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Introduction To Buck Boost BuckBoost

The document discusses buck, boost, and buck-boost converters. It examines the fundamentals of each type of converter and looks at where they may be used in applications. Buck converters are often used to provide low-voltage on-board power. Boost converters are popular in battery powered devices. Buck-boost converters can supply regulated output from a power source with a voltage either below or above the output voltage.

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21 views

Introduction To Buck Boost BuckBoost

The document discusses buck, boost, and buck-boost converters. It examines the fundamentals of each type of converter and looks at where they may be used in applications. Buck converters are often used to provide low-voltage on-board power. Boost converters are popular in battery powered devices. Buck-boost converters can supply regulated output from a power source with a voltage either below or above the output voltage.

Uploaded by

chintan.gopani
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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An Introduction to Buck, Boost, and

Buck/Boost Converters
Oct 30, 2020

Switch-mode power conversion has been a pillar of modern electronics technology


across many sectors including utility, industrial, commercial, and consumer markets
for many years. In low-power DC/DC conversion applications, most modern power
conversion is done with three different types of power converters – Buck, Boost, and
Buck-Boost Converters. This article examines the fundamentals of each type of
converter and looks at where they may be used in the real world.

What is a Buck Converter?

A buck or step-down converter is a DC/DC switch mode power supply that is intended to
buck (or lower) the input voltage of an unregulated DC supply to a stabilized lower output
voltage. Buck converters are, especially compared to traditional voltage regulators, widely
valued for their extremely high efficiencies which can easily exceed 95%. The below
simplified circuit diagram shows how current flows through the circuit during a switching
event of a buck converter.
Buck converters are often used in lieu of traditional, non-efficient linear regulators to
provide low-voltage on-board power in a variety of applications such as microprocessors,
communication equipment, control systems, and more.

What is a Boost Converter?

A boost converter is a DC/DC switch mode power supply that is intended to boost (or
increase) the input voltage of an unregulated DC supply to a stabilized higher output
voltage. Similar to a buck converter, a boost converter relies on an inductor, diode,
capacitor, and power switch regulate the output voltage, but they are arranged differently.
The below simplified circuit diagram shows how current flows through the circuit during a
switching event of a boost converter.

In a boost converter, the output voltage is varied by the mark-space ratio of the PWM
signal to be equal to or above V in. As power is conserved, a boost converter that supplies
triple the input voltage will be only be able to supply one third the current that it draws
from the supply. However, boost converters are very popular in battery powered devices,
where perhaps a pair of batteries deliver 3V but need to supply a 5V circuit.

What is a Buck-Boost Converter?

A buck-boost boost converter can supply a regulated DC output from a power source
delivering a voltage either below or above the regulated output voltage. A buck-boost
converter circuit combines elements of both a buck converter and a boost converter,
however they are often larger in footprint than either alternative. The below simplified
circuit diagram shows a typical flow of current during a switching event through a buck-
boost converter.

As you may have noticed in the circuit diagram, V out is actually negative with respect to
the supply potential, which can complicate certain designs. Buck-boost converters also
require more expensive components as they need to withstand both high Vin max voltage
and high input current at Vin min, but they are useful in many applications. A very
common use of buck-boost converters are for high power LED lighting where, for
example, lead-acid batteries supply a nominal 9-14V to a constant 12V LED load.

Conclusion

The technology of buck, boost, and buck-boost converters are utilized around the world to
provide regulated low-voltage DC/DC power in nearly every electronics market. RECOM’s
buck, boost, and buck-boost converters are an excellent solution for your low-power
conversion needs.

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