Digitally-controlled PC-interfaced boost converter for educational purposes

This paper describes implementation of a simple digital PID control algorithm for a boost converter using a cheap fixed-point 8-bit microcontroller. Serial communication to a PC server application is established for easier downloading of compensator parameters and current and voltage waveform acquisition. At the end, client application is presented which uses TCP/IP connection for operating the digitally controlled boost converter over Internet. The aim of this cheap and flexible PC-interfaced boost converter bench is predominantly educational, to allow students to synthesize different digital controllers and compare their performance.