UNIT III

DC Choppers

Introduction

Chopper is a static device.

A variable dc voltage is obtained from a
constant dc voltage source.
Also known as dc-to-dc converter.
Widely used for motor control.
Also used in regenerative braking.
Thyristor converter offers greater efficiency,
faster response, lower maintenance, smaller
size and smooth control.
EE2301-POWER EL

Choppers are of Two Types

Step-down choppers.
Step-up choppers.
In step down chopper output voltage is
less than input voltage.
In step up chopper output voltage is
more than input voltage.

EE2301-POWER EL

Principle Of
Step-down Chopper
C hopper
i0

EE2301-POWER EL

 A step-down chopper with resistive load.

The thyristor in the circuit acts as a switch.
When thyristor is ON, supply voltage
appears across the load
When thyristor is OFF, the voltage across
the load will be zero.

EE2301-POWER EL

v0
V
V
tON

dc

tOFF

i0
V /R
Idc
T
EE2301-POWER EL

Vdc Average value of output or load voltage.

I dc Average value of output or load current.
tON Time interval for which SCR conducts.
tOFF Time interval for which SCR is OFF.
T tON tOFF Period of switching or chopping period.
1
f Freq. of chopper switching or chopping freq.
T
EE2301-POWER EL

Average Output Voltage

tON
Vdc V

tON tOFF
tON
Vdc V
V .d
T
tON
but
d duty cycle
t
EE2301-POWER EL

Average Output Current

Vdc
I dc
R
V tON
V
I dc
d
R T
R
RMS value of output voltage
1
VO
T

tON

v dt
2
o

EE2301-POWER EL

But during tON , vo V

Therefore RMS output voltage
1
VO
T

tON

V
dt

tON
V
VO
tON
.V
T
T
VO d .V
EE2301-POWER EL

Output power PO VO I O
VO
But
IO
R
Output power
2
O

V
PO
R
2
dV
PO
R
EE2301-POWER EL

Effective input resistance of chopper

V
Ri
I dc
R
Ri
d
The output voltage can be varied by
varying the duty cycle.
EE2301-POWER EL

Methods Of Control
The output dc voltage can be varied by the
following methods.
Pulse width modulation control or
constant frequency operation.
Variable frequency control.

EE2301-POWER EL

Pulse Width Modulation

tON is varied keeping chopping frequency
f & chopping period T constant.
Output voltage is varied by varying the ON
time tON

EE2301-POWER EL

V
tON

tOFF
t

T
V

tO N

tOFF
EE2301-POWER EL

Variable Frequency Control

Chopping frequency f is varied keeping
either tON or tOFF constant.
To obtain full output voltage range,
frequency has to be varied over a wide
range.
This method produces harmonics in the
output and for large tOFF load current may
become discontinuous
EE2301-POWER EL

v0
V
tON

tOFF

T
v0
V
tO N

tO FF
t
T
EE2301-POWER EL

Step-down Chopper
With R-L Load
C hopper

i0

+
R

FW D

L
E

EE2301-POWER EL

 When chopper is ON, supply is connected

across load.
Current flows from supply to load.
When chopper is OFF, load current
continues to flow in the same direction
through FWD due to energy stored in
inductor L.

EE2301-POWER EL

 Load current can be continuous or

discontinuous depending on the values of
L and duty cycle d
For a continuous current operation, load
current varies between two limits Imax and
Imin
When current becomes equal to Imax the
chopper is turned-off and it is turned-on
when current reduces to Imin.
EE2301-POWER EL

v0

O u tp u t
v o lta g e

V
tO N
i0

tO FF
T

Im ax

O u tp u t
c u rre n t

I m in

C o n tin u o u s
c u rre n t

i0

O u tp u t
c u rre n t
D is c o n tin u o u s
c u rre n t
t
EE2301-POWER EL

Expressions For
Load Current
iO For Continuous Current
Operation When
Chopper Is ON (0 t tON)

i0

+
R

L
E
-

diO
V iO R L
E
dt
Taking Laplace Transform
V
E

RI O S L S .I O S iO 0
S
S

At t 0, initial current iO 0 I min

I min
V E
IO S

R
R

LS S S
L
L

EE2301-POWER EL

Taking Inverse Laplace Transform

V E

iO t
1 e
R

R
t
L

R
t
L

I min e

This expression is valid for 0 t tON ,

i.e., during the period chopper is ON.
At the instant the chopper is turned off,
load current is iO tON I max
EE2301-POWER EL

When Chopper is OFF

i0
R
L
E
EE2301-POWER EL

When Chopper is OFF 0 t tOFF

diO
0 RiO L
E
dt
Talking Laplace transform
E
0 RI O S L SI O S iO 0
S
Redefining time origin we have at t 0,

initial current iO 0

max

EE2301-POWER EL

I max
E
IO S

R
R

S
LS S
L
L

Taking Inverse Laplace Transform

iO t I max e

R
t
L

E
1 e
R

EE2301-POWER EL

R
t
L

The expression is valid for 0 t tOFF ,

i.e., during the period chopper is OFF
At the instant the chopper is turned ON or at
the end of the off period, the load current is
iO tOFF I min
EE2301-POWER EL

To Find I max & I min

From equation

V E

iO t
1

At

R
t
L

R
t
L

I min e

t tON dT , iO t I max
I max

V E

1 e
R

dRT

EE2301-POWER EL

I min e

dRT

From equation

E
iO t I max e 1 e
R

t tOFF T tON , iO t I min

R
t
L

At

t tOFF 1 d T
EE2301-POWER EL

R
t
L

I min I max e

1 d RT

1 d RT

1 e

Substituting for I min in equation

I max

dRT
dRT

L
V E
L

I
e

min
R

we get,

I max

dRT
L

V 1 e
E

RT

R
R
L
1 e
EE2301-POWER EL

Substituting for I max in equation

I min I max e

1 d RT
L

1 e

1 d RT

we get,

V e 1
E
I min

RT
R L
R
e 1
I max I min is known as the steady state ripple.
dRT
L

EE2301-POWER EL

Therefore peak-to-peak ripple current

I I max I min
Average output voltage
Vdc d .V
Average output current
I max I min
I dc approx
2
EE2301-POWER EL

Assuming load current varies linearly

from I min to I max instantaneous
load current is given by
iO I min

I .t

iO I min

for 0 t tON dT

dT
I max I min
t
dT

EE2301-POWER EL

RMS value of load current

I O RMS
I O RMS
I O RMS

dT

dT

dT

dT

dT

dT

2
i
0 dt
0

I min

dT

dt

2 I min I max I min t

I max I min
2

t
dt

dT
dT

I max I min t

2
min

EE2301-POWER EL

RMS value of output current

I max I min

I O RMS I
3

RMS chopper current

I CH
I CH

2
min

dT

dT

I min I max I min

i dt
2
0

I max I min

I min
dT

EE2301-POWER EL

dt

1
2

I CH d I

2
min

I max I min

I min I max I min

I CH d I O RMS
Effective input resistance is
V
Ri
IS
EE2301-POWER EL

1
2

Where
I S Average source current
I S dI dc

V
Ri
dI dc
EE2301-POWER EL

Principle Of Step-up Chopper

I

L
+

D
+

V
C hopper

L
O
A
D

EE2301-POWER EL

 Step-up chopper is used to obtain a load

voltage higher than the input voltage V.
The values of L and C are chosen
depending upon the requirement of output
voltage and current.
When the chopper is ON, the inductor L is
connected across the supply.
The inductor current I rises and the
inductor stores energy during the ON time
of the chopper, tON.
EE2301-POWER EL

 When the chopper is off, the inductor

current I is forced to flow through the diode
D and load for a period, tOFF.
The current tends to decrease resulting in
reversing the polarity of induced EMF in L.
Therefore voltage across load is given by

dI
VO V L
i.e., VO V
dt
EE2301-POWER EL

 A large capacitor C connected across the

load, will provide a continuous output
voltage .
Diode D prevents any current flow from
capacitor to the source.
Step up choppers are used for
regenerative braking of dc motors.

EE2301-POWER EL

Expression For Output Voltage

Assume the average inductor current to be
I during ON and OFF time of Chopper.
When Chopper is ON
Voltage across inductor L V
Therefore energy stored in inductor
= V .I .tON
Where tON ON period of chopper.
EE2301-POWER EL

When Chopper is OFF

(energy is supplied by inductor to load)
Voltage across L VO V

Energy supplied by inductor L VO V ItOFF

where tOFF OFF period of Chopper.
Neglecting losses, energy stored in inductor
L = energy supplied by inductor L
EE2301-POWER EL

 VItON VO V ItOFF
VO

V tON tOFF
tOFF

T
VO V

T tON
Where
T = Chopping period or period
of switching.
EE2301-POWER EL

T tON tOFF

VO V

VO V

tON
1
T
1

1 d

tON
Where d
duty cyle
T
EE2301-POWER EL

For variation of duty cycle ' d ' in the

range of 0 d 1 the output voltage VO
will vary in the range V VO

EE2301-POWER EL

Performance Parameters

The thyristor requires a certain minimum time

to turn ON and turn OFF.
Duty cycle d can be varied only between a min.
& max. value, limiting the min. and max. value
of the output voltage.
Ripple in the load current depends inversely on
the chopping frequency, f.
To reduce the load ripple current, frequency
should be as high as possible.
EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
A Chopper circuit is operating on TRC at a
frequency of 2 kHz on a 460 V supply. If
the load voltage is 350 volts, calculate the
conduction period of the thyristor in each
cycle.

EE2301-POWER EL

V 460 V, Vdc = 350 V, f = 2 kHz

Chopping period

Output voltage

1
T
f
1
T
0.5 m sec
3
2 10
tON
Vdc
V

EE2301-POWER EL

Conduction period of thyristor

T Vdc
tON
V
3
0.5 10 350
tON
460
tON 0.38 msec
EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
Input to the step up chopper is 200 V. The
output required is 600 V. If the conducting
time of thyristor is 200 sec. Compute
Chopping frequency,
If the pulse width is halved for constant
frequency of operation, find the new
output voltage.

EE2301-POWER EL

V 200 V , tON 200 s, Vdc 600V

T
Vdc V

T tON

600 200
6
T 200 10
Solving for T
T 300 s
EE2301-POWER EL

Chopping frequency
1
f
T
1
f
3.33KHz
6
300 10
Pulse width is halved

tON

200 10

100 s

EE2301-POWER EL

Frequency is constant

f 3.33KHz
1
T 300 s
f

T
Output voltage = V

T tON

300 10

300
Volts
6
300 100 10

200

EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
A dc chopper has a resistive load of 20
and input voltage VS = 220V. When
chopper is ON, its voltage drop is 1.5 volts
and chopping frequency is 10 kHz. If the
duty cycle is 80%, determine the average
output voltage and the chopper on time.
EE2301-POWER EL

VS 220V , R 20, f 10 kHz

tON
d
0.80
T
Vch = Voltage drop across chopper = 1.5 volts
Average output voltage
tON
Vdc
VS Vch
T

Vdc 0.80 220 1.5 174.8 Volts

EE2301-POWER EL

Chopper ON time,

tON dT

Chopping period,

1
T
f

1
3
T
0.110 secs 100 secs
3
10 10
Chopper ON time,
tON dT
tON 0.80 0.110

tON 0.08 10 80 secs

EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
In a dc chopper, the average load current
is 30 Amps, chopping frequency is 250
Hz, supply voltage is 110 volts. Calculate
the ON and OFF periods of the chopper if
the load resistance is 2 ohms.

EE2301-POWER EL

I dc 30 Amps, f 250 Hz, V 110 V , R 2

1
1
Chopping period, T
4 10 3 4 msecs
f 250
Vdc
I dc
& Vdc dV
R
dV

I dc
R
I dc R 30 2
d

0.545
V
110
EE2301-POWER EL

Chopper ON period,
3

tON dT 0.545 4 10 2.18 msecs

Chopper OFF period,
tOFF T tON
tOFF 4 103 2.18 103
3

tOFF 1.82 10 1.82 msec

EE2301-POWER EL

 A dc chopper in figure has a resistive load

of R = 10 and input voltage of V = 200
V. When chopper is ON, its voltage drop is
2 V and the chopping frequency is 1 kHz. If
the duty cycle is 60%, determine
Average output voltage
RMS value of output voltage
Effective input resistance of chopper
Chopper efficiency.
EE2301-POWER EL

C hopper

i0

v0

V 200 V , R 10, Chopper voltage drop Vch 2V

d 0.60, f 1 kHz.
EE2301-POWER EL

Average output voltage

Vdc d V Vch

Vdc 0.60 200 2 118.8 Volts

RMS value of output voltage
VO d V Vch
VO 0.6 200 2 153.37 Volts
EE2301-POWER EL

Effective input resistance of chopper is

V
V
Ri
I S I dc
Vdc 118.8
I dc

11.88 Amps
R
10
V
V
200
Ri

16.83
I S I dc 11.88
Output power is
1
PO
T

dT

2
0

v
1
dt
R
T

dT

V Vch

EE2301-POWER EL

dt

d V Vch
PO
R
PO

0.6 200 2
10

2352.24 watts

Input power,
1
Pi
T
1
PO
T

dT

Vi dt
O

V V Vch
0 R dt

dT

EE2301-POWER EL

dV V Vch
PO
R
0.6 200 200 2
PO
2376 watts
10
Chopper efficiency,
PO
100
Pi
2352.24

100 99%
2376
EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
A chopper is supplying an inductive load with a
free-wheeling diode. The load inductance is 5 H
and resistance is 10.. The input voltage to the
chopper is 200 volts and the chopper is operating
at a frequency of 1000 Hz. If the ON/OFF time
ratio is 2:3. Calculate
Maximum and minimum values of load current
in one cycle of chopper operation.
Average load current
EE2301-POWER EL

L 5 H , R 10, f 1000 Hz,

V 200 V , tON : tOFF 2 : 3
Chopping period,
1
1
T
1 msecs
f 1000
tON 2

tOFF 3
tON

2
tOFF
3
EE2301-POWER EL

T tON tOFF
2
T tOFF tOFF
3
5
T tOFF
3
tOFF

3
T
5

3
3
T 1 10 0.6 msec
5

EE2301-POWER EL

tON T tOFF
tON 1 0.6 103 0.4 msec
Duty cycle,
3

tON 0.4 10
d

0.4
3
T
110
Maximum value of load current is given by

I max

dRT
L

V 1 e
E

RT

R
R
L
1 e
EE2301-POWER EL

Since there is no voltage source in

the load circuit, E = 0

I max

I max

dRT
L

V 1 e

RT

R
1 e L
3
0.4

10

10

5
200 1 e

101103
10

1 e 5
EE2301-POWER EL

 1 e

I max 20

0.8103

1 e

2103

I max 8.0047A
Minimum value of load current with E = 0
is given by

I min

dRT
L

V e

RT

R
e L

EE2301-POWER EL

7.995
A

0.4101103
5

200 e
I min

101103
10
e 5
Average load current
I max I min
I dc
2
8.0047 7.995
I dc
8 A
2
EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
A chopper feeding on RL load is shown in figure,
with V = 200 V, R = 5, L = 5 mH,
f = 1 kHz,
d = 0.5 and E = 0 V. Calculate
Maximum and minimum values of load current.
Average value of load current.
RMS load current.
Effective input resistance as seen by source.
RMS chopper current.

EE2301-POWER EL

V = 200 V, R = 5 , L = 5 mH,
f = 1kHz, d = 0.5, E = 0
Chopping period is
1
1
3
T
1 10 secs
3
f 110
C hopper

i0

+
R

FW D

L
E

EE2301-POWER EL

v0

Maximum value of load current is given by

I max

I max

I max

dRT
L

V 1 e
E

RT

R
R
L
1 e
3
0.5

10

3
200 1 e 510

51103
5

1 e 5103

1 e 0.5
40
24.9 A
1
1 e
EE2301-POWER EL

Minimum value of load current is given by

I min

dRT
L

V e

RT

R
e L

I min

I min

1
E

R
1

1
0
1

0.551103
3

200 e 510

51103
5
e 5103

e0.5 1
40 1 15.1 A
e 1
EE2301-POWER EL

Average value of load current is

I1 I 2
I dc
2
for linear variation of currents
24.9 15.1

I dc
20 A
2
RMS load current is given by

I O RMS I

2
min

I max I min

I min I max I min

EE2301-POWER EL

1
2

24.9 15.1

2
15.1

I O RMS

15.1 24.9 15.1

96.04

I O RMS 228.01
147.98
3

RMS chopper current is given by

1
2

20.2 A

I ch d I O RMS 0.5 20.2 14.28 A

EE2301-POWER EL

1
2

Effective input resistance is

V
Ri
IS
I S = Average source current
I S dI dc
I S 0.5 20 10 A
Therefore effective input resistance is
V 200
Ri
20
IS
10
EE2301-POWER EL

Classification Of Choppers
Choppers are classified as
Class A Chopper
Class B Chopper
Class C Chopper
Class D Chopper
Class E Chopper

EE2301-POWER EL

Class A Chopper
i0
C hopper
V

FW D

+
L
O
A
D

v0

v0 V

EE2301-POWER EL

i0

 When chopper is ON, supply voltage V is

connected across the load.
When chopper is OFF, vO = 0 and the load
current continues to flow in the same
direction through the FWD.
The average values of output voltage and
current are always positive.
Class A Chopper is a first quadrant
chopper .
EE2301-POWER EL

 Class A Chopper is a step-down chopper

in which power always flows form source
to load.
It is used to control the speed of dc motor.
The output current equations obtained in
step down chopper with R-L load can be
used to study the performance of Class A
Chopper.
EE2301-POWER EL

ig

T h y r is to r
g a te p u ls e
t

i0

O u tp u t c u rre n t
CH O N
t
F W D C o n d u c ts

v0

tO N

O u tp u t v o lta g e

t
T

EE2301-POWER EL

Class B Chopper

i0

v0

+
R
L

v0

C hopper
E

EE2301-POWER EL

i0

 When chopper is ON, E drives a current

through L and R in a direction opposite to
that shown in figure.
During the ON period of the chopper, the
inductance L stores energy.
When Chopper is OFF, diode D conducts,
and part of the energy stored in inductor L
is returned to the supply.
EE2301-POWER EL

 Average output voltage is positive.

Average output current is negative.
Therefore Class B Chopper operates in
second quadrant.
In this chopper, power flows from load to
source.
Class B Chopper is used for regenerative
braking of dc motor.
Class B Chopper is a step-up chopper.
EE2301-POWER EL

ig

T h y r is to r
g a te p u ls e
t

i0

tO F F

tO N
T

t
O u tp u t c u rre n t

Im

ax

Im

in

v0

D
c o n d u c ts C h o p p e r
c o n d u c ts

O u tp u t v o lta g e

EE2301-POWER EL

Expression for Output Current

During the interval diode 'D' conducts

voltage equation is given by
LdiO
V
RiO E
dt
For the initial condition i.e.,
iO t I min at t 0
The solution of the above equation is obtained
along similar lines as in step-down chopper
with R-L load
EE2301-POWER EL


V E
iO t
1 e I min e
R

At t tOFF
i O t I max
R
t
L

I max

R
t
L

0 t tOFF

R
R

tOFF

V E
OFF
L
L

I
e

min
R

During the interval chopper is ON voltage

equation is given by
LdiO
0
RiO E
dt
EE2301-POWER EL

Redefining the time origin, at t 0 iO t I max

The solution for the stated initial condition is
iO t I max e

R
t
L

E
L
1 e
R

iO t I min

At t tON
I min I max e

R
tON
L

tON

E
1 e L
R

EE2301-POWER EL

0 t tON

Class C Chopper

CH

i0

v0

V
CH

v0

C hopper
E

i0

EE2301-POWER EL

 Class C Chopper is a combination of Class A

and Class B Choppers.
For first quadrant operation, CH1 is ON or D2
conducts.
For second quadrant operation, CH2 is ON or D1
conducts.
When CH1 is ON, the load current is positive.
The output voltage is equal to V & the load
receives power from the source.
When CH1 is turned OFF, energy stored in
inductance L forces current to flow through the
diode D2 and the output voltage is zero.
EE2301-POWER EL

 Current continues to flow in positive direction.

When CH2 is triggered, the voltage E forces
current to flow in opposite direction through L
and CH2 .
The output voltage is zero.
On turning OFF CH2 , the energy stored in the
inductance drives current through diode D1 and
the supply
Output voltage is V, the input current becomes
negative and power flows from load to source.
EE2301-POWER EL

 Average output voltage is positive

Average output current can take both
positive and negative values.
Choppers CH1 & CH2 should not be turned
ON simultaneously as it would result in short
circuiting the supply.
Class C Chopper can be used both for dc
motor control and regenerative braking of dc
motor.
Class C Chopper can be used as a step-up
or step-down chopper.
EE2301-POWER EL

ig1

G a te p u ls e
of C H 1
t

ig2

G a te p u ls e
of C H 2
t

i0
O u tp u t c u rre n t
t
D

CH 1
O N

CH 2
O N

CH 1
O N

CH 2
O N

O u tp u t v o lta g e

EE2301-POWER EL

Class D Chopper
v0
CH

R
V

+
D

i0

v0
CH

EE2301-POWER EL

i0

 Class D is a two quadrant chopper.

When both CH1 and CH2 are triggered
simultaneously, the output voltage vO = V
and output current flows through the load.
When CH1 and CH2 are turned OFF, the
load current continues to flow in the same
direction through load, D1 and D2 , due to
the energy stored in the inductor L.
Output voltage vO = - V .
EE2301-POWER EL

 Average load voltage is positive if chopper

ON time is more than the OFF time
Average output voltage becomes negative
if tON < tOFF .
Hence the direction of load current is
always positive but load voltage can be
positive or negative.

EE2301-POWER EL

ig 1

G a te p u ls e
of C H 1
t

ig 2

G a te p u ls e
of C H 2
t

i0
O u tp u t c u rre n t

v0

C H 1,C H
O N

D 1 ,D 2 C o n d u c tin g
O u tp u t v o lta g e

V
A v era g e v0

EE2301-POWER EL

ig1

G a te p u ls e
of C H 1
t

ig2

G a te p u ls e
of C H 2
t

i0
O u tp u t c u rre n t
CH
CH

1
2

t
D 1, D

v0

O u tp u t v o lta g e

V
A v era g e v0

EE2301-POWER EL

Class E Chopper

CH

CH

i0

V
+
CH

L
v0

EE2301-POWER EL

CH

Four Quadrant Operation

v0

CH
D

2
1

- D
- D

4
4

C o n d u c ts
C o n d u c ts

CH
CH

1
4

- CH 4 O N
- D 2 C o n d u c ts
i0

CH 3 - CH 2 O N
C H 2 - D 4 C o n d u c ts

D 2 - D 3 C o n d u c ts
C H 4 - D 2 C o n d u c ts

EE2301-POWER EL

 Class E is a four quadrant chopper

When CH1 and CH4 are triggered, output
current iO flows in positive direction through
CH1 and CH4, and with output voltage vO = V.
This gives the first quadrant operation.
When both CH1 and CH4 are OFF, the energy
stored in the inductor L drives iO through D2
and D3 in the same direction, but output
voltage vO = -V.

EE2301-POWER EL

 Therefore the chopper operates in the

fourth quadrant.
When CH2 and CH3 are triggered, the load
current iO flows in opposite direction &
output voltage vO = -V.
Since both iO and vO are negative, the
chopper operates in third quadrant.

EE2301-POWER EL

 When both CH2 and CH3 are OFF, the

load current iO continues to flow in the
same direction D1 and D4 and the output
voltage
vO = V.
Therefore the chopper operates in second
quadrant as vO is positive but iO is
negative.

EE2301-POWER EL

Problem
For the first quadrant chopper shown in figure,
express the following variables as functions of V,
R and duty cycle d in case load is resistive.
Average output voltage and current
Output current at the instant of commutation
Average and RMS free wheeling diode current.
RMS value of output voltage
RMS and average thyristor currents.
EE2301-POWER EL

i0
C hopper
V

FW D

+
L
O
A
D

v0

EE2301-POWER EL

 tON
Average output voltage, Vdc
V dV
T
Vdc dV
Average output current, I dc

R
R
The thyristor is commutated at the instant t tON
V
output current at the instant of commutation is
R
since V is the output voltage at that instant.
EE2301-POWER EL

Free wheeling diode (FWD) will never

conduct in a resistive load.
Average & RMS free wheeling diode
currents are zero.
VO RMS
But

tON

v dt
2
0

vO V during tON
EE2301-POWER EL

tON

VO RMS

VO RMS

tON
V

V
dt

VO RMS dV
tON
Where duty cycle, d
T
EE2301-POWER EL

RMS value of thyristor current

= RMS value of load current

VO RMS

R
dV

R
Average value of thyristor current
= Average value of load current
dV

EE2301-POWER EL

Simple DC-DC Converter Topologies

Buck Converter or
Step Down Converter

Boost Converter or
Step Up converter

Buck-Boost
Converter
EE2301-POWER EL

SMPS benefits
Very wide input voltage range.
For example: most personal computer power supplies are
SMPSs - accepting AC input 90V to 250V.
Lower Quiescent Current than linear regulators
Less heat than an equivalent linear regulator.
Much Lower Green House Gas emissions
Overall Smaller geometry components are used
Lighter Weight
Lower running cost - Lower total cost of ownership (TCO).
Battery operated devices - longer lifetime.

EE2301-POWER EL

SMPS disadvantages
Significant Output Ripple
May need a post filter to decrease ripple
May need a secondary linear low drop out
regulator to ensure damaging voltage transients
keep away from voltage sensitive elements electronics.
An SMPS May add too much cost.
How much is too much?

EE2301-POWER EL