ECEN 438 – Power Electronics Fall 2024

Lab 7: Buck Converter: Filter Design

Lab 7: Buck Converter: Filter Design
The goal of this lab is to investigate the L-C filter operation in a Buck regulator. In
particular, we analyze the behavior of the L-C filter subjected to the square-wave voltage
generated by a PWM modulated MOSFETs half-bridge. First, we review the function and
the principle of operation of the inductor and of the capacitor in the L-C filter of a buck
regulator, to predict the inductor current ripple and the output voltage ripple. Then, we
simulate a buck regulator comprised of a MOSFET half-bridge, a PWM modulator, an L-
C filter and a load resistor, to verify the consistency of theoretical predictions under
different operating conditions. Finally, we perform lab experiments to measure the
average output voltage, current and voltage ripple, and efficiency of a buck regulator in
open loop operation, and to estimate the parameters of the L-C filter.

Figure 1-1 Buck Regulator with L-C Filter

Learning Objectives
After completing this lab, you should be able to complete the following activities.
1. Given a PWM modulated MOSFET half-bridge, an L-C filter, a source voltage, and a
load resistance, you will calculate the peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current
and output ripple voltage, and the converter efficiency, with specified units and
accuracy, by applying the appropriate theoretical equations.
2. Given a PWM modulated MOSFET half-bridge, an L-C filter, a source voltage, and a
load resistance, you will simulate the L-C filter behavior to verify the consistency of
theoretical predictions, by comparing the simulated and the calculated output voltage
under the same operating conditions.
3. Given a real PWM modulated MOSFET half-bridge, an L-C filter, a source voltage, a
load resistance, and a two channel function generator, you will measure the converter
efficiency and the peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output ripple
voltage, and you will determine the parameters of the inductor and of the capacitor,
with specified units and accuracy.
Required Tools and Technology
Platform: NI ELVIS III ✓ Access Instruments
Instruments used in this lab: https://measurementslive.ni.com/
● Function generator ✓ View User Manual
● Digital multimeter http://www.ni.com/en-
● Oscilloscope us/support/model.ni-elvis-iii.html
● Power Supply ✓ View Tutorials
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Note: The NI ELVIS III Cables and TwvbRUpEpJU&list=PLvcPIuVaUMI
Accessories Kit (purchased separately) Wm8ziaSxv0gwtshBA2dh_M
is required for using the instruments.

Hardware: TI Power Electronics Board ✓ View User Manual

http://www.ni.com/en-
us/support/model.ti-power-
electronics-board-for-ni-elvis-iii.html

Software: NI Multisim Live ✓ Access

https://www.multisim.com/
✓ View Tutorial
https://www.multisim.com/get-started/

Software: TI Power Electronics ✓ Download (Windows OS Only)

Configuration Utility http://download.ni.com/support/acad
cw/PowerElectronics/TIPowerElectr
onicsBoardUtility-Windows.zip

Note: Mac Version will be available

soon
Expected Deliverables

In this lab, you will collect the following deliverables:

✓ Calculations based on equations provided in the Theory and Background Section

✓ Results of circuit simulations performed by NI Multisim Live
✓ Results of experiments performed by means of TI Power Electronics Board for NI
ELVIS III
✓ Observations and comparisons on simulations and experimental results
✓ Questions Answers

Your instructor may expect you to complete a lab report. Refer to your instructor for
specific requirements or templates.
1 Theory and Background

1-1 Introduction
In this section, we review the fundamental concepts relevant to the operation of the L-C
filter in a Buck regulator. The L-C filter is an important functional element of DC-DC
voltage regulators, as it integrates energy transfer and noise filtering features.

1-2 Ideal L-C filter operation in the Buck Regulator.

Figure 1-2 shows a MOSFETs half-bridge controlled by a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)
comparator. The carrier signal Vr, and the control signal Vc determine the status of the
PWM comparator output. During the time Ton we have Vr < Vc and the PWM comparator
output is high. Therefore, the Gate Driver sets gate signals G1 and G2 respectively high
and low, thus Q1 conducts and Q2 is open. During the time Toff we have Vr > Vc and the
PWM comparator output is low. Therefore, the Gate Driver sets gate signals G1 and G2
respectively low and high, thus Q1 is open and Q2 conducts. This results in the square-
wave half-bridge output voltage Vout shown in Figure 1-2. The switching frequency fs =
1/Ts is determined by the period Ts of the triangular signal Vr.

Vout,pp
Vout
Ipk
IL
iL,pp
Ivl Ton Toff

Ts = 1/fs

Figure 1-2. Buck Regulator L-C Filter Operation.

The typical waveforms of output voltage and the inductor current of buck regulator in open
loop DC operation are shown in Figure 1-2. The peak-peak amplitude of the output
voltage AC component Vout,pp, defined as output ripple voltage, is normally very small
compared to the average DC component Vout (typically, Vout,pp is about 1% of Vout), and
the output voltage waveform is almost flat. The average DC component IL of the inductor
current equals the average load current Iout = Vout / Ro, as the DC current of the output
capacitor is zero. The voltage Vsw of the half-bridge is a square wave, switching between
Vin during the MOSFET Q1 on time Ton and zero during the MOSFET Q1 off time Toff (see
Lab5 for more details about half-bridge PWM operation). As a consequence, the inductor
voltage is a square wave too, switching between Vin - Vout and - Vout. The resulting AC
component of the inductor current, defined as inductor ripple current, is the triangular
waveform with peak-peak amplitude iL,pp shown in Figure 1-2. The capacitor bypasses
the inductor ripple iL,pp. Due to the low pass nature of the L-C filter, the DC average value
Vout of the capacitor voltage equals the average value of the half-bridge square-wave
voltage, Vout = Vsw,DC = VinxD, where D is the duty-cycle of the half-bridge, defined as D =
Ton / (Ton + Toff)  Vout/Vin (see Lab5). The resulting theoretical peak-peak amplitudes of
inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage are given by Equations 1-1:
D(Vin − Vout ) Vout (Vin − Vout ) i L,pp
Equations 1-1 i L,pp = = Vout , pp =
fs L Vin fs L 8fsC

where fs is the switching frequency, L is the inductance of the inductor and C is the
capacitance of the capacitor. The peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current iL,pp is
normally comparable to the DC component IL (typically, it is about 50% of IL). Equations
1-1 and 1-2 show that:
a. given the switching frequency fs, the DC input voltage Vin and the DC output
voltage Vin, the peak-peak amplitude of the inductor ripple current iL,pp is bigger if
the inductance L is smaller;
b. given the switching frequency fs and the inductor ripple current iL,pp, the peak-
peak amplitude of the capacitor ripple voltage vout,pp is bigger if the capacitance
C is smaller;
c. given the DC input voltage Vin, the DC output voltage Vin, the inductance L and the
capacitance C, the peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current iL,pp and
capacitor ripple voltage vout,pp is smaller if the switching frequency is higher.
From Equations 1-1 we can derive the values of the inductance L and capacitance C needed
to obtain a desired inductor ripple current iL,pp and capacitor ripple voltage vout,pp, given the
DC input voltage Vin, the DC output voltage Vin and the switching frequency fs:

Vout (Vin − Vout ) iL,pp

Equations 1-2 L= C=
Vin fs iL,pp 8fs Vout ,pp
1-3 Effects of MOSFET, inductor and capacitor resistance.
Real MOSFETs, inductors and capacitors have a parasitic resistance, causing power
losses and influencing the inductor ripple current and capacitor ripple voltage. The ohmic
power losses of MOSFET, inductor and capacitor are given by Equations 1-3:
i Lpp
2
 i Lpp
2

PQ1 = Rds ( on ) DIL  ; PQ 2 = Rds ( on ) (1 − D )IL  ; PL = RL I L  ; PC = RC ;  = 1 + 
Q1 2 Q2 2 2
Equations 1-3
12  12I 2
 L 
Q1 Q2
where Rds ( on ) and Rds ( on ) are the On-State resistances of MOSFETs Q1 and Q2 (see
Lab5), while RL and RC are the inductor and capacitor resistances. The theoretical value
of ripple current iL,pp given by Equations 1-1 can be used in Equations 1-3 to estimate
power losses. The resulting efficiency  of the buck regulator is given by Equation 1-4:
2
Pout Vout
Equations 1-4 = ; Pout = Ploss = PQ1 + PQ 2 + PL + PC
Pout + Ploss Ro

The values of iL,pp and vout,pp including the effects of losses are given by:
Vout (Vin − Vout − (Rds
Q1
( on ) + RL )Iout )
Equation 1-5 iL,pp 
Vin fs L

1-4 Ripple voltage of ceramic and electrolytic capacitors.

Given the inductor ripple current, the output ripple voltage is determined by the
characteristics of the capacitor. Figure 1-3 shows the typical waveforms of ripple voltage
generated by ceramic and electrolytic capacitors, the two types of capacitors majorly used
in switching regulators applications.

Vout,pp Vout,pp Vout,pp Vout,Rc

Vout,Lc

iL,pp iL,pp iL,pp

Figure 1-3. Output Ripple Voltage Waveforms for (a) Ceramic Capacitor, (b) Electrolytic Capacitor, (c) Electrolytic
Capacitor with Effect of Parasitic Inductance.

The ripple voltage of ceramic capacitors is mainly determined by their capacitance (Figure 1-
3(a)). The ripple voltage of electrolytic capacitors is mainly determined by their resistance
(Figure 1-3(b)), and is influenced by their parasitic inductance Lc, which generates an additional
square-wave ripple Vout,Lc (Figure 1-3(c)). The simplified Equations 1-6 can be used to
calculate the amplitude of peak-peak ripple voltage of ceramic and electrolytic capacitors:
  i L,pp  1 
 ceramic capacitors  RC = 
 8fsC  2 fsC 
Equations 1-6 Vout ,pp 
 Lc  1 
Vout ,Rc + Vout ,Lc = Rc i L,pp + L Vin electrolytic capacitors  RC ? 
2 fsC 
 

A more general formula of output ripple voltage can be derived for other types of
capacitors having a resistance RC comparable to the reactance 1/(2fsC).

1-5 MOSFETs switching losses.

The MOSFETs Q1 and Q2 of the half-bridge generate switching losses during their on-off
and off-on commutations, given by Equation 1-7:

 21 (Vin + VF )fs (Ivl tsw ,on + I pk tsw ,off ) Ivl  0  0 Ivl  0

Equations 1-7 PQ1,sw   PQ 2,sw   1
(Vin + VF )fs I pk tsw , off Ivl  0  2 (Vin + VF )fs Ivl tsw ,off Ivl  0
1
 2

where Ivl = IL-iL,pp/2 and Ivl = IL+iL,pp/2, VF is the forward voltage of MOSFETs body diodes,
tsw,on and tsw,off are the times the MOSFET needs to turn on and turn off, respectively,. The
MOSFET tsw,on and tsw,off times depend on MOSFET parasitic capacitances, gate-to-source
voltage threshold Vth, transconductance coefficient  (see Lab1) and gate driver voltage Vdr.
The switching losses PQ1,sw can be added to the losses in Equation 1-5 to obtain a more
accurate estimation of efficiency. The switching losses are important if the MOSFETs tsw,on
and tsw,off switching times are long (this happens in MOSFETs with current ratings in the
range of tens of Ampère, which are characterized by big parasitic capacitances) and if the
switching frequency is high (this happens in buck regulators operating in the range of tens
to hundreds milli Ampère, where the switching frequency can be high in the MHz range).

1-6 Inductor core losses.

Inductors are composed of a copper wire coil wounded around a magnetic core. The copper
coil determines the resistance RL of the inductor, which causes ohmic losses. The magnetic
core also generates power loss, which is modeled by the Steinmetz Equation 1-8:

Equation 1-8 PL,core  K fe fsx i Ly,pp

where the parameters Kfe, x and y depend on the material, shape and size of the magnetic
core. The inductor core loss can influence the converter efficiency for high switching
frequency and high ripple operating conditions.
 Check Your Understanding

Note: The following questions are meant to help you self-assess your understanding so far. You
can view the answer key for all “Check your Understanding” questions at the end of the lab.

1-1 What parameter determines the inductor ripple current in the buck regulator?
A. the capacitance
B. the inductance
C. the average output current

1-2 What parameter determines the output ripple voltage in the buck regulator?
A. the average output voltage
B. the inductance
C. the capacitance

1-3 What is the effect on the inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage in the buck
regulator determined by an increase of the switching frequency?
A. both ripples increase
B. both ripples decrease
C. the inductor ripple current increases and the output capacitor voltage decreases

1-4 What is the effect of a higher inductor resistance on the buck converter efficiency?
A. the efficiency increases
B. the efficiency decreases
C. there is no effect

1-5 Does the resistance of the capacitor influence the amplitude of the inductor ripple current?
A. yes
B. it depends on the average output voltage
C. no

1-6 What parameter does majorly influence the amplitude of output voltage ripple if an
electrolytic capacitor is used?
A. the switching frequency
B. the resistance of the capacitor
C. the load current
2 Exercise
TI’s CSD15380F3 (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/csd15380f3.pdf) MOSFET is used for
Q1 and Q2 in the Discrete Buck Section of the TI Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS
III. The MOSFET has the following nominal parameters: Vth = 1.1V,  = 0.24A/V2,  =
0.02V-1. The MOSFET is also characterized by the following parameters under the
operating conditions determined by the setup of the Discrete Buck Section of the TI
Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS III: Rds(on) = 1.2, tsw,on  0.2ns, tsw,off =0.3ns. The
inductor can be set with the following two options: (a) L=15µH, RL=140m, (b) L=48µH,
RL=400m, and the capacitor can be set with the following two options: (a) C=100µF,
Rc=55m, (b) C=10µF, Rc=5m.

2-1 Assuming Vin= 7V, Vout= 5.0V, fs = 200kHz, and selecting option (b) for the inductor setup
and option (b) for the capacitor setup, use the equations provided in the Theory and
Background section to calculate:
• the average inductor ripple current, in milli Ampère with one decimal digit:
IL = ____________
• the peak-peak amplitude of the ideal inductor ripple current, in milli Ampère with
one decimal digit: iL,pp(ideal) = ____________
• the peak-peak amplitude of the ideal output ripple voltage, in milli Volt with one
decimal digit: vo,pp(ideal) = ____________

2-2 Using the results of ripple calculations from 2-1 and equations provided in the Theory
and Background section, calculate the power loss of MOSFETs Q1 and Q2, inductor and
capacitor, in milli Watt with three decimal digits, and report the results in Table 2-1:

Table 1-1 Power losses of MOSFETs, inductor and capacitor of Buck Regulator in DC Operation.

MOSFET Q1 MOSFET Q1 MOSFET Q2 MOSFET Q2 inductor capacitor

ohmic loss switching loss ohmic loss switching loss ohmic loss ohmic loss
loss [mW]

2-3 Using the results obtained from previous point 2-1, and the equations provided in the
Theory and Background section, calculate the efficiency  = Pout / (Pout+Ploss), with three
decimal digits, the peak-peak inductor ripple current and the average input current Iin =
Pin/Vin = (Pout+Ploss) / Vin, in milli Ampère with one decimal digit:
 = ____________ iL,pp(real) = ____________

Iin = ____________
3 Simulate

The goal of the simulations in this section is to analyze the operation of the L-C filter of a
Buck Regulator under DC open loop conditions. You will verify the consistency of the
perk-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage and of efficiency
calculated in the Exercise Section. You will also observe the inductor current and output
voltage waveforms under different operating conditions.

3-1 Instructions
1. Open Lab6 – Buck Regulator L-C Filter Operation from this file path:
https://www.multisim.com/content/bdUiT8S52XAVbZkFwhgY44/lab
-6-buck-regulator-l-c-filter-operation/. The circuit schematic for
the analysis of the Buck Regulator L-C filter operation is shown in Figure 3-1.

input half-bridge L-C filter

capacitors

gate driver

PWM comparator

Figure 3-1. Multisim Live Circuit Schematic for the Analysis of Buck Regulator L-C Filter.

The L-C filter is configurable by means of switches SL1, SC1 and SC2 as follows:
• SL2 closed: L = L1 = 15µH, RL = RL1 = 140m;
• SL2 open: L = L1+L2 = 48µH, RL = RL1+RL2 = 400m;
• SC1 closed, SC2 open: C = C1 = 10µF, Rc = RC1 = 5m;
• SC2 closed, SC1 open: C = C2 = 100µF, Rc = RC2 = 55m.
 [Notes: 1) the input capacitors Cin1 and Cin2 are normally included in buck
regulators to obtain an input current Iin with a small amplitude ripple; 2) the model
of capacitor C2 includes a parasitic inductance LC2 initially set at 0H].
2. Set SL2 to be OPEN, SC1 to be CLOSED, SC2 to be OPEN and SCin2 to be CLOSED.
3. Select Interactive simulation and Split visualization options.
4. Check the Periodic option box for voltage probe Vout and current probes iL and Iin
in Measurement labels menu.
5. Set the simulation circuit parameters as follows:
• Vin: DC_mag = 7.0V;
• Vr: VA = 1V, Per = 5µs, TF = 2.5µs, Offset 0V;
• Ro: 50;
• Vc: DC_mag = 745mV
6. Run the simulation and wait until it ends.
7. Read the average value VAV displayed by the output voltage probe Vout, in Volt with
four decimal digits, and report the result in Table 3-1.
8. Read the peak-peak value Vpp displayed by the output voltage probe Vout, in milli
Volt with one decimal digit, and report the result in Table 3-1.
9. Read the average value IAV displayed by the inductor current probe iL, in milli
Ampère with one decimal digit, and report the result in Table 3-1.
10. Read the peak-peak value Ipp displayed by the inductor current probe iL, in milli
Ampère with one decimal digit, and report the result in Table 3-1.
11. Read the average value IAV displayed by the input current probe Iin, in milli Ampère
with one decimal digit, and report the result in Table 3-1.
12. Calculate the efficiency  = (VoutIout) / (VinIin), with three decimal digits, and report
the result in Table 3-1.
13. Import in Table 3-1 the values of Vout, Vout,pp, Iout, iL,pp, Iin and  obtained in the
Exercise calculations

Table 3-1 L-C filter operation and converter efficiency with L = 48µH, RL = 400m; C = 10µF, Rc = 5m.

Vout Vout,pp IL = Iout iL,pp Iin 

[V] [mV] [mA] [mA] [mA]
from simulations
from calculations

14. Enter the simulation results from Table 3-1 in the first row of Table 3-2.
15. Re-run the simulation using the switch setups listed in Table 3-2, and report the
resulting values of Vout, Vout,pp, Iout, iL,pp,, Iin and .
Table 3-2 L-C filter operation and converter efficiency under different filter setup.

SL2 SC1 SC2 Vout Vout,pp IL = Iout iL,pp Iin 

 [V] [mV] [mA] [mA] [mA]
(a) open closed open
(b) closed closed open
(c) open open closed
(d) closed open closed

3-1 Do the simulations match the calculations in Table 3-1?

A. yes
B. no
Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3-2 Is the peak-peak amplitude of the output ripple voltage small compared to the
average output voltage?

A. yes
B. no
why? ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3-3 What switch setup determines the smallest peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple
current in Table 3-2?

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
why? ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3-3 What switch setup determines the biggest peak-peak amplitude of output ripple
voltage in Table 3-2?

(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
 (d) 
why? ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Troubleshooting tips:
● If the simulation does not converge and you get some error message, reload
Lab6 – Buck Regulator L-C Filter Operation from this file path
https://www.multisim.com/content/sRY9ZW7saFpr4MKWu2a5A5/lab
-5-buck-regulator-half-bridge-pwm-operation/ and restart the
simulation following the instructions.

4 Implement
The experiments in this section allow you to observe the behavior of the L-C filter of a buck
regulator in steady-state operation. You will measure the peak-peak amplitudes of inductor
ripple current and output ripple voltage, under different conditions. Then, you will use the
measurements to estimate the inductance of the inductor, and the capacitance, the
resistance and the parasitic inductance of capacitors. Finally, you will measure the
efficiency of the buck regulator. The Discrete Buck Section of the TI Power Electronics
Board for NI ELVIS III shown in Figure 4-1 will be used to perform the experiments. [Note:
The max input voltage Vin is 12V]. A 50 resistance Ro can be connected to the output of
the L-C filter by means of the Jumper J16. The TI’s CSD15380F3 half-bridge MOSFETs
are characterized by a typical 1.2 on-state resistance at 4.5V gate-to-source voltage. The
PWM modulator uses a TI’s TLV7011DPWR comparator, and the half-bridge MOSFET
gate driver is a TI’s TPS51601ADRBR. The links to the datasheets are available below:
• CSD15380F3 MOSFET: (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/csd15380f3.pdf)
• TLV7011DPWR COMPARATOR: (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tlv7011.pdf)
• TPS51601ADRBR GATE DRIVER: (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps51601a.pdf).
The L-C filter is configurable by means of jumpers J39 and J12 as follows:
• J39 closed: L = 15µH, RL = 140m;
• J39 open: L = 48µH, RL = 400m;
• J12 shorting TP161-TP159: C = 10µF, Rc = 5m (ceramic capacitor);
• J12 shorting TP161-TP160: C = 100µF, Rc = 55m (electrolytic capacitor).
 TP87 TP82 J39 TP79 J37 J33
J11
TP83 J16

J38 J12

TP76

MOSFETs
J42 J46

TP96
J41
TP86

TP94
J44

J48 J47

Figure 4-1. TI Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS III - Discrete Buck Section Used for the Analysis of Buck
Regulator L-C Filter Operation.

The board uses a current sensing transformer and a resistor (T7 and R87 shown in Figure
4-1) to sense the inductor ripple current. The transformer generates a voltage test point
TP82, that can be measured by means of a voltage probe. As the voltage-to-current
transconductance of the sensing transformer is 0.5, dividing the voltage measured at test
point TP82 by 2 provides the peak-peak amplitude of the inductor ripple current iL,pp.
[Note: the parameters provided in the following instructions for instruments setup may require
some adjustment due to thermal effects and tolerances of TI Power Electronics Board
components]
4-1 General Instructions
1. Open Power Supply, Function Generator, Oscilloscope and Digital Multimeter
using Measurements Live. For help on launching instruments, refer to this help
document: http://www.ni.com/documentation/en/ni-elvis-
iii/latest/getting-started/launching-soft-front-panels/
2. Open the User Manual of TI Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS III from this
file path: http://www.ni.com/en-us/support/model.ti-power-
electronics-board-for-ni-elvis-iii.html
 3. Read the User Manual sections Description, Warnings and Recommendations
regarding Discrete Buck Section.
4. Open the TI Top Board RT Configuration Utility of TI Power Electronics Board for
NI ELVIS III (See Required Tools and Technology section for download
instructions), and select Lab6 – Buck Regulator L-C Filter Operation.
4-2 Experiment 1 Instructions
1. Configure the jumpers of the board as indicated in Table 4-2-1.
2. Connect and configure the instruments as indicated in Tables 4-2-2 and 4-2-3.
Table 4-2-1 Jumpers setup
J11 J12 J16 J33 J37 J38
short TP156-TP153 short TP160-TP161 short TP155-TP157 short 2-3 short 1-2 short
J39 J41 J42 J44 J46 J47 J48
open short short short short 2-3 short open
Table 4-2-2 Instruments Connections

Power Supply connect to red and black banana connectors

connect CH-1 to TP83 (Vin), connect CH-2 to TP86 (Vout)

Oscilloscope connect CH-3 to TP87 (Vsw), connect CH-4 to TP82 (IL)

connect CH-1 to FGEN1 BNC connector (→TP94 = PWM comparator V )

Function Generator connect CH-2 to FGEN2 BNC connector (→TP96 = PWM comparator Vr )
c

connect Voltage input to TP86 (Vout), TP82 (IL) or TP76 (Iin), as per
Digital Multimeter instructions

Table 4-2-3 Recommended Instruments Configuration and setup

Power Supply Channel “+”: Static, 7.00V, Channel “-“: Inactive

Trigger: Analog Edge, Horizontal: Acquisition: Measurements:

CH-3, set to 50% 2us/div average show

Oscilloscope Channel 1: ON Channel 2: ON Channel 3: ON Channel 4: ON

• DC coupling • DC coupling • DC coupling • DC coupling
• 1V/div • 10mV/div • 1V/div • 100mV/div
• offset -4V • offset -5.0V • offset -4V offset 0V

Channel 1: Triangle, Frequency 200kHz, Amplitude 1Vpp, DC offset 0.5V

Function Generator Channel 2: Sine, Frequency 1Hz, Amplitude 0Vpp, DC offset 855mV

Digital Multimeter Measurement mode: DC voltage; Range: Automatic

3. Using the Oscilloscope cursors in Manual Mode:

• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the output ripple voltage vout,pp on CH-2, in
milli Volt with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 4-2-4
[Notes: 1) if the ripple voltage waveform is as shown in Figure 1-3(c), measure
the amplitude of the steep front vout,Lc and the amplitude of the rising ramp
 portion vout,Rc separately; 2) neglect the high-frequency noise, and measure the
peak-peak amplitude of the ripple voltage waveforms as shown in Figure 1-3];
• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the inductor ripple current iL,pp on CH-4, in milli
Ampère with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 4-2-4.
4. Connect Digital Multimeter to TP79, measure the average output current Iout, in milli
Ampère with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 4-2-4;
5. Connect Digital Multimeter to TP76, measure the average input current Iin, in milli
Ampère with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 4-2-4;
6. Calculate the efficiency  = (VoutIout)/(VinIin), with three decimal digits, and report
the result in Table 4-2-4.
7. Calculate the inductance of the inductor L=Vout(Vin-Vout-(Rdson+RL)Iout)/(VinfsiL,pp),
in micro Henry with three decimal digits, and report the result in Table 4-2-4;
8. If the ripple voltage waveform looks like in Figure 1-3(a), calculate the capacitance
of the capacitor C=iL,pp/(8fsvout,pp), in micro Farad with three decimal digits, and
report the result in Table 4-2-4.
9. If the ripple voltage waveform looks like in Figure 1-3(b), calculate the resistance
of the capacitor RC=Vout,pp/iL,pp, in milli Ohm with no decimal digits, and report
the result in Table 4-2-4.
10. If the ripple voltage waveform looks like in Figure 1-3(c), calculate the parasitic
inductance of the capacitor LC=LVout,Lc /Vin, in nano Henry with no decimal digits,
and the resistance of the capacitor RC=Vout,Rc /iL,pp, in milli Ohm with no decimal
digits, where L is the inductance of the inductor from step 7, and report the results
in Table 4-2-4.
11. Stop Power Supply, Function Generator, Digital Multimeter and Oscilloscope.
12. Repeat the steps 3-14 for all the jumpers setups listed in Table 4-2-4.
Table 4-2-4 L-C filter operation and converter efficiency under different filter setup.

iL,pp Vout,pp Vout,Lc Vout,Rc L C Rc Lc

J12 J39 
[mA] [mV] [mV] [mV] [µH] [µF] [m] [nH]
(a) short
open
TP159-TP161
(b) short
closed
TP159-TP161
(c) short open
TP160-TP161
(d) short
closed
TP160-TP161

4-2-1 Are the values of inductance L of the inductor determined from experimental
measurements close to the nominal values?
A. yes
B. no
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-2-2 Is the shape of the output ripple voltage the same for the two capacitors?
A. yes
B. no
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-2-3 Given an inductor setup, what is the capacitor determining the biggest peak-peak
amplitude of the output ripple voltage?
A. the 10µF capacitor
B. the 100µF capacitor
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-2-4 For what capacitor did you observe the shape of the output ripple voltage waveform
showing the effect of parasitic inductance?
 A. the 10µF capacitor
B. the 100µF capacitor
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-2-5 Does the parasitic inductance of the capacitor change with the setup of the main
inductor?
A. yes
B. no
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-3 Experiment 2 Instructions

1. Configure the jumpers of the board as indicated in Table 4-3-1.
Table 4-3-1 Jumpers setup

J11 J12 J16 J33 J37 J38

short short short
short 2-3 short 1-2 short
TP156-TP153 TP159-TP161 TP155-TP157
J39 J41 J42 J44 J46 J47 J48
short short short short short 2-3 short open
2. Connect and configure the instruments as indicated in Tables 4-3-2 and 4-3-3.
Table 4-3-2 Instruments Connections

Power Supply connect to red and black banana connectors

connect CH-1 to TP83 (Vin), connect CH-2 to TP86 (Vout)

Oscilloscope connect CH-3 to TP87 (Vsw), connect CH-4 to TP79 (IL)

connect CH-1 to FGEN1 BNC connector (→TP94 = PWM comparator V )

Function Generator connect CH-2 to FGEN2 BNC connector (→TP96 = PWM comparator Vr )
c

Digital Multimeter connect Voltage input to TP86 (Vout)

Table 4-3-3 Instruments Configuration and setup

Power Supply Channel “+”: Static, 7.00V, Channel “-“: Inactive

 Trigger: Analog Edge, Horizontal: Acquisition: Measurements:
CH-3, set to 50% 2us/div average show

Oscilloscope Channel 1: ON Channel 2: ON Channel 3: ON Channel 4: ON

• DC coupling • DC coupling • DC coupling • DC coupling
• 1V/div • 1V/div • 1V/div • 500mV/div
• offset -4V • offset -4V • offset -4V offset 0V

Channel 1: Triangle, Frequency 200kHz, Amplitude 6.0Vpp, DC offset 3.0V

Function Generator Channel 2: Sine, Frequency 1Hz, Amplitude 0Vpp, DC offset 1.0V

Digital Multimeter Measurement mode: DC voltage; Range: Automatic

3. Set the Function Generator CH-2 DC offset to 1.0V (PWM control voltage Vc).
4. Run Oscilloscope, Digital Multimeter, Function Generator and Power Supply.
5. Read the Digital Multimeter measurement of output voltage Vout, in Volt with three
decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 4-3-4.
6. Repeat step5, setting the Function Generator CH-2 DC offset to the values of the PWM
control voltage Vc listed in Table Table 4-3-4, and report the results in Table 4-3-4.
7. Stop Power Supply, Function Generator, Digital Multimeter and Oscilloscope.
8. Using the equations provided in Theory and Background Section, calculate the
duty-cycle D, with tree decimal digits of accuracy, the theoretical output voltage
Vout, in Volt with three decimal digits of accuracy, for each value of the PWM control
voltage Vc, and report the results in Table 4-3-4.
Table 4-3-4 Output Voltage of Buck Regulator under Different Duty-Cycle Conditions.

Vc [V] 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0
D
Vout [V] (measured)
Vout [V] (calculated)

4-3-1 Are the measurements and calculations trends consistent?

A. yes
B. no
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

4-3-2 Are the measured values of average output voltage greater or lower than the
calculated values?
A. greater
 B. lower
C. other: _____________________________________________________

Please provide your comments: ______________________________________

________________________________________________________________

Troubleshooting tips:
● If the regulator does not work, verify the correct setup and connections of jumpers
and instruments, following the directions provided in Tables 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3, and
restart the experiment.

5 Analyze

5-1 Using the results collected in Table 4-2-4, analyze the values of efficiency versus
peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current, and discuss the correlation among
these values based on Theory and Background equations:
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

5-2 Using the results collected in Table 4-3-4, graph the values of voltage conversion
ratio M = Vout/Vin, as function of the duty-cycle D, comparing measurements and
calculations:

D
Figure 5-1 Voltage Conversion Ratio of Buck Regulator as Function of Duty-Cycle.

5-3 Discuss the differences between calculated and measured data, based on Theory
and Background equations:

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
6 Conclusion
6-1 Summary
Write a summary of what you observed and learned about the buck regulator L-C filter
operation, discussing the impact of the inductor an capacitor parameters on the peak-
peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage, and on the buck
regulator efficiency.

6-2 Expansion Activities

6-2-1. Investigate the influence of switching frequency on L-C filter operation, by means
of TI Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS III of Figure 4-1.
a. Use the same connections and configurations indicated in Tables 4-1 and 4-2.
b. Use the jumpers configuration adopted for test (d) of Table 4-4.
c. Set the Frequency of Function Generator CH-1 at 250kHz.
d. Run Oscilloscope, Function Generator and Power Supply.
e. Using the Oscilloscope cursors in Manual Mode:
• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the inductor ripple current iL,pp on CH-4, in
milli Ampère with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 6-1;
• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the output ripple voltage vout,pp on CH-2, in
milli Volt with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 6-1.
f. Repeat step e. for all the values of the Frequency of Function Generator CH-1
listed in Table 6-1.
g. Stop Power Supply, Function Generator and Oscilloscope.

Table 6-1 Peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage versus the switching frequency

f [kHz] 250 300 350 400 450 500

iL,pp [mA]
vout,pp [mV]

6-1 Analyze the values of peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output
ripple voltage as the switching frequency increases and discuss them based on
Theory and Background equations:
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6-2-2. Investigate the influence of input voltage on L-C filter operation, by means of TI
Power Electronics Board for NI ELVIS III of Figure 4-1.
 a. Use the same connections and configurations indicated in Tables 4-2-1 and 4-2-2.
b. Use the jumpers configuration adopted for test (c) of Table 4-2-4.
c. Set the voltage of Power Supply at 6.0V.
d. Run Oscilloscope, Function Generator and Power Supply.
e. Using the Oscilloscope cursors in Manual Mode:
• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the inductor ripple current iL,pp on CH-4, in
milli Ampère with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 6-2;
• measure the peak-peak amplitude of the output ripple voltage vout,pp on CH-2, in
milli Volt with one decimal digit of accuracy, and report the result in Table 6-2.
f. Repeat step e. for all the values of the Power Supply voltage listed in Table 6-2.
g. Stop Power Supply, Function Generator and Oscilloscope.

Table 6-2 Peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output ripple voltage versus the input voltage

Vin [V] 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5

iL,pp [mA]
vout,pp [mV]

6-2 Analyze the values of peak-peak amplitude of inductor ripple current and output
ripple voltage as the input voltage increases and discuss them based on Theory
and Background equations:
________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

6-2-3. Verify the influence of parasitic inductance on the output ripple voltage waveform
and peak-peak amplitude, using the Multisim Simulation Schematic of Figure 3-1.
a. Follow the simulation instructions provided in Section 3-1.
b. Before running the simulation, set the switches SL2, SC1 and SC2
corresponding to filter configuration (c) or (d) of Table 4-4, and set the value of
the inductance LC2 in series to the capacitor C2 equal to the corresponding
value Lc recorded in Table 4-4.
c. Run the simulation, and measure the peak-peak amplitude or output ripple
voltage using the Grapher cursor on the output voltage trace
d. Compare the result with the corresponding measured value recorded in Table 4-4.
6-3 Resources for learning more
● This book provides the fundamentals of switching regulators:
S. Maniktala, Switching Power Supplies A - Z, Newness