Boost Converter Course

Lesson 1 • DC-DC Converter Topology Overview

Surveys buck, boost, and buck-boost topologies to place the boost converter in context. Students distinguish step-up from step-down conversion needs.

Lesson 2 • Energy Storage Components

Analyses inductor and capacitor behaviour under switching conditions. Connects component characteristics to converter performance metrics.

Lesson 3 • Basic Electrical Concepts Review

Covers voltage, current, power, and energy relationships essential for converter analysis. Establishes the mathematical language used throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Circuit Topology and Key Components

Identifies every component in the boost converter schematic and its functional role. Provides the structural foundation for waveform and equation derivation.

Lesson 2 • Switch-On Interval Analysis

Traces current flow when the switch is closed and derives inductor current rise equations. Links energy storage in the inductor to duty cycle duration.

Lesson 3 • Voltage Conversion Ratio

Derives the ideal M = 1/(1-D) relationship using volt-second balance. Students calculate output voltage for any given input and duty cycle.

Lesson 4 • Waveform Sketching and Interpretation

Develops the ability to draw and read inductor current, diode current, and output voltage waveforms. Reinforces understanding of switching intervals visually.

Lesson 1 • Continuous Conduction Mode Defined

Defines CCM as operation where inductor current never reaches zero. Derives steady-state equations and ripple expressions valid in CCM.

Lesson 2 • Discontinuous Conduction Mode Defined

Defines DCM as operation where inductor current returns to zero each cycle. Derives the modified voltage conversion ratio applicable in DCM.

Lesson 3 • Performance Differences Between Modes

Compares efficiency, regulation, and transient behaviour in CCM vs. DCM. Guides mode selection based on application load profile.

Lesson 1 • Rectifier Diode Selection

Specifies diode reverse voltage, average current, and recovery characteristics. Compares Schottky and ultrafast diodes for boost applications.

Lesson 2 • Power Switch Selection

Specifies MOSFET voltage, current, and on-resistance requirements for the boost switch. Calculates conduction and switching losses to verify thermal feasibility.

Lesson 3 • Output Capacitor Design and Selection

Calculates capacitance from output voltage ripple requirement and selects a suitable capacitor. Addresses ESR contribution to ripple voltage.

Lesson 4 • Inductor Design and Selection

Derives inductor value from ripple current specification and selects a physical inductor. Addresses core saturation, winding resistance, and current rating.

Lesson 1 • Conduction Loss Analysis

Calculates RMS currents through each component and derives conduction losses. Identifies which components dominate total conduction loss.

Lesson 2 • Efficiency Calculation and Optimisation

Combines all loss terms to compute overall efficiency vs. load current. Identifies dominant losses and applies targeted optimisation strategies.

Lesson 3 • Core and Gate Drive Losses

Estimates inductor core loss using Steinmetz parameters and gate drive power consumption. Completes the full loss budget for the converter.

Lesson 4 • Thermal Resistance and Heatsink Sizing

Applies the thermal resistance network to calculate junction temperatures. Selects heatsinks and thermal interface materials to meet temperature limits.

Lesson 1 • Stability Verification and Testing

Uses frequency response analysis and step-load transient tests to confirm stable operation. Connects simulation results to bench measurement techniques.

Lesson 2 • Feedback Loop Architecture

Describes voltage-mode and current-mode control architectures for the boost converter. Compares their small-signal properties and practical trade-offs.

Lesson 3 • Compensator Design Techniques

Designs Type II and Type III compensators to achieve target crossover frequency and phase margin. Applies Bode plot analysis to verify loop stability.

Lesson 4 • Boost Converter Transfer Functions

Derives control-to-output and audio susceptibility transfer functions in CCM. Identifies the right-half-plane zero and its impact on control bandwidth.

Lesson 1 • Steady-State Simulation and Verification

Runs transient simulations to extract steady-state waveforms and verify design equations. Compares simulated duty cycle, ripple, and efficiency to hand calculations.

Lesson 2 • Control Loop Simulation

Simulates the closed-loop converter to verify compensator performance and stability margins. Performs AC analysis to extract loop gain Bode plots.

Lesson 3 • Simulation Tool Setup and Modelling

Configures a SPICE-based simulation environment with accurate component models. Establishes simulation best practices for power electronics circuits.

Lesson 4 • Design Iteration and Optimisation

Uses parametric sweeps to optimise component values for efficiency and regulation. Demonstrates a structured design iteration process.

Lesson 1 • Soft-Switching Boost Topologies

Introduces zero-voltage and zero-current switching techniques to reduce switching losses. Compares soft-switching boost variants to hard-switching baseline.

Lesson 2 • Application Case Studies

Analyses real-world boost converter designs in EV charging, solar MPPT, and LED drivers. Reinforces topology and control selection through application context.

Lesson 3 • High-Voltage and High-Power Boost Designs

Addresses component stress management in converters operating above 400 V or above 1 kW. Introduces cascaded and series-switch techniques.

Lesson 4 • Interleaved Boost Converter

Analyses parallel-phase interleaving to reduce input and output ripple. Derives ripple cancellation conditions and efficiency benefits.