VPEC Switch Model Derivation

by Brad Suppanz

Expand your browser to full-width for best results. 

The VPEC Switch Model is an averaged model for the switching element in a power converter.  It is similar to the BELLO switch model, but with and additional term of Ic*D*D'*Re.  The focus of this write-up will be to see where this Ic*D*D'*Re term comes from.  In the buck converter example, the Re is the ESR of the input capacitor.  If the ESR is very small, this term is negligible.

The figure below is a buck converter to be used in the derivation.

In the box is the switch element.  It represents the two switches found in any Pulse Width Modulated power supply topology.  The three terminals on the switch element are termed "a", "p", and "c" for "active", "passive", and "common".  The "active" switch (BJT or FET) is connected between the "a" and "c" terminals, and the "passive" switch (diode) is connected between "p" and "c".

For our varables, capital letters like "Vcp" are used to represent average values.  A function of time is shown using small letters like "vcp(t)".  The subscripts and node names are shown using small letters.

"D" represents the duty cycle of the "active" switch while " D' " (D-prime) is the duty cycle of the "passive" switch.  The basic duty cycle equations are as follows:

Below are the waveforms.  Very large values are assumed for all of the L's and C's to simplify the waveforms.

 
ia(t) switches between Ic and zero.  It has an average value of D*Ic.


The current of C1 (called Cin in schematic) is just the AC component of ia(t).  We subtract off the average value (D*Ic) to get the AC.  Then, the peak value of ic1(t) is Ic*D'.  This is a key step!  This is where the D' comes from.


Next, we find the drop from the ESR.  vap(t) drops from it's average value by an amount of Ic*D'*Re when the "active" switch is ON.


vcp(t) = vap(t) when the "active" switch is ON, and is zero otherwise.  Therefore, to find the average Vcp, we apply a factor of D to the peak value of this pulse.  With VPEC's model, the resulting relationships between the average voltages and currents are: For BELLO's model (which ignores Re) we have:



Return to SMPS Notes Index

© Copyright 1997 Brad Suppanz. All rights reserved.
Links to this page are encouraged.
Email comments and suggestions to:

Written 8/28/97
Last updated 7/20/04 
Number of hits: Counter