Comparison of open loop and closed loop buck converter

Introduction

A Buck converter is a powerful tool in the world of power electronics, allowing for efficient conversion of high input voltages to low output voltages through the use of controlled pulses. This type of converter is made up of a switch and energy storage elements, such as an inductor and capacitor, which work together to regulate the voltage supplied to the load.

One of the key features of the Buck converter is its ability to act as a voltage regulator, using a transistor switch to control the flow of current to the load. It is widely used in applications that require a steady, reliable output voltage.

There are two main types of Buck converters: open loop and closed loop. Open loop converters rely on the inductor to store energy and supply it to the load when the switch is opened, while closed loop converters use feedback to continuously adjust the output voltage. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages and are used in different applications.

In this blog post, we will be discussing the differences between open loop and closed loop Buck converters, and how they are used in different applications.

Circuit Configuration

The circuit comprises a battery that provides input voltage, a switch for controlling output voltage, two energy storing elements inductor and capacitor for its main circuitry process and a load across which output voltage is measured. It has two states, on and off states. In the on-state, the inductor stores the energy and in the off-state, the capacitor stores and supplies energy where then only a calculated portion of the supply voltage and current is allowed for the load, instead of the relatively bigger peak voltage input source. This is a brief of the process of the buck converter.

Controlling Measures of Buck Converter

In the power electronics domain or even in real life, controlling aspects are one of the most important aspects always. Things need to be controlled for the safe working of our life or even the circuits before, which might cause some other side effects that might not be good. Here, the value of the output is controlled according to our needs or the controlled voltage value we need across the load for its proper working. There are two types of control measures, i.e., open loop-controlled system and closed loop-controlled system. These two controlling measures will be used in the modelling of the DC-DC buck converter, and the best controlling measure will be found for this circuit.

Open loop Controlled DC-DC Buck Converter modelling

What is an Open loop controlling system?

An open loop-controlled system is a control loop system where a group of elements are connected in a sequence to perform a specified function (or task) where the output is controlled without using any feedback and has no influence or effect on the control action of the input signal. There is no chance to correct the transition errors in open loop systems, or there is more chance to occur errors. But still, these controlling systems are widely used in many domains because of the input being free of the output values.

Modelling of Open-loop Buck converter in MATLAB Simulink

Step into the exciting world of Simulink with MATLAB Helper! Discover the basics of this powerful tool through our complimentary course of Simulink Fundamentals. Ready to show off your Simulink skills? Take our Simulink Fundamentals course quiz and earn a certificate of proficiency from MATLAB Helper. Score 60% or higher and book your certificate now!

The open loop model of buck converter should be made under some considerations where it will be a discrete mode of sample time (written in Simulink as 1e-5) which makes the model look the same as a buck converter would work in reality.

Setups before modelling-

Select a new model in Simulink and follow the mentioned below,

• A powergui block is taken from the library browser and select the simulation type discrete and sample time 1e-5.

The theory behind selecting the parameters of components: -

There are numerous buck converters made in power electronics of different ratings. Every Converter has a different combination of values of inductor and capacitor according to the ratings required in a particular circuit. Here in this model, a certain combination of inductor and capacitor is taken for which the voltage output is uniform and has fewer ripples. You can also choose a combination of inductor and capacitor for which the voltage output has fewer ripples and is uniform.

The formula of the Buck converter

The output voltage of the buck converter is the input voltage times the duty cycle.

Duty Cycle (D)

The duty cycle is the ratio of the signal on time to its total time period.

In this model, D is taken 0.6 and the RLC branch where,
   
farad and R = 1 ohm and input voltage Volts

Modelling: -

• Search the following components in the library and select them for the blank model.

• This is the output of an open loop controlled buck converter which, after setting reference voltage, doesn't give voltage perfectly 50, and in the power electronics domain, even a minor fluctuation of voltage is very sensitive to the circuits.
• Let's check out if the closed-loop Converter gives any different results.

Closed loop Controlled DC-DC Buck Converter modelling

In the closed loop converter, the IGBT switch is controlled by the pulses generated from the feedback of the output, which is compared with the input and the error or difference is compensated by controllers called PID (Proportional Integral Derivative). Usually, PID is used for very complex circuits; in this model, we will use PI (Proportional Integral) to get a good output.

What is PID Controller?

PID controller is a controller used in a closed loop feedback system where it takes feedback from the output and compares it with the input, and then compensates or aims to reduce the difference to zero through its proportional, integral and derivative algorithms. Let's see the three terms' characteristics.

Modelling of Closed loop Buck converter in MATLAB Simulink

The theory behind selecting the parameters of components: -

To tune a model through PI, we need to get the transfer function of the model to be tuned. The transfer function of the buck converter is,

After putting the values of L, C and R same as taken in the open loop model, the transfer function looks something like this,

Modelling: -

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Buck converter is a widely used DC-DC step-down converter in power electronics, that efficiently converts high input voltages to low output voltages through the use of controlled pulses. The open-loop and closed-loop Buck converters are the two main types of Buck converters, where open-loop converters rely on the inductor to store energy and supply it to the load when the switch is opened and closed-loop converters use feedback to continuously adjust the output voltage.

When comparing the output of the open loop buck converter and closed-loop converter, it is clear that the closed-loop converter gives a better output with precise results due to its feedback system. The closed-loop converter is more accurate and reliable, which makes it an ideal choice for applications that require a steady output voltage.