PowerFactorCorrectionUsingDCM
PowerFactorCorrectionUsingDCM
net/publication/380577871
Power Factor Correction Using DCM Technique and Soft Feedback Emphasizing
on Boost Converter's Inductance Calculation
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All content following this page was uploaded by Salar Mosharkesh Barenji on 15 May 2024.
Abstract - Boost converters, due to their unique structure, Converter, are widely used. The Bridgeless Rectifier is more
provide the possibility of adjusting the power factor correction efficient at higher power levels, while the Boost Converter is
(PFC). However, improper calculation of hardware parameters such more popular at lower power levels [8]. Figure 2 illustrates the
as inductance and switching frequency, considering the load boost converter structure for power factor correction [9].
connected to the converter's output, can jeopardize the converter's
performance. In other words, the converter's operation may deviate
from the Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM). This paper
focuses on the calculation of inductance to achieve optimal
performance, specifically targeting DCM operation for sinusoidal
unidirectional inputs. In other words, a one-sided smoothing
capacitor is not used in the output, emphasizing the PFC aspect.
Keywords: Power factor correction, Boost converter control, Figure 2 - Boost Converter Structure for Power Factor Correction
SMPS, PFC, DCM, Boost Converter Inductance.
Control techniques used in Boost Converter structures
I. INTRODUCTION generally fall under three categories: Continuous Conduction
Nowadays, the use of boost converters has become Mode (CCM), Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM), and
widespread due to their unique structure, and they can be found Quasi-Continuous Mode (QCM) [23]. In CCM, which is the
in various equipment. This type of converter is an additive DC continuous mode, the inductor current remains above zero
to DC converter [1]. In general, a boost converter has a structure throughout the switching cycle. The inductor current ripple is
like Figure 1 [2]. typically around 20 to 40 percent of the average input current.
In DCM, the inductor current always returns to zero, and
controlling the duration of its zero state allows for effective
conduction control. Hence, this is referred to as the
discontinuous technique. Contrary to CCM, in DCM, the
inductor is discharged to zero and recharged when the transistor
switch is connected. If a significant increase in load power
occurs in DCM, the converter will operate in CCM at an angle
Figure 1 – Boost Converter Structure of 90 degrees (ϲ=90^°). Thus, the average consumer current will
determine the zeroing of the inductor current ripple. QCM, the
On the other hand, boost converters are employed for active quasi-continuous mode, is a hybrid of CCM and DCM. In this
power factor correction. Generally, for power factor correction, mode, the inductor current reaches zero during some parts of the
either active or passive devices can be used [3]. In the passive cycle due to the transistor switch's on-off action, while in other
method, shunt capacitors are used to neutralize the inductive parts, it remains charged.
effect [4]. However, capacitor banks may cause system
resonance and network harmonics amplification [5]. Harmonic Various techniques can be employed to improve the power
power factors are often created by devices with current rectifiers factor using a boost converter. However, for achieving 100%
in their structure [6]. On the other hand, using capacitor banks power factor correction, the "100% Power Factor Correction
for power factor correction has little effect on harmonic loads Using DCM Control Technique with Software Feedback" can
[7]. In the active method, power factor correction is achieved by be utilized. In this technique, the converter will achieve 100%
converting alternating current to direct current and then power factor correction as long as it operates in DCM and
converting direct current back to alternating current. However, suitable hardware is employed [11]. This article focuses on
controlled rectification must be performed initially to prevent calculating the inductance value used in the boost converter to
the generation of reducing power factor harmonics. In the active achieve DCM performance for non-smoothed DC inputs.
method, two structures, Bridgeless Rectifier and Boost
II. CALCULATION OF INDUCTANCE
To calculate the inductance, it is advisable to first examine
the converter's performance for smoothed DC inputs and then
proceed with calculations for non-smoothed unidirectional
inputs.
The boost converter operates in two states:
1- When the transistor switch is off
2- When the transistor switch is on Figure 5 - Using Bypass Diode for Initial Charging of Capacitor
In the state where the transistor is on, the structure of the To investigate the performance of the converter, we need to
converter takes the form shown in Figure 3 [12]. derive the equations governing the converter's behavior during
the on and off times of the transistor. Equations 3 to 21 represent
the relationships governing the converter's performance [15].
III. EXAMINING THE TRANSISTOR SWITCH-ON TIME
In the state where the switch is turned on, the inductor is
charged by the power source.
diL
VL = Vi = L (3)
Figure 3 - Boost Converter in Transistor On State dt
diL Vi
In this state, assuming all converter components are ideal, = (4)
dt L
when the switch is turned on, the voltage across the inductor will
be equal to Vin , representing the inductor charging state. In this The rate of change of inductor current is constant, so the
current during the on-time of the transistor switch increases
condition, with the transistor switch on and the diode switch off,
the load is powered through the charge of the capacitor. linearly. Therefore:
∆iL ∆iL Vi
In this state, the inductor charging current can be calculated = = (5)
∆t DT L
using Equation 1. Vi DT
Vi .dt
(∆iL )closed = (6)
L
I = diL = (1)
L
Thus, the energy stored in the inductor can be expressed by IV. INVESTIGATION OF TRANSISTOR SWITCH-OFF TIME
Equation 2.]13[ During the transistor switch-off time, the inductor current is
1 2 directed to the output through the diode. However, since the
W= LI (2) output voltage is constant, the inductor voltage will be obtained
2
In the second state, with the transistor switch turned off, the accordingly.
circuit will take the form shown in Figure 4.]12[ diL
VL = Vi − VO = L (7)
DT
(Vi − VO ).dt
VL = (8)
L . diL
The maximum and minimum inductor currents are To obtain F, we rearrange the variables in equation 25.
calculated from the relationships of the average inductor current I𝑚
𝐹= 𝐿 (26)
and changes in inductor current. (𝑉𝑜 −𝑉𝑖 )𝑇
When the load power consumption exceeded the nominal Fig. 11. Controller Diagram
state, the converter's operation transitioned from DCM to QCM.
Figure 10 illustrates the input current waveform for the first Figure 11 illustrates the controller diagram. As seen in the
experiment, with the difference that the load impedance was diagram, using Equation 45 and feedback from the output
selected as 500 ohms instead of 1000 ohms, leading to the voltage and the pulse width at the time of measurement, the load
elimination of the DCM converter operation. resistance is estimated. Then, using Equation 46, with the
estimated load resistance value and the desired output voltage or
Vsp, a new pulse width is determined to bring the output voltage
amplitude to the desired level.
VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTROL ALGORITHM
In the initial stage, which is performed only once at startup,
the controller generates an initial pulse width based on nominal
values, in accordance with Equation 14, and applies it to the
converter.
Then, in the second phase, following Equation 45, the
controller estimates the resistance value of the load connected to
the output. This is done by using feedback from the output
Figure 10 - Input Current Waveform for a 500-ohm Load voltage and the pulse width at the time of measurement to
estimate the load resistance.
During the operation, the load value may change over time,
and with a constant frequency and pulse width, the output In the third phase, based on the estimated resistance and the
voltage will also change accordingly. Therefore, one of the best command voltage, the controller adjusts the pulse width.
solutions to maintain a constant output voltage alongside Subsequently, the controller, skipping the first phase,
achieving DCM operation is to utilize software feedback[17]. cyclically performs the second and third phases. Thus, with the
For this purpose, firstly, the load value needs to be identified use of the mentioned control algorithm, in addition to precisely
using software feedback from the output voltage. Then, adjusting the output voltage according to the load resistance, due
adjustments to the pulse width can be made. By substituting to the converter's operation in Discontinuous Conduction Mode
Equation 44 with Equation 45, the possibility of identifying the (DCM), power factor correction will also be observed.
load resistance can be achieved.
However, based on the waveforms obtained from the
simulations, it was noted that the effect of changes in the value
of D becomes apparent after approximately 50 milliseconds.
Therefore, this factor should be considered in hardware design
for better performance. In other words, due to the inherent delay
of the converter, the effect of changes in pulse width becomes
apparent in the output voltage amplitude after about 50
milliseconds. Therefore, the estimation of load resistance and
the application of changes should be performed at intervals of at Fig. 14. Waveform of the Signal Applied to the IGBT Gate
least 50 milliseconds to allow the output voltage to stabilize and
The output voltage of the converter was measured at 389
to ensure more accurate estimation of load resistance.
volts, which is almost equal to the setpoint voltage. The
Figure 12 shows the schematic of the boost converter calculated pulse width and the measured pulse width are also
section, and Figure 13 illustrates the constructed hardware. nearly the same, and any existing difference could be due to
component tolerances and measurement errors.
The practical test results indicate the correct functioning of
the control algorithm in stabilizing the voltage amplitude.
However, the converter's goal is to correct the power factor. In
the subsequent practical test, power factor correction was
examined using a power meter. The test results are shown in
Figure 15, indicating a 100 percent correction of the power
factor. It is noteworthy that the power meter used has an
accuracy of 0.001 for calculating the power factor, clearly
demonstrating the excellent performance of the converter in
correcting the power factor. This correction of the power factor
and stabilization of the output voltage amplitude are achieved
Fig. 12. Schematic of the Constructed Circuit with only one feedback from the output voltage. The practical
test results indicate a 100 percent correction of the power factor.