Quantization and Sampling Effects in Fast Digitally Controlled Switch-Mode DC/DC Buck Converters

Software-defined control of DC/DC switch mode power converters features unequaled flexibility compared to analog control. For fast switching converters as recently used for low power applications, digital control may cause steady-state oscillations known as limit cycles. This effect based on a quantized duty cycle is compared to other aberrations such as output ripple voltage, which is inherent to any pulse-width modulator. A distinction is made between DC and AC errors. The latter are divided into synchronous and asynchronous output voltage disturbances. Synchronous AC errors are composed of the switching frequency and its harmonics.