Comparative analysis of two digital control algorithms for a DC-DC converter

This paper describes the impact of two different control algorithms on the behavior of a DC-DC step down converter. The compared algorithms are average current mode control and voltage mode control. Both feature advantages and disadvantages, with the former being more difficult to implement but yielding better dynamic parameters and the latter being easier to implement and more cost effective, but compromising on performance. A complete design of the converter is presented, including the design of the power stage, the feedback loop and other particular blocks such as the the quantizer. Experimental and simulation results will be included to prove the validity of the theoretical considerations. The resulting design supplied a vaporizer used in a spectrometric instrumentation analyzer.