A Tutorial and Review Discussion of Modulation, Control and Tuning of High-Performance DC-DC Converters Based on Small-Signal and Large-Signal Approaches

Many commercial controller implementations for dc-dc converters are based on pulse-width modulation (PWM) and small-signal analysis. Increasing switching frequencies, linked in part to wide bandgap devices, provide the opportunity to increase operating bandwidth and enhance performance. Fast processors and digital signal processing offer new computational techniques for power converter control. Conventional control techniques rarely make full use of operating capability. The objectives of this paper are to present an overview and link to literature on conventional modulation and control techniques for hard-switched dc-dc converters, identify performance limits associated with conventional small-signal-based design, discuss geometric control approaches, and compare strategies for control tuning. The discussion shows how current mode controls have alternative state feedback implementations, and describes unusual opportunities for large-signal control tuning. Considerations for minimum response time are described. Comparisons among tuning methods illustrate how geometric controls can achieve order of magnitude dynamic performance increases. The paper is intended as a baseline tutorial reference for future work on power converter control.