PSFB DC-DC LCLC Resonant Converter Voltage and Current Modes Control Using Arduino-Mega

In this paper, the voltage and current modes control of phase shift full bridge (PSFB) DC-DC LCLC resonant converter implemented using Arduino-Mega board which will be intended to be employed as power supplies in arc welding GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) or GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) processes respectively, is presented. Firstly, the programmable phase shifting and dead time mechanisms are explained and fulfilled by suitable configuration of Timer/Counter units available on ATmega2560 microcontrollers-based Arduino-Mega board. Then, based on the reduced order averaged model (ROAM) of the converter, the PID controllers are designed. After, for experimentation and validation, the hardware in the loop (HIL) simulation using dSpace 1103 board in which the Arduino-Mega plays the role of the external hardware is tackled. Finally, the HIL simulation results confirm the effectiveness of ROAM based PID controller design which show fairly good performances despite the load variation and DC supply voltage disturbances on the one hand, and on the other hand they justify the exploitation of Arduino-Mega board which belongs to open-source hardware and software products in arc welding power supplies (AWPS) control.