Field-Programmable Gate Array Control of DC-DC Switching Regulators: Design and Implementation of Controllers

We investigate the design, implementation, and verification of closed-loop DC-DC switching regulators controlled by using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). These converters are designed to stabilize output voltage and guarantee desired reference voltage profiles in expanded operating envelopes. For systems where supplied energy, voltage, and loads vary, practical control laws must be designed and implemented to meet requirements. These regulators are used in many aerial, automotive, communication, electronic and electromechanical systems. We investigate an FPGA based management system to control power modules and interconnected components. This implies solving problems such as sensing and filtering, components aggregation, interfacing, etc. The system requirements imply design and implementation of minimal complexity control laws for high-performance switching converters. FPGAs enable adaptive control, filtering and estimation to guarantee optimal performance, robustness, and interoperability for a broad range of applications. Our findings are experimentally validated.