2004 lntemational Conference on
-
Power System Technology POWERCON2004
Slngapore, 21-24 November 2004
A GUI Based Simulation of Power Electronic
Converters and Reactive Power Compensators
Using MATLAB/SIMULINK
Suryanarayana Doolla Sunil. S . Bhat
Abstmct--This paper presents an intuitive graphical user
interface for simulation of various topologies of dc-dc
converters, ac-dc converters and reactive power compensators,
The simulator is developed using GUIDE tool of MATLAB,
which acta as a front-end interface. T h e circuits are simulated
using SIMULINK Power system toolbox of MATLAB. The user
can select a circuit for a class of converterkompematorfrom the
avdable list. Once the topology is selected, the software prompts
the user to give thc spe&cations. The corresponding simulink
model for the circuit Is selected and simulated in the background
in a user-transparent manner. The user can selectively view the
waveforms at various nodes and through elemenb. In case of dc-
dc convertem an additional option of step-by-step design for
desired topology is available in which the user will be guided by
the simulator for selection of parameters depending upon design
specifications such as continuous or discontinuous inductor
current, required ripple in the output voltage etc. The
simulations obtained using this developed package are verified
using a circnit odcnted PSIM simulator and they are closely
matching with each other. Thus, this package can prove to be
useful learning tool for the power community.
I d a Tenns - switched-mode converters, Matlab/Simulink, Power
electronics simulation tool, Reactive power compensators, Magentics development of GUI is discussed. Overview of the simulation
design.
I. INTRODUCT~ON
Due to rapid development of nations, high fiequency
conversion systems are increasingly used in various
applications. These include right fiom small to higher power
levels, viz, s d power levels as in switch-mode power
supplies [l], medium and high power levels such as in drives,
power transmission systems [2]-[3]. Due to increasing demand
the power conversion systems becoming more and more
complex in their structure. As a result it is essential to go in
for Computer aided system analysis before being a topology/
power electronic system is constructed [4]. In recent times
there are several power electronic computer aided (PE-CAD)
tools are evolving for the design and analysis of power
electronic systems.
Suryanarayana.Doolla, Sunil.S.Bhat, Dr.f.S.Bhatti are with Centre for
Energy studies, Indian institute of Technology Delhi,I d a .
Dr.Veerachary.MYis with Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian
hstitute of Technology Delhi,India.
email : mvchary(4ee.iitd.emet.h
0-7803-8610-8104/$20.00 0 2004 IEEE
T. S . Bfiatti Veerachary. M
However, each of these simulators has their own merits and
demerits, limitations either from the analysis point of view or
fiom economical considerations. In this paper we are
exploring possibilities of making a simpIe power electronic
user-fiendly simulator based on SIMULMK platform [5].
The developed simulator basically uses all the available
facilities of the MATLAEVSIMULINK including graphical
user interface (GUI). It is a user-fiendly tool, gives the basic
understanding of most commonly used switch-mode
topologies and reactive power compensators. All the switch-
mode topologies use magnetics, inductive component, and its
design is a crucial part for satisfactory operation of the switch-
mode converters. Most of the PE-CAD tools deal with only
the converter performance analysis, where in there is no
possibility to incorporate the magnetics design. In the
proposed simulator in addition to the converter performance
analysis we have incorporated the magnetic design and most
widely used core structures and materials. Hence, these
integrated features gives better understanding of the entire
power elecmonic system.
The paper is organized as follows. In Section II
is given in Section III and example simulations in Section IV.
Conclusions follow in the final section.
II. DEVELOPMENT OF GUI
A graphical user interface is a user interface built with
graphical objects, such as buttons, text fields, sliders, and
menus. Infact these defintions are well known for almost all
computer users. Applications that provide GUIs are generally
easier to learn and use since the person using the application
does not need to know what commands are available or how
to use them. MATLA3 implements GUI through
GUIDE(Graphica1 User Inerface Development Environment)
[5 J which allows the user to create figure windows containing
graphical objects. MATLAB also provides the user some
built-in templates on which the user can develop further. The
user can place graphical objects by drag dropping them on the
figure window and can modify the default properties of these
objects such as Foreground and background color, font types,
sizes, by invoking the Properly Editor. When the user saves
this figure MATLAB generates two files one with .fig
extension which is a figure containing the controls and a
second file with .m extension. In the second file user has to
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write the code in callback routine, which is associated with
each of the graphical object. This code will get executed each
time when the graphical control is activated.
III. SIMULATOR OVERVIEW
The whole simulator is developed using toolboxes available
in MATLAB. In order to run the package the user need to
type ‘menu’ in the command window of MATLAB.As soon
as the user JUS the package, a window consisting drop down
menus will appear on the screen as shown in Fig. 1.
acitor-TCR IFCTW
Fig. 1. Main window showing various compensator/converteF options.
The package is made up of two sets of programs. One set
is responsible for the graphical user interface, which allows
the user to specify components as well as simulation
parameters for the intended application function and view the
output produced by the chosen application. The other set of
programs include a set of application functions, which collect
the inputs from the graphical user interface and passes the
same to corresponding simufink model, execute the model and
provide proper output to the user.
At present the package provides the complete system
simulation of the following power converter topologies.
Reactive power compensators
Switched mode dc-dc converters
Switched mode ac-dc converters
The configuration of the overall package is iIlustrated in Fig.1.
A. Reactive power Compensators
Although there are several reactive compensator available
we have so far developed the following compensator
configurations in our simulator environment. They are
Thyristor switched capacitor (TSC), Thyristor controlled
reactor (TCR), Fixed capacitor- Thyristor controlled reactor
(FC-TCR),Thyristor switched capacitor-Thyristor controlled
reactor (TSC-TCR)which can be directly chosen fiom the
f i t drop-down menu as shown in Fig. 1. Theoretical as well
as analytical analysis, simulation, circuit building, and
harmonic analysis can be obtained for any chosen converter.
B. Switched made dc-dc converters
Different dc-dc converter configurations can be directly
chosen from the second drop-down menu as shown in Fig. I .
An option of step-by-step design of the dc-dc converter is
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made available in which the user can design the converter
with the guidance of the GUI.The main advantage of this type
of design is the user will have a clear idea of what are the
steps involved in the process. This will definitely enrich the
students thinking process. Apart from design of switched
mode converters, magnetics design is also made available.
C. Switched mode ac-dc converters
Different phase controlled rectifiers can be chosen fiom the
third drop-down menu. Theoretical as well as analyticaI
analysis, simulation, harmonic analysis can be obtained for
any chosen rectifier.
At any time user can select only one circuit and predict its
complete performance. As soon as the user selects the
configuration to simulate, a window showing the circuit
diagram and circuit specifications will pop-up. Depending
upon the nature of the circuit selected, the user need to input
the data and specify the output requirement. Each application
requires a set of simulation and/or solution options to be
specified by the user. The solution and w e of options vary
depending upon the application. Some options set parameters
for the simulation method and constraint enforcement. Others
allow user to specify the desired quantities to be displayed on
the graphical interface upon execution of the application. As
soon as the user inputs the data and press RUN button
available in the window, a window will pop-up indicating that
the simulation has started. Once the simulation process is
complete the user can select and view the waveforms (current,
voltage) of various elements in the circuit topology. For
further analysis, the Fourier button can be used to perform
harmonic analysis of some chosen waveforms.
IV.GUI SIMULATION-EXAMPLES
Some illustrative examples are presented in order to highlight
the features of the developed simuIator.
A. Simulation of ThyristorSwitched Capacitor
Thyristor switched capacitor is a circuit whose reactance is
varied in a step-wise manner by full- or zero-conduction
operation of the thyristor valve.
1
Fig. 2. GUI for Thyristor Switched Capacitor.
As soon as the user selects the Thyristor Switched
Capacitor configuration to simulate a window showing the
circuit diagram and circuit specifications for this
configuration wiIl pop-up as shown in Fig. 2. As per the
requirement, the usef need to specify the required values.
Mer entering parameters, the user is supposed to click the
SAVE && RUN Button available at the bottom of the screen.
The data entered by the user will be assigned to corresponding
global variables by using 'get' command for that particular
iaput(string). When simulation i s executed by using kim'
command these global variables are assigned to the
corresponding parameters of the simulation block. These
commands are written in form of a program in a MATLAB
file WITH '.m' extension. ASsoon as the user clicks SAVE
&& RUN button the system calls corresponding .mfile and
runs the model. The start of the simulation is indicated by a
POP-UP Window Shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5. Plot showing performanceof TSC.

c " " " " " . I

Fig, 3. Message. window - simulation is in progress.

As soon as the simulation is complete a window will pop-

up which has list of waveforms that can be plotted as shown
in Fig. 4 and user can select the waveform from available list.
If the user click comparison button, then a graph of various
plots is displayed, which gives a clear idea of how the
compensation has taken place. For illustration one example is
shown in Fig. 5.
k pu111*1

During negative half cycle of the Fig 6. Simulink Circuit Mock of TSC.
supply voltage, the diode in Fig. 2 is
forward biased and the capacitor will The simulink blockdiagram is built using SimPower
charge to the peak value of supply system toolbox in MATLAB and the parameters are. passed to
voltage and remain at that voltage. it in order to perform simulation as discussed earlier. The
The TSC is tumed ON at the instant simulink circuit block for TSC is shown in Fig. 6 which is
simulated for the circuit parameters of Supply voltage=100 V,
when capacitor reaches negative peak
Frequency50 Hz,Phase angle =O", load resistance=l Q, load
so as to ensure further conduction of
inductance is 1mH and Capacitor bank value is 1000 pfarad.
the capacitor. It can be observed h m
Fig. 5 that the supply current is in 3. Simulation of Buck-Boost converter
phase with the supply voltage and The second application of the developed simulator is
lesser than the non-linear load current switch-mode dc-dc converters. To demonstrate the
after turning ON of the TSC [3]. effectiveness of the developed simulator for the switched
mode dc-dc converters an example of high fiequeacy
Fig. 4. Plot Llst switching converters is given below.
In switched mode dc-dc converters the basic topologies are
buck and boost topologies. Depending upon the application
By looking back into Fig. 2, it can be noted that the user is requirement we may use any one of the topology 'or'
not given the any option for specifymg frring angle of the combination of both. Due to lack of space and page limitation,
capacitor bank, because in this case the capacitor has to be the buck-boost topology is illustrated in the followhg
switched "ON" when both the terminals of the capacitor bank paragraphs.
are at same potential otherwise it will lead to breakdown of A buck-boost regulator provides an output voltage which
the capacitor bank [3], whereas in the case of TCR the user is may be less than or greater than the input voltage. The output
given an option to control the firing pulses of the reactor bank. voltage polarity is opposite to that of the input voltage. This
The input data options given to the user are case specific.

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converter is also known as polarity inverting converter. The
circuit diagram for a buck-boost regulator is shown in Fig. 7.
which can further be simplified as,

and hence,

I +

where D is duty cycle and V, is the output voltage. From (2)

L the capacitor (C) can be easily be determined. Similar analysis
- - can be done for rest of the converters that are included in the
Fig. 7.Buck-Boostconverter. package, viz., Buck, Boost, Cuk, Sepic by choosing proper
modes of operation.
Depending on the whether the switch (S) is ON or OFF, the
This kind of analysis is made available to the user in this
converter operation can be divided in to two modes of
package, where the user can decide the values of the energy
operation. During mode 1 the switch(S) is conducting and

fT.-
storage elements and can clearly observe the mode of
during second mode the switch(S) is open. The circuit state

tfq-
for both modes of operation is shown in Fig. 8. operation. When the user chooses Buck-Boost converter fiom
second drop-down menu in Fig. 1, a window shown in Fig. 9
U will appear.

vo VO

LDad Inad

- MODE4
= MODE-I

Fig. 8. Modes of operationof Buck-Boostconverter.

From the Fig. 8 it is clear that during mode-I, the inductor

stores energy and the load requirement has to be met by the
capacitor. During the second mode of operation the load
current is provided by the energy stored in the inductor and
the capacitor is also charged. Whenever a convater is
designed for a specific purpose, the mode of operation i.e.,
Coniinuous Conduction Mode (CCM) and Discontinuous
Conduction Mode O o f the inductor current has to be
decided. It can be easily proved [6] that at the boundary
between CCM and DCM of the buck-boost converter, Fig. 9. GUI of Buck-Boost Converter,

After inputting the converter specifications the user is

supposed to click the "Design" button present on the screen.
where L & h d , is the critical value of Inductance, R is the load Then the package assigns the input parameters to
resistance, and Fs is the switching frequency. For a given corresponding global variables and it will evaluate the
frequency and load, the critical value of inductance can be inductance at the boundary condition. After evaluating the
easily computed. If the selected inductance is greater than critical value of inductance, the packages displays a screen as
IL~tid then the current is continuous otherwise it is shown in Fig. 10. By looking into the Fig. 10 the user can
discontinuous [6]. The next important parameter to be clearly get an idea that helshe has to choose proper value for
designed is capacitor. inductance to ensure the conduction mode depending on the
Capacitor can be designed by king the output ripple to requirement. By clicking on the button "Choose L and C" the
desired value. Assuming that all the ripple current component user will get a window as shown in Fig. 11 in which L and C
of the diode current flows through the capacitor, and its has to be inputted. Assuming that continuous conduction
average value flows through the load resistor, the peak to peak mode of operation, the user should choose a value that is
voltage ripple is related to circuit parameters by the following
greater that the critical value of inductance.
expression.

1713
I I

Fig. 10. Message window displaying critical values.

The default values available in the window will be the

critical values. Depending upon the mode of conduction the 7- . a
.
..
” ”
‘a& r l - - - - - r ) M d o
user need to mput data for L and C in Fig. 11. After entering
the values for L and C the user can cross check the parameters Fig 13 Smulmk file for Buck-Boost cunvcrtcr
specified as well as evaluated, by clicking on the button
“check circuit parameters”. The package will then show a Thc start of the simulation IS inhcatcd hy a pop-up
window in which the converter specifications, the critical window shown m Fig. I4
values obtained and the values selected by the user are
present. . .. .. _.. . _.
. . . . ..... . .. - . . .. .

SlmulaUon Staned, a window win

popup as when shuldte k complete

Fig 14 Message wmdow iuhcaruq sran of simulation

As soon as the simulabon IS complete a window will pop-

up which has a list of wavcfotms that can be plotted as shown
in Fig. 15. The user can select the waveform tiom available
list as shown in Fig. 15

Fig. 1l. Selecting L and C for proper conduction.

The user at this stage can go back to the buck-boost

converter specifications Window and can change the converter
parameters or can go to the L and C input data window or can
simply click “simulate” button in Fig. 12 to perform
simulation of the buck-boost converter.

]Inductor Current1
ICapacitor current1

Fig. IS. List ofwaveforms for Buck-Boost converter.

The output voltage and inductor current waveforms for the

buck boost converter are shown in Fig. 16. By using the
magnifying tool available in the plot window of Fig. 16 the
user can check whether the current is continuous or not.
Fig. 12. Input and design parameters window
The magnified view of the inductor current to check
whether the current is continuous or discontinuous is shown in
As soon as the user clicks SIMULATE button the package Fig. 17 ffom which it is clear that the inductor current
passes the variables to the simulink block shown in Fig. 13 waveform is continuous.
and runs the simulation.

1714

Fig. 16 Output voltage and lnductor current.
Frg. 17.h d w r current (conbnuous conduction mode)
If the user have selected the ‘L’ value smaller than ‘Lnbd’
then, the inductor current would have taken the shape shown
in Fig. 18.
Fig. 18. Inductorcment (discontinuous conductionMode).
The waveforms shown in Figs. 16 to18 are the simulation
resuIts of the design problem [6]whose specifications are,
Vb=12 V, V0=5 V, F,=25 kHz, Output voltage ripple is
1.42%. It is clear from above simulation results that, the mode
of conduction can be controlled by controlling the inductor
value, when the load, supply voltage and switcbing fiequency
. are kept constant. By using step-by-step simulation of the
buck-boost converter with the help of GUI the user will
understand the step-by-step design process. Instead of going
through all these the user can select a direct design option io
which case the package selects the required L and C
depending upon the mode of operation is either CCM or
DCM. The method dealt so far assumes that the supply
1715
voltage is constant, but that is not the case in practice, so the
provision of variable input voltage specification is also made
available to the user. All the user need to do is, select proper
topology, give specifications and analyze the results obtained.
V. CONCLUSIONS
This paper demonstrates the use of MATLAB power
system toolbox and its GUIDE tool to simulate various
topologies of dc-dc converters, ac-dc converters, and reactive
power compensators. The package developed is completeIy
interactive and allows a beginner of power electronics to
understand the hctionalities of these topologies and also the
design aspects in a user-transparent manner. The advanced
user can also view the underlying SIMULINK models and
build it further taking advantage of hierarchical modeling of
SIMULINK. The package is illustrated through examples of
thyristor switched capacitor and buck-boost converter where
the fiont-end graphical interface and underlying simulink
models are explained in detail. Thus this package can prove to
be a good pedagogical tool for students and academicia.
REFERENCES
K. Kit Sum, Switch Mode Power Conversion, Basic Theory and Design,
New York Marcel-Dekker, Inc., 1984.
N.G.Hin$oraai,L.Gyugyi, Unukrstanding FACTS Concepts und
iechnulogy of flaible AC hnsmission sysrem New Delhi: Standard
PublishersDis!ibutors, 2001.
1.R.Smith and G.ICCreighton, “Reactive-current compensation by
switched capacitors”,IEEE Trans. on Industriul electronics and control
ins”nentotion vol. IECI-22, No.1, February 1975, pp. 75-78.
V.Rajagopalan, C o m p r m i d e d Anu!vsis of Puwer ElecfronieSystem.
New York Marcel -Dekker Inc., 1987.
Math Work Inc., M W wers aide, 1997.
Ned M o b q Tore M.Undeland, William P.Robbins. Power Electronics
Convertem, Applications, und design. John witey and Sons, Second
Edition, 1996.