TECC3791 Power Electronics

Test 2: MEMO
(30 March 2023)

Question 1: [20 Marks]

A converter is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Question 1
Assuming the diodes and the current source to be ideal, answer the following questions:
1.1. Identify and name the type of rectifier shown. [1]
1.2. Sketch the voltages 𝑉𝑑 (𝑡) and 𝑉𝐿 (𝑡) and the current 𝑖𝑠 (𝑡) as a function of time. [9]
1.3. Calculate the angle of commutation, 𝑢, the average value of the output voltage, 𝑉𝑑
and the output power, 𝑃𝑑 . [9]
1.4. Explain the function of the diode, 𝐷2 . [1]
Solution:
1.1. Half Wave Uncontrolled Rectifier [1]
1.2. The waveforms are shown below. [3] for each correct waveform.

𝜔𝐿𝑠 𝐼𝑑
1.3. Commutation interval: cos 𝑢 = 1 − = 0.951 ↔ 𝑢 = cos−1 (0.951) = 17.97° [3]
√2𝑉𝑠
𝜔𝐿 𝐼
Average output voltage: 𝑉𝑑 = 0.45𝑉𝑠 − 2𝜋𝑠 𝑑 = 101 V [3]
Output Power: 𝑃𝑑 = 𝑉𝑑 𝐼𝑑 = 101 × 10 = 1010 W [3]
1.4. Freewheeling diode [1]
Question 2: [10 Marks]
A dc-dc converter shown in Figure 2: Question 2 has the input voltage of 𝑉𝑑 = 48 𝑉. The output
filter inductance is 𝐿 = 0.1 mH and it has an equivalent series resistance of 0.2 Ω. The rated output
voltage of the converter is 20 V and the output current is 25 A.
Assume constant output voltage (no ripple) and a switching frequency of 50 kHz.

Figure 2: Question 2
Answer the following questions:
2.1. Identify the converter topology shown [2]
2.2. Calculate the rated output power and the equivalent resistance Rload. [4]
2.3. Calculate the duty ratio D for the rated output taking into consideration the voltage
across the series resistor R. 4]
Solution:
2.1. Buck Converter [2]
2.2. Rated output power and the equivalent resistance
𝑃𝑜 = 𝑉𝑜 𝐼𝑜 = 20 × 25 = 500𝑊 [2]
𝑉0 20
𝑅𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = = 25 = 0.8Ω [2]
𝐼𝑜
2.3. In an ideal buck converter (R=0) and 𝑉0 = 𝐷𝑉𝑑 . With the nonzero R, 𝑉0 + 𝐼𝑜 𝑅 = 𝐷𝑉𝑑 [2]
𝑉0 +𝐼𝑜 𝑅 20+(25)(0.2)
∴𝐷= = = 0.521 [2]
𝑉𝑑 48

2
Question 3: [20 Marks]
A dc-dc boost converter is required for a solar PV battery charging system.
Answer the following questions:
3.1. Sketch the boost converter diagram with proper labels. [6]
3.2. With the help of inductor voltage and switch operations, derive the transfer function
of the boost converter. [8]
3.3. State three (3) applications where boost converters are used. [3]
3.4. What are the three advantages of boost converts? [3]
Solution:
3.1. Boost Converter circuit diagram

3.2. A boost converter steps up the input voltage to a higher output voltage. The switch s is
controlled by the switching function of frequency fs and duty cycle. The switching function
takes on a value of 1 or zero.
At time 𝑡 = 0 the switching signal is applied the transistor. The transistor is turned on and
the diode becomes revere biased and off. The diode voltage is equal the output voltage. The
inductor voltage is equal to the input voltage 𝑉𝑖𝑛 and the inductor current increases linearly
from its initial value to its peak value at 𝑡 = 𝐷𝑇𝑠 . At 𝑡 = 𝐷𝑇𝑠 the switching signal goes to
zero. The transistor is turned off. The diode is forward biased and on. The inductor voltage
is 𝑣𝐿 = 𝑉𝑜 – 𝑉𝑖𝑛 . The inductor current is decreasing linearly from its peak value at 𝑡 =
𝐷𝑇𝑠 to its minimum value at 𝑡 = 𝑇𝑠 .
Since the average inductor voltage is zero, the input voltage is equal to the average diode
voltage. Thus the expression for the output voltage is found by finding the average diode
voltage and then solving for the output voltage can be found finding the average diode
voltage and solving as follows.
1 T V
Input voltage Vin  VA   Vo dt  o T  DT 
T DT T
1
Output voltage Vo  Vin
1 D
3.3. Photovoltaic (PV) systems: Boost converters are commonly used in PV systems to step up
the DC voltage output of solar panels to a level that can be used by household appliances
and other devices. This is necessary because the output voltage of solar panels can vary
depending on factors such as temperature and sunlight intensity.

3
 Electric vehicles (EVs): Boost converters are used in EVs to increase the voltage of the
battery pack to a level that is suitable for the motor controller. This helps to increase the
efficiency of the motor and improve the performance of the vehicle.
LED lighting: Boost converters are also used in LED lighting systems to increase the
voltage of the power source to a level that is suitable for driving the LEDs. This can help to
improve the efficiency and lifespan of the LEDs, as well as reduce the amount of heat
generated by the lighting system.
Audio amplifiers: Boost converters can also be used in audio amplifiers to increase the
voltage of the power source, which can improve the performance and output of the amplifier.
Battery chargers: Boost converters can be used in battery charging circuits to step up the
voltage of the charging source to a level that is suitable for charging the battery. This can
help to improve the charging efficiency and reduce the charging time.
Wireless power transfer: Boost converters are used in wireless power transfer systems to
increase the voltage of the power source to a level that is suitable for transmitting power
wirelessly to a receiver.

3.4. Here are three advantages of boost converters:

Increased output voltage: The primary advantage of a boost converter is that it can
increase the output voltage of a DC power source.
High efficiency: Boost converters are known for their high efficiency, which means they
waste less power as heat during the conversion process.
Simple circuitry: Boost converters typically have a relatively simple circuit design,
which makes them easy to implement and troubleshoot.
Voltage regulation: Boost converters can provide stable and regulated output voltage,
even when the input voltage fluctuates.
Flexibility: Boost converters can be used in conjunction with other types of DC-DC
converters to provide a range of voltage conversion options. For example, boost
converters can be combined with buck converters to provide a step-up/step-down
conversion capability, allowing for even more flexibility in power supply design.
Compact size: Boost converters can be designed to be small and lightweight, making
them ideal for portable electronic devices and other applications where space is at a
premium.

Total [50]