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1s IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics. Intelligent Control and Energy Systems (ICPEICES-2016)
Controller Design for a Quasi Z Source DC-DC
Converter for Solar Application
Aditya Narula and Kowsalya M.2
1,2SELECT, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
E-mail: ladinarula201O@gmail.com.2mkowsalya@vit.ac.in
Abstract-The increasing demand of renewable energy
is increasing everybody's interest towards the converter to be
used in the system. This paper proposes a converter along
with its closed loop control that can be used along with the
renewable sources like photovoltaic modules. The proposed
converter has the capability to provide boost or buck action
in single action. Different modes of the converter are
discussed and a closed loop controller for the converter is
proposed. The closed loop controller proposed for the
converter is based on the use of log ic combinations. The
simulation results of the closed loop system are realized using
PSIM software.
Keywords-Quasi-Z-Source; Controller Design;
Software
I. INTRODUCTION
In recent times the power consumption all over the
globe has risen exponentially. One consequence of this is
increase in the usage of already limited fossil fuel
resources available to us. The resources are reducing day
by day and the pollution as a threat is ever increasing. One
solution for the above concern can be generating power
through renewable energy sources. These sources are
reliable, sustainable and abundantly available to us .Most
importantly are environment friendly.
Presently the renewable sources that can be efficiently
extracted are solar, wind and fuel cell. Among these sources
wind energy has a major drawback of complex control
technique and difficult synchronization of the equipments.
Fuel cells on the other hand have very high efficiency but
the negative inrush current is a major concern in designing
of any converter. Among all the renewable energy sources
available to us solar energy is the most efficient way for
extracting energy. Unlike the above two, the integration of a
photovoltaic module in a system is easy. The whole system
as a result is easy to synchronize and more reliable. Also
there are no concerns of any inrush current in the system. A
photovoltaic module generates unregulated dc supply
ranging from 20 Volts to 40 Volts; this supply cannot be
provided to any system directly. To use the energy generated
through solar module we require an interface to change this
unregulated power to regulated power. This interface is a
high frequency power converter.
The choice of power converter to be used in the system
is of great significance. A power converter determines the
reliability of the system, the efficiency of the system and
most importantly the power converter determines the cost of
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l
the system. Power converter used for photovoltaic
applications must perform two functions. Firstly; it should
be able to regulate the dc voltage taken from the
photovoltaic module and secondly it should step up the
voltage achieved from photovoltaic module. These functions
can be achieved by various configurations, either using an
auxiliary boost converter in a cascaded connection of
converters or by using an isolation transformer. The
configuration using cascaded connection of the converters
would result in an increase in the number of switches in the
system. Hence, the complexity and losses of the system
PSIM increase. The control technique required for these system
also become complex. On the other hand, if we use a
configuration using isolation transformer as the device to
step up the voltage, then the turns ratio required for the
isolation transformer is significantly large. This results in
increase in the size of the converter.
A quasi z-source converter as first proposed in [1] can
be used to replace a cascaded connection of converters or
a converter with isolation transformer. This converter has
the capability to perform boost action and inversion action
in single stage. Thus reducing the number of switches
required in the system, hence improving the efficiency and
reliability of the system. This configuration also reduces
the complexity of the system; as a result the control
technique required for the system is simple. Due to the
presence of an LC coupled network at the input side of the
converter, it is protected from the risk of accidental short
circuiting of the supply voltage. Continuous input current
three phase quasi z-source converter was suggested in [2],
but the authors did not suggest a control technique for the
system. This paper aims to present a control technique for
the three phase quasi z-source converter.
II. PROPOSED CONFIGURATION
QUASIZSOURCE
NETmRK
ILCCOUPLING
NETmRKI
Fig. I: Block Diagram of Proposed Configuration
[1]
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1s IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics. Intelligent Control and Energy Systems (ICPEICES-2016)

Figure 1 presents the block diagram for the proposed and shoot through mode are responsible for the single
configuration. stage boost action of the converter.
A photovoltaic module provides unregulated dc input
voltage for the system. We use a three phase inverter A. Active Mode
operating in 1800 mode. The inverter used is a high The active mode for the quasi z-source converter is
frequency and high duty ratio inverter. The inverter is represented in Fig 3.
coupled to the input supply using a LC network. LC 102
network along with the inverter performs the initial step +-----------

c, ------
r------, I 1
+
up operation and the inversion action. The output of the
I
inverter is a quasi ac signal and is applied to a high •

frequency step up transformer. This further boosts the

voltage to the desired level. The transformer secondary
output is further passed through a voltage doubler rectifier
connection. The voltage doubler converts the quasi ac
signal to dc signal and doubles the voltage level. This dc
voltage can then used as required. The converter
configuration is as represented in Fig. 2.
QUASI Z _SOURCE NET\I\IORK WITH HIGH FREQUENCY
THREE PHASE INVERTER

Fig. 3: Active Mode

_f,m�:ff' l;��-r'+ -t-+:- i

Active state corresponds to the operation of the quasi
z-source inverter as a conventional voltage source
inverter. The gating pulse pattern followed is that of 1800
t---
� t---
- � -1 � mode inverter. Therefore, the output of the inverter is
: L __________ J
!... ___________________________________
same as that of a conventional voltage source inverter. The
output voltage of the LC coupled network is given by sum
of the capacitor voltages as represented by (6).
Fig. 2: Quasi z-source Converter
VLC = VCl + VC2 (6)
Quasi z-source The output voltage across the phase AB during active
Quasi z-source converter was developed as an mode is given by (7)
improvement of a conventional z-source converter as
suggested in [1] and [3]. Quasi z-source configuration (7)
reduces the voltage rating and voltage stress applied on
one of the two input capacitors. The voltage across the two B. Shoot Through Mode
capacitors in z-source configuration is as depicted by (1) In shoot through mode the quasi z-source inverter
and (2). conducts all its six switches together. Shoot through mode
I-DS
1-2Ds �N
VCl = -- (1) is responsible for the boost action performed by the quasi
I-Ds z-source converter. In this mode energy is stored in the
1-2Ds �N
VC2= -- (2) inductors and capacitors. This energy is later released
Whereas, the voltage stress across the input capacitors during the active mode, thus stepping up the voltage level.
in a quasi z-source network is presented by (3) and (4). The shoot through mode for a quasi z-source network is
I-Ds depicted in Fig. 4.
VCl = 1-2Ds �N (3)
Ds le2

1-2Ds �N
VC2= -- (4)
... ----------
In the above equations DS represents shoot through
t
duty cycle. It can be observed that voltage stress on the I
I
second capacitor for a quasi z-source configuration is I
I
I
reduced. Secondly, in quasi z-source configuration we get I
111 ....
-------- -I�· rI T, T, T, :
continuous input current, unlike discontinuous input t
I I I
current in z-source configuration. The current through V,N +: IC1 : B
c VAS = 0

inductors L1 and L2 for quasi z-source converter are : VLe A

represented by (5). T, T, T2
p
iL1=iL2=- (5)
VIN
A three phase quasi z-source converter operates in
two modes. These modes are active mode and shoot
through mode as described in [4] and [9]. The active mode Fig. 4: Shoot through Mode

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In this mode all the switches of all the three phase At the instance where the input voltage from the
conduct simultaneously. Thus, we have short circuit at the photovoltaic module is within the desired voltage level,
three phases of the inverter. In this mode the output then the converter operates as voltage source inverter. At
voltage of the LC coupled network and inverter phase AB this instance we get output voltage across the inverter
is zero as represented by (8). phase AB. The voltage at this instance is the sum of the
VAB VLC
=
0 =
(8) input capacitor voltages. This can be observed in Fig. Sc.

C. Gating Sequence III. PROPOSED CONTROLLER

The most important aspect of the LC coupled network The closed loop control for the three phase quasi z­
is the gating sequence for the inverter as described in [6] source configuration is proposed in this paper. The control
and [8]. As the input voltage from a photovoltaic module logic focuses on producing the pulses for shoot through
is unregulated, there is a tendency that the input voltage mode. These shoot through mode pulses are combined
varies with time. If the input voltage is less than or greater with the gating pulses of a1800 mode voltage source
than the desired voltage level then the converter should inverter using logic gates. The proposed logic is as
work in shoot through mode. Thus in shoot through mode represented in Fig. 6.
it can perform boost action or buck action as required. The control logic uses two comparators and a nwnber
During this instance all the six switches of the converter OR gates. The shoot through mode pulses are generated
should be turned on. If the input voltage is within the by comparing the unregulated dc supply with the desired
desired limit then the converter should work in active voltage level, when the input voltage is below the desired
mode that is the converter works as a conventional voltage voltage level VINL, comparator 1 is saturated and gives
source inverter. Thus the gating sequence required at this output as high. Whereas, if the unregulated input voltage
instance is that of a conventional 1800 mode inverter. The is more than the desired voltage level that is VINH then
gating sequence for the two modes along with the the comparator 2 is saturated and gives high output. The
corresponding phase voltages are represented in Fig. S. outputs of both comparators are combined together using
The unregulated dc voltage is represented using a OR logic gate. This thus gives us the desired shoot
triangular signal. When the unregulated input voltage is through state pulses. If the input voltage is within the
not within the desired voltage level, then the converter desired voltage levels, then both the comparators are off
operates in shoot through mode. Here all the six switches and as a result the total signal is low. Thus no shoot
are turned on and as a result the voltage across the phase through mode is required.
AB is zero as represented in Fig. Sc. V'Nl

M
V,N

,., 1-----+--"'--'--lf--7--

T,
G,

G�,L-----,�t=f)-- T,

-L-
---
G3 rt�t=f)------ T3

VINL

T,

v" I-'-
----''---'-...l.---,--,--y--L-..L..I..._ T,

,0,
Fig. 6: Proposed Controller Design
v" h-
---,,---...l...--'--,--y---y-.-
The shoot through mode pulses as generated from the
comparator logic are combined with the conventional
v" I- 1800 mode pulses using OR gates. The three gating
----,-,--.--,--'---L..-'---I.--
signals G1, G2 and G3 as depicted in Fig 6 represent the
gating pulses for a 1800 mode voltage source inverter. The
Fig. 5: Gating Sequence and Phase Voltages
signals G1, G2 and G3 are displaced from each other by a

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1s IEEE International Conference on Power Electronics. Intelligent Control and Energy Systems (ICPEICES-2016)

phase angle of 600 and 1200 respectively. The shoot Figure 8 represents the simulated model of the quasi
through pulses along with the 1800 mode inverter pulses z-source converter.
gives us the required gating pulses for our converter. The
gating pulses sequence required are as depicted in Fig. 7.

Fig. 8: Simulated Model of Converter

The proposed controller circuit is depicted in Fig 9.
--

--

. -{]
-

Fig. 7: Gating Sequence Fig. 9: Simulated Model of the Controller

When the input voltage exceeds the maximum voltage
level or is below the minimum voltage required then the
system is operating in shoot through mode. As observed
from the gating pattern, during this time period all the six
switches are conducting. As a result the output voltage of
the inverter at this instance of time is zero.
When the input voltage is between the desired limits
then the gating sequence resembles that of 1800 mode
inverter. During this phase three switches are conducting
at an instance. One switch from each phase leg based on
Fig. 10: Gating Sequence from the Controller
the sequence conducts at this instance. The inverter gives
an output voltage across its phases. The gating pulses achieved from the controller are
represented in Fig lO. It can be observed that the gating
IV. MODELLING AND SIMULATION sequence pattern achieved from the controller resembles
The design and simulation for the converter and the the gating sequence shown in Fig 7. It can be observed
controller is achieved using PSIM software. The designing that all the six switches are conducting during shoot
of the converter is described in [5] and [7]. For simulation a through state, while three switches following the 1800
DC input voltage source is considered in place of a inverter pattern conduct during active mode.
photovoltaic module. The converter system parameters The voltage stress across capacitor Cl and capacitor C2
considered for the simulation are as described in TABLE I. of the LC coupled network are as represented in Fig 11.

TABLE I: DESIGN PARAMETERS FOR QUASI Z SOURCE CONVERTER

Parameter Value
Desired Power Rating 200 Watts
Minimum Input Voltage (VINL) 20 Volts
Maximum Input Voltage (VINH) 40 Volts
Voltage Across LC network (VLe) 40 Volts
Transformer Turns Ratio (k) 1:3.75
LI-L2 50 uH
CI-C2 220/.lF
C3-C4 10 /.lF
Switching Frequency (is) 10 kHz
Desired Output Voltage (VOUT) 300 Volts
Fig. II: Voltage Across Input Capacitor C, and C,

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It can be seen that the voltage across capacitor Cl is

30 Volts while the voltage across capacitor C2 is lO Volts.
The current through inductor LJ and inductor L2 is
represented in Fig 12.
�L.l)
�.
., ..
, .
� L-______________________________________�
.",

Fig. 15: Secondary Voltage of Transformer

The output voltage and current of the complete
0.45 0.4502 0.4504 0."" 0.4508 0.<451
TIme (51 configuration is presented in Fig 16.

:t,---
Fig. 12: Current Across Input Inductors Lt and L,
It can be observed that we get continuous current
across inductors Ll and L2. The average current across
inductor Ll and L2 is S.920 Amperes. __ •
As suggested by (5) the voltage across the LC
"

�t I
coupled network is the summation of the voltages across
the two input capacitors. The voltage across the LC
coupled network is 40 Volts as represented by Fig 13.
VP15 oL---------------------------------------�o.•
TImt(s]

eo

Fig. 16: Output Voltage and Current at 450 ohms

The output voltage of the system settles at 2S0.34
Volts while the output current of the system is 0.622
20

Amperes. At this instant the load applied at the system is a

450 ohm resistor. The efficiency of the converter at this
instance is calculated to be 97.74%.
Tlme(s) The controller is validated by changing the load and
0.45 0.4501 0.4502 0.4503 0.4504 0.4505

observing the change in current and voltage. The load

Fig. 13: Voltage Across LC Network applied across the system is changed to 900 ohm resistor
The isolation transformer in the system has turns and the output voltage and current are as shown in Fig 17.

:�'---- I
ration of 1:3.75. Thus the primary voltage of the
transformer, which is 40 Volts in amplitude, is stepped up

�
to 150 Volts. The primary and secondary voltage of the
transformer is depicted in Fig 14 and Fig 15. __
"

. ,,,
"'"
�f o
\.-
.---
....... ,
-I ..

.�
Fig. 17: Output Voltage and Current at 900 ohms
It can be observed that on changing the load across
the system, the output current of the system is halved to
0.45 G.45Q2 DASIW 0.501 0..501 0.451 0.312 Amperes while the output voltage still remains
-.J
constant at 2S1.11 Volts. The average input current at this
Fig. 14: Primary Voltage of Transformer rating is 4.616 Amperes as represented in Fig IS.

[5]

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"'I
Fig. 18: Current Across Input Inductors LI and L2 at 900 ohms
Therefore, the efficiency of the system at this power
rating is observed to be 95%.
V. CONCLUSION
This paper presents the design of a control strategy
for a quasi z source converter. The operating modes of the
converter, controller design and the simulated results
verifying the controller are presented in the paper. It can
be observed that controller provides the required control
for the converter and gives the required gating sequence
for the inverter.
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[I] J.Anderson, F.Z.Peng, "Four Quasi-Z-Source Inverters" in Proc.
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[6]
Authorized licensed use limited to: VIT University. Downloaded on March 30,2022 at 05:06:31 UTC from IEEE Xplore. Restrictions apply.
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[5] Y.Li, J.Anderson, F.z.Peng and D.Liu, "Quasi-Z-Source Inverter
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[6] Yuan Li, Jorge G. Cintron-Rivera and Fang Zheng Peng "Modeling
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[8] Baoming Ge, Haitham Abu-Rub, Fang Zheng Peng, Qin Lei,
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