MPPT Boost Converter Research and Design

Status

In progress

Contributors

@Aleena Khatum @Erika Feller @Isaac Neideffer

Approver

[Not Completed]

Due date

--

On this page

Previous Design

OldBoostConverter.png
Figure 1: Old boost converter design (Jacob Pustilnik, Matthew Yu)

Standard boost converter layout, swapping diode for GANFET on node from inductor to battery, which is a pretty standard edit.

 

Timeline

Decision 1: Boost vs Zeta vs Resonance

 

Option 1: Boost

Option 2: Zeta

Option 3: Resonance

 

Option 1: Boost

Option 2: Zeta

Option 3: Resonance

Overview

Design already implemented, and tested so kinks are worked out. Only capable of boosting, and has a generally lower efficiency than other two options.

Capable of boosting or bucking, very standard circuit layout that wouldn’t take too much messing around to make work. Generally higher efficiency and smaller passive components than boost converter.

Can implement ZVS or “soft switching” which is intended to reduce or eliminate switching losses. Probably most efficient design, but only has this efficiency at relatively small input voltage ranges in basic designs. There are slightly more complex versions that can handle large ranges of voltage inputs and maintain efficiency. Dr. Hanson has a really good paper over this which pretty much tells you how to design one of these.

Visual

OldBoostConverter.png

 

 

 

 

 

Pros and Cons

Simple Design

Already made and tested so no changes needed other than flyback concerns

Least efficient option

Engineering Diary

Check out Dr. Hanson's paper on a ZVS resonance converter design he made:

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7749103

Good video that explains Zeta Converters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klcNgH715pk

Video that explains Boost Converter: