝐷) =
8𝐿𝐶𝑓 2 𝑉𝑜 8𝐿𝐶𝑓 2
1. Buck converter

Boundary between continuous

and discontinuous conduction
(By definition, the inductor current
goes to zero at the end of the off
period)

∆𝑖𝐿
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 − =0
2 𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 ?

Example of
discontinuous
conduction
 1. Buck converter

Boundary between continuous

and discontinuous conduction
(By definition, the inductor current
goes to zero at the end of the off
period)
𝐼𝐿𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 when 𝐷 = 0.5
1
𝐼𝐿𝐵 = 𝑖𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2
𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 𝑇𝑠
= 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑 − 𝐷𝑉𝑑 = 𝐷 1−𝐷
2𝐿 2𝐿 2𝐿

During an
operation
condition (with a
given values of
𝑇𝑠 , 𝑉𝑑 , 𝑉𝑜 , 𝐿 and 𝐷,
if the average
output current
(and hence the
average inductor
current) becomes
less than 𝐼𝐿𝐵 , then
𝑖𝐿 becomes
discontinuous
 1. Buck converter

For given constant values of 𝑇, 𝐿, 𝑉𝑑 and 𝐷, if

the output load power is decreased (i.e., the
load resistance goes up), then the average
inductor current will decrease.

Example of This dictates a higher value of 𝑉𝑜 than

discontinuous before and results in a discontinuous current
conduction
𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 − ∆1 𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 = 0

voltage conversion ratio (𝐷 + ∆ <1)

1

𝑉𝑜 𝐷
1 𝑀 𝐷 = =
𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝐿 = 𝑖𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐷 + ∆1
2 If 𝑉𝑑 is constant
𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 𝑇𝑠
= 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑 − 𝐷𝑉𝑑 = 𝐷 1−𝐷 The maximum value of 𝐼𝐿𝐵 occurs at 𝐷 = 0.5
2𝐿 2𝐿 2𝐿

Or If 𝑉𝑜 is constant

𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠
= 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 = − 𝑉𝑜 = 1−𝐷 The maximum value of 𝐼𝐿𝐵 occurs at 𝐷 = 0
2𝐿 2𝐿 𝐷 2𝐿
 1. Buck converter

𝑉𝑑 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡

𝑉𝑜 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
 2. Boost converter

SWITCH CLOSED:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿

𝑣𝐿 − 𝑉𝑑 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑑

𝐷𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 𝑉
𝐿 𝑑
𝑉𝑜 Equivalent Equivalent
𝑖𝐶 = − circuit circuit
𝑅 with with
switch switch
ON OFF
 2. Boost converter

SWITCH OPEN:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿

𝑣𝐿 + 𝑉𝑜 − 𝑉𝑑 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜

(1 − 𝐷)𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 = 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜
𝐿
𝑉𝑜 Equivalent Equivalent
𝑖𝐶 = 𝑖𝐿 − circuit circuit
𝑅 with with
switch switch
ON OFF
 2. Boost converter

The ideal boost converter is capable of

producing any output voltage greater
than the input voltage
In the real converter the inductor
current (𝑖𝑑 = 𝑖𝐿 ) flows through the
semiconductor forward voltage drops,
the inductor winding resistance and
other sources of power losses. As 𝐷
Δ𝑖𝑚 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 + Δ𝑖𝑚 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 =0 approaches 1, 𝑖𝐿 becomes very large
and these components non-idealities
lead to large power losses. As
𝐷𝑇 (1 − 𝐷)𝑇
𝑉𝑑 + 𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 = 0 consequence the efficiency of the
𝐿 𝐿 converter decreases rapidly at high
duty ratio
𝑉𝑑
𝑉𝑜 = voltage conversion ratio
1−𝐷
𝑉𝑜 1
𝑀 𝐷 = =
𝑉𝑑 1 − 𝐷
 2. Boost converter
Maximum and minimum values of the inductor current

∆𝑖𝐿 𝑉𝑑 𝑉𝑑 𝐷𝑇𝑠
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝐿 + = +
2 (1 − 𝐷)2 𝑅 2𝐿

∆𝑖𝐿
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 −
2

Average value of the inductor current

𝑉𝑜2
𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝐿 = 𝑃𝑜 =
𝑅

𝑉𝑑
𝐼𝐿 =
1 − 𝐷 2𝑅

Output voltage ripple ∆𝑉𝑜

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉𝑜

∆𝑄 = 𝐶∆𝑉𝑜

∆𝑄 𝐼𝑜 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 𝐷
∆𝑉𝑜 = = =
𝐶 𝐶 𝑅𝐶𝑓 ∆𝑉𝑜 𝐷
=
𝑉𝑜 𝑅𝐶𝑓
 2. Boost converter

Boundary between continuous

and discontinuous conduction

1 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠
𝐼𝐿𝐵 = 𝑖𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑑 = 𝐷 1−𝐷
2 2𝐿 2𝐿

𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑑 (1 − 𝐷)
𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠 2
𝐼𝑜𝐵 = 𝐷 1−𝐷
2𝐿
𝐼𝐿𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 when 𝐷 = 0.5
During an operation 1
𝐼𝑜𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 when 𝐷 =
condition (with a 3

given values of
𝑇𝑠 , 𝐿 for a constant
𝑉𝑜 ,and for a given 𝐷,
if the average output
current drops below
𝐼𝑜𝐵 and hence the
average inductor
current becomes
less than 𝐼𝐿𝐵 , then 𝑖𝐿
becomes
discontinuous
 2. Boost converter

Example of
discontinuous
conduction

The discontinuous current conduction occurs due 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 − ∆1 𝑇𝑠 (𝑉𝑑 − 𝑉𝑜 ) = 0

to the decrease of the output load power, hence
the average inductor current will decrease - 𝑃𝑜 =
𝑃𝑑 and 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑑 (considering 𝑉𝑑 , 𝐷 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡). voltage conversion ratio (𝐷 + ∆1 <1)

Since the peak inductor current remains the same

in both modes, but 𝐼𝐿 is lower, (this current is now 𝑉𝑜 ∆1 + 𝐷
𝑀 𝐷 = =
discontinuous ) this implies that a higher value of 𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑑 ∆1
is required

The average input current which is also equal to the

average inductor current:

𝑉𝑑 𝐷𝑇 𝑉𝑑 𝐷𝑇 𝐼𝑜 ∆1
𝐼𝑑 = (∆1 + 𝐷) 𝐼𝑜 = ∆ = 𝑃𝑑 = 𝑃𝑜
2𝐿 2𝐿 1 𝐼𝑑 ∆1 + 𝐷
 2. Boost converter

If 𝑉𝑜 is held constant and 𝐷 must vary in response to the variation

in 𝑉𝑑 it is more useful to obtain the required duty ratio as a
function of the load current for various values of 𝑉𝑜 /𝑉𝑑

𝑉𝑜 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
 3. Buck-boost converter

The buck-boost converter is used when

a negative polarity may be desired with
respect to the common terminal of the
input voltage

This converter can be obtained by the

cascade connection of a buck and a
boost converter and the voltage
conversion ratio can be obtained by
multiplying the two voltage ratios
(assuming that the switches in both
Buck
converters have the same duty ratio)
𝑉𝑜 Boost
=𝐷
𝑉𝑑
𝑉𝑜 1
=
𝑉𝑑 1 − 𝐷
Buck-boost

𝑉𝑜 1
=𝐷
𝑉𝑑 1−𝐷
 3. Buck-boost converter

SWITCH CLOSED:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿

𝑣𝐿 − 𝑉𝑑 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑑

𝐷𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 = 𝑉
𝐿 𝑑
𝑉𝑜 Equivalent Equivalent
𝑖𝐶 = − circuit circuit
𝑅 with with
switch switch
ON OFF
 3. Buck-boost converter

SWITCH OPEN:
The relationship between the input and
output voltages can be determined by
examining the current in 𝐿

−𝑉𝑜 − 𝑣𝐿 = 0 → 𝑣𝐿 = −𝑉𝑜

(1 − 𝐷)𝑇
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 =− 𝑉𝑜
𝐿
Equivalent Equivalent
circuit circuit
with with
switch switch
ON OFF
 3. Buck-boost converter

The ideal buck-boost converter is capable of

producing any output voltage greater or
smaller than the input voltage, depending on
the duty ratio of the switch
If 𝐷 > 0.5, the output is larger than the input,
and if 𝐷 < 0.5, the output is smaller than the
input (the circuit combines the capabilities of
the buck and of the boost converter)
Polarity reversal of the output may be a
Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 + Δ𝑖𝐿 𝑜𝑝𝑒𝑛 =0 disadvantage in some applications
The source is never directly connected to the
𝐷𝑇 (1 − 𝐷)𝑇 load
𝑉 − 𝑉𝑜 = 0
𝐿 𝑑 𝐿

𝐷
𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑
1−𝐷

Average value of the inductance voltage

𝑇𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑇𝑠
න 𝑣𝐿 (𝑡)𝑑𝑡 = න 𝑣𝐿 𝑑𝑡 + න 𝑣𝐿 𝑑𝑡 = 0
0 0 𝑡𝑜𝑛

𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 − 1 − 𝐷 𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 = 0
 3. Buck-boost converter
Average value of the inductor current

𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 = 𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜 = 𝑃𝑜
𝑉𝑜2
𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐷𝐼𝐿 = 𝑃𝑜 =
𝑅

𝐼𝑑 = 𝐷𝐼𝐿 𝐷
𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑
1−𝐷
𝐼𝑜 1 − 𝐷
=
𝐼𝑑 𝐷

𝑉𝑑 𝐷
𝐼𝐿 =
1 − 𝐷 2𝑅
Maximum and minimum values of the inductor current

∆𝑖𝐿
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝐿 +
2
𝑉𝑠 𝐷 Equivalent Equivalent 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝑑
= circuit circuit
𝑅(1 − 𝐷)2
𝑉𝑠 𝐷𝑇 with with
+ switch switch
2𝐿
∆𝑖𝐿 ON OFF
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 −
2
 3. Buck-boost converter

Output voltage ripple ∆𝑉𝑜

𝑄 = 𝐶𝑉𝑜

∆𝑄 = 𝐶∆𝑉𝑜

∆𝑄 𝐼𝑜 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 𝐷
∆𝑉𝑜 = = =
𝐶 𝐶 𝑅𝐶𝑓

∆𝑉𝑜 𝐷
=
𝑉𝑜 𝑅𝐶𝑓
 3. Buck-boost converter

Boundary between continuous ∆𝑖𝐿

𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 − =0
and discontinuous conduction 2
(By definition, the inductor
current goes to zero at the end of
the off period)

1 − 𝐷 2𝑅
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
2𝑓

1 𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠
𝐼𝐿𝐵 = 𝑖𝐿𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑑 = 1−𝐷
2 2𝐿 2𝐿 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝑑
𝐼𝐿𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 when 𝐷 = 0
𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠 2
𝐼𝑜𝐵 = 1−𝐷
𝐼𝑜𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 when 𝐷 = 0 2𝐿
 3. Buck-boost converter

The average inductor current is also

affected:
𝐷𝑇𝑠 𝑉𝑑 + ∆1 𝑇𝑠 (−𝑉𝑜 ) = 0

𝑉𝑑 voltage conversion ratio

𝐼𝐿 = 𝐷𝑇 𝐷 + ∆1 (𝐷 + ∆1 <1)
2𝐿 𝑠
𝑉𝑜 𝐷
𝑀 𝐷 = =
𝑉𝑑 ∆1

𝐼𝑜 ∆1
=
𝐼𝑑 𝐷
 3. Buck-boost converter

Since 𝑉𝑜 is kept constant, it is useful to obtain 𝐷 as a

function of the output load current for various values
of 𝑉𝑜 /𝑉𝑑 . Using the equations derived earlier, we find
that:
𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜
𝐷=
𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑜𝐵,𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑉𝑜 = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
3. Buck-boost converter

𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠
𝐼𝑜𝐵𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2𝐿

𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑠 2
𝐼𝑜𝐵 = 1−𝐷
2𝐿
 Topology selection

Worst-case design considers the ranges in which

the input voltage and the output load vary.
Normally converters are designed to operate in
CCM, unless the application requires otherwise.
To ensure CCM under very light load that would
require prohibitively high inductance values.
Typically a value no larger than 3xLcrit is chosen
(Lcrit obtained at boundary between DCM and
CCM at full load).
The buck-boost converter suffers from several
additional stresses when compared to the other
topologies (see table)

The use of synchronous-rectified buck converter at low power levels (to avoid the power-pole,
diode and mosfet, and unnaceptable voltage drop which can be high in comparison to the output, two
mosfets can be used.

Combination of buck and boost

where the switches are
controlled by complimentary
signals allows a continouous bi-
directional power and current
capability.

q corresponds to the switching

function

[REF] Power Electronics and Drives – Ned Mohan

4. Switch-mode power supply, isolation
4. Switch-mode power supply, isolation
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)

General remarks:

• C is very large resulting in constant output voltage 𝑉𝑜 ;

• The circuit operates in steady-state: all voltages and current are periodic and ending at the same
points over one switching period;

• The circuit operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM), with small inductor current ripple;

• The magnetizing current of the flyback transformer is unipolar, and hence no more than half of
the core material 𝐵(𝐻) loop can be utilized;

• The converter is ideal, 𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 .

 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF

𝑉𝑑
𝜙 𝑡 =𝜙 0 + 𝑡 0 < 𝑡 < 𝑡𝑜𝑛
𝑁1
𝑉𝑑
𝜙෠ = 𝜙 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝜙 0 + 𝑡
𝑁1 𝑜𝑛
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch
ON

𝑉𝑑
𝜙 𝑡 =𝜙 0 + 𝑡 0 < 𝑡 < 𝑡𝑜𝑛
𝑁1
𝑉𝑑
𝜙෠ = 𝜙 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝜙 0 + 𝑡
𝑁1 𝑜𝑛
4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch
OFF

𝑣2 = −𝑉𝑜
𝑡𝑜𝑛 < 𝑡 < 𝑇𝑠
𝑉𝑂
𝜙 𝑡 = 𝜙෠ − 𝑡
𝑁2 𝑜𝑓𝑓
𝜙 𝑇𝑠 = 𝜙 0

𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑑 𝑉𝑂
𝜙 𝑇𝑠 = 𝜙෠ − 𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓 = 𝜙 0 + 𝑡𝑜𝑛 − 𝑡
𝑁2 𝑁1 𝑁2 𝑜𝑓𝑓
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF

𝑉𝑑 𝑣2 = −𝑉𝑜
𝜙 𝑡 =𝜙 0 + 𝑡 0 < 𝑡 < 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑜𝑛 < 𝑡 < 𝑇𝑠
𝑁1 𝑉𝑂
𝑉𝑑 𝜙 𝑡 = 𝜙෠ − 𝑡
𝜙෠ = 𝜙 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝜙 0 + 𝑁2 𝑜𝑓𝑓
𝑡 𝜙 𝑇𝑠 = 𝜙 0
𝑁1 𝑜𝑛
𝑉𝑂 𝑉𝑑 𝑉𝑂
𝑁2 𝐷 𝜙 𝑇𝑠 = 𝜙෠ − 𝑡𝑜𝑓𝑓 = 𝜙 0 + 𝑡𝑜𝑛 − 𝑡
𝑉𝑜 = 𝑉𝑑 𝑁2 𝑁1 𝑁2 𝑜𝑓𝑓
𝑁1 1 − 𝐷
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF

𝑉𝑜 2 𝑉𝑜 2 𝑁2 𝑉𝑜 𝑁2 𝐼𝑜
𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑠𝑤 = 𝑃𝑜 = 𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑠𝑤 = 𝐷𝐼𝑚 𝐼𝑚 = = =
𝑅 𝑉𝑑 𝐷𝑅 𝑁1 (1 − 𝐷)𝑅 𝑁1 (1 − 𝐷)
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)
Equivalent circuit with switch Equivalent circuit with switch
ON OFF

2
(1−𝐷)2 𝑅 𝑁1 ∆𝑉𝑜 𝐷
• CCM  𝐼𝑚,𝑚𝑖𝑛 > 0 𝐿𝑚,𝑓 = = 𝑅𝐶𝑓
2𝑓 𝑁2 𝑉𝑜

• DCM  when the switch is open, the current in 𝐿𝑚 decreases to zero

before the start of the next switching cycle.
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)

Exercises:
• A flyback converter has the following circuit parameters:
𝑁1
𝑉𝑆 = 24𝑉, = 3, 𝐿𝑚 = 500𝜇𝐻, 𝑅 = 5Ω, 𝐶 = 200𝜇𝐹, 𝑓 = 40𝑘𝐻𝑧, 𝑉𝑜 = 5𝑉
𝑁2
Determine : a) the required duty ratio; b) the average, the maximum and minimum
values for the current in 𝐿𝑚 and c) the output voltage ripple.
∆𝑉𝑜
SOLUTIONS: 𝐷 = 0.385, 𝐼𝑚 = 540𝑚𝐴, Δ𝑖𝑚 = 460𝑚𝐴, 𝐼𝑚,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 770𝑚𝐴, 𝐼𝑚,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 310𝑚𝐴, = 0.96%
𝑉𝑜
 4. Flyback converter (Switch-mode power supply)

Exercises:
• Design a flyback converter to produce an output of 32V from an input of 24V. The
load resistance is 20. Design for CCM in the transformer magnetizing inductance.
The minimum current in the magnetizing inductance should be 20% of the average
current. The voltage ripple on the output must be less than 1%. Choose the
transformer turns ratio and magnetizing inductance, the switching frequency
(30kHz), the duty ratio of the switch and the output capacitor. Assume that all
components are ideal.
𝑁1
SOLUTIONS: 𝐷 = 0.4 𝑓𝑜𝑟 = 0.5, 𝐼𝑚 = 5.33𝐴, 𝐼𝑚,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1.07𝐴, 𝐿𝑚 = 37.5𝜇𝐻, 𝐶 = 66.7𝜇𝐹
𝑁2