Introduction to Buck Converter

Buck converter is one of the Switched mode power supply (SMPS) which outputs a lower
voltage than a given input voltage. Due to this special characteristic it is also known as step-
down converter, current step-up converter, chopper, direct converter.

Solution to Automobiles by using Buck Converters

Li-Polymer rechargeable batteries are commonly used as power supplies in mobile phone
chargers. But these devices have a minor drawback when it comes to mobility, where the user
will not always have main power to recharge the batteries which are powering the system. Our
project is about a power supply for a Li-Polymer battery charger for an automobile which is
using a 12 input in car cigarette lighter socket.

This solution is suitable for a Li-Polymer battery having a capacity of 700 mAh to 900 mAh,
discharged voltage of 3.6 V, and a maximum charged voltage of 4.9 V.

Design Architecture for 12v-4.9v Buck converter

Li – Polymer
Battery
Design Specifications

Topology: Buck converter

Input Voltage: 12VDC

Output Voltage: 4.9VDC

Output Voltage ripple: 50mV

Total current 600mA

Switching frequency 200kHz

In this project we are going to come up with a solution for the main drawback of the Li-Polymer
rechargeable batteries by using Buck converter as the power supply unit.

This application will be very useful when traveling in remote areas where charging a battery will
be difficult or impossible. By using a Buck converter we can reduce the power dissipated as
heat and produce the best environment for the battery charging.
Design Procedure for Buck regulator

First calculate Duty ratio to obtain required output voltage.Average ouput voltage is given by;

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑛
= =𝐷
𝑉𝑖𝑛 𝑇

where; T= total period = 1 𝑓 , 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 , 𝐷 = 𝐷𝑢𝑡𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜

4.9
In our SMPS design, 𝐷= = 0.4083
12

Next, we have to select a particular switching frequency, preferably > 20 kHz for negligible
acoustic noise. Higher fs results in smaller L, but higher device losses. In our case we select
𝑓𝑠 = 200𝑘𝐻𝑧. Possible devices for provide a signal at this frequency range : MOSFET, IGBT
and BJT. Low power MOSFET can reach MHz range.

Average, Maximum and Minimum inductor current

Average inductor current = Average current in RL

 Il= Ir =Vo/R

Maximum current:

∆𝑖 𝐿 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 1 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 1−𝐷 𝑇

𝐼𝑙,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝑙 + = +
2 𝑅 2 𝐿

1 (1 − 𝐷)
= 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 +
𝑅 2𝐿𝑓
Minimum current:

∆𝑖𝐿 1 (1 − 𝐷)
𝐼𝑙,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝑙 − = 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 −
2 𝑅 2𝐿𝑓

1 (1−𝐷)
For continuous operation, 𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 ≥0, 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 − ≥0
𝑅 2𝐿𝑓

1−𝐷 .𝑅
𝐿 ≥ 𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 =
2𝑓

1−0.4083 .8.16667
for our design calculated inductor value , 𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = 12.080𝜇𝐻 ,This is
2∗200∗103
the minimum inductor current to ensure continuous mode of operation, Normally L is chosen to
be about 10 times minimum value. Hence, 𝐿𝑡𝑦𝑝 = 120.80𝜇𝐻. from starndard Inductor
value we select inductor values as , 𝐿𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 = 120𝜇𝐻.

Output Voltage Ripple

From figure ,capacitor C is charging during the period that 𝐼𝐿 > 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 , thus increase in charge on
𝐶∆𝑄. When 𝐼𝐿 < 𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 , C is discharging ,thus;

1 ∆𝐼 𝑇 𝑇∗∆𝐼 ∆𝑄 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 ∗ 𝑇 2
∆𝑄 = ∗ ∗ = , thus ∆𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 = = (1 − 𝐷)
2 2 2 8 𝐶 8𝐿𝐶

Or finally,

𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑇 2
𝐶= ∗ ∗ 1−𝐷
∆𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 8𝐿
For our design calculated value of Capacitor value

1
4.9 (200∗10 3 )2
= ∗ ∗ 1 − 0.4083 = 1.5𝜇𝐻
50∗10 −3 8∗120.80∗10 −6
However , in most practical circuits, the output ripple voltage is more likely to be caused by the
ripple current through the capacitor ESR value, this value is given by,

∆𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 50
𝑅𝐸𝑆𝑅 = = = 0.4167Ω
∆𝐼𝑜𝑢𝑡 120
Capacitor ratings:

 Must withstand peak ouput voltage

 Must carry required RMS current.RMS
value for 𝐼𝐿 is given by;

For our case calculated rms value is 0.60099

Considering these factors we selected our simulation value as 10 times calculated value.,
𝐶𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 = 15𝜇𝐻

Other factors
 In here either P-Channel or a N-Channel MOSFET can be used. For our case we selected
IRF034 as our PWM driver.
 It’s obviously that we have to select schotky diode as diode D, because of the low losses.
We select 120NQ045Schotky diode. From datasheet we have found this diode can
tolerate 12v perfectly.
Circuit Diagram

Simulation results
 The simulation results have been confirming our calculations,
 Following simulation graphs depict the state between 690us to 700us

Pulse
Inductor Ripple Current
Load Ripple Current

Load Voltage Ripple

Comparison

Quantity Calculated Simulated

Output voltage 4.9 v 4.8864 V
Voltage Ripple 50 mV 48.8 mV
Output Current 600 mA 598.355 mA
Current Ripple 120 mA 122.003 mA