2. Project Bring Up Plan - JoshSilver8/ENGR454_Buck_Converter GitHub Wiki

Build Up PCB – Due Date 4/24/2021

  1. Verify schematic correctness

  2. Inspect PCB

  3. Choose components

  4. Mount SMD component (diode)

  5. Mount THT components (everything else)

    • Use female pin connector in place of the output capacitor C3 (see note)

  6. Inspect Solder connections

  7. Check for continuity

  8. Check for VCC-GND shorts

  9. Take photos of mechanism and PCB*

Do not solder on output capacitor C3 directly to PCB. Attach a female pin connector to make it easy to place and remove the output capacitor.

Test hardware – Due Date 4/28/2021

  1. Set duty-cycle by powering gate on Q2 using a signal generator
  2. Test voltage on Vin, TP2, TP5, TP7, TP8 while adjusting duty cycle up to 100% with and without capacitor
    • Record results
    • If voltages exceed expected results search for problems in circuitry
    • If voltages are expected then move on
  3. Verify Arduino is running properly a. Plugged into USB, not connected to PCB
  4. Ensure Arduino will be powered either through Vin or through USB not both
  5. Plugin Arduino for testing
  6. Repeat Step 3 using Arduino, use Arduino-plotter to aid in testing a. Record Results

LTspice simulation & Characterization of Inductor – Due Date 4/30/2021

The inductor in the buck converter is used to store energy while the switch is ON and transfer that stored energy wen the switch is OFF. This website provides notes on inductor calculations of buck converters. These hand calculated values can be compared to simulated responses of the inductor in LTspice. Help with simulating an inductor in LTspice can be found at the All About Circuits website.

  1. Develop Inductor characterization through LTspice
  2. Analyze inductor current characteristics in buck converter circuit through hand calculations
  3. Analyze inductor current characteristics in buck converter circuit through LTspice simulations

Models for Discontinuous Conduction Mode – Due Date 5/4/2021

Discontinuous conduction mode occurs when the inductor current falls to zero. We need to create models when the buck converter is acting in this mode.

  1. Research DCM for project
  2. Simulate DCM using LTspice
  3. Create necessary models for DCM (state-space models?)
  4. Create test code to implement DCM model
  5. Record Results

Apply State Feedback, "hand placing poles" – Due Date 5/7/2021

  1. Research hand placing poles
  2. Create block diagrams to describe buck converter as transfer functions
  3. Add Feedback by adding poles
    • Place poles to increase stability and noise attenuation
  4. Simulate feedback model in MATLAB/Python/Octave
  5. Implement feedback in Arduino code.
  6. Record Results

Place Poles using LQR – Due Date 5/12/2021

  1. Research placing poles using LQR
  2. Complete necessary processes to use LQR
  3. Add Feedback using LQR
    • Place poles to increase stability and noise attenuation
  4. Simulate feedback model in MATLAB/Python/Octave
  5. Implement feedback in Arduino code.
  6. Record Results

Full Order Observer – Due Date 5/17/2021

  1. Research full order observer implementation
  2. Determine Ke
  3. Complete necessary processes to use Full Order Observer
  4. Add Feedback using full order observer method
    • Place poles to increase stability and noise attenuation
  5. Simulate feedback model in MATLAB/Python/Octave
  6. Implement feedback in Arduino code.
  7. Record Results

Full order and reduced order buck converter example: http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~tymerski/ece451/Cuk_Control.pdf

MATLAB code illustrating a full order and reduced order observer: https://matlabexamples.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/design-of-full-order-and-reduced-order-observer/

Lecture on learning full order observer: file:///Users/Jordyn/Downloads/351_27435_EE412_2019_1__2_1_0%206%20EE412%20Lec6%20Full%20order%20state%20observer_design.pdf

Reduced Order Observer – Due Date 5/21/2021

  1. Research reduced order observer implementation
  2. Complete necessary processes to use reduced order observer method
  3. Add Feedback using reduced order observer
    • Place poles to increase stability and noise attenuation
  4. Simulate feedback model in MATLAB/Python/Octave
  5. Implement feedback in Arduino code.
  6. Record Results

Kalman Full Order Observer – Due Date 5/26/2021

  1. Research Kalman full order observer implementation
  2. Complete necessary processes to use reduced Kalman full observer method
  3. Add Feedback using Kalman full order observer
  • Place poles to increase stability and noise attenuation
  1. Simulate feedback model in MATLAB/Python/Octave
  2. Implement feedback in Arduino code.
  3. Record Results

MATLAB code example of Kalman filter: https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/453779-how-to-design-a-full-order-observer-in-matlab

Final Documentation – Due Date 6/2/2021

  1. Abstract
  2. Project Description and Theory
  3. Compile all test data together
    • Hand placed poles feedback
    • LQR placed poles
    • Full Order Observer
    • Reduced order Observer
    • Kalman Full Order Observer
  4. Analysis of data
  5. Problems and Issues
  6. Conclusion
  7. Appendix
    • Code
    • Full Schematics
    • Hand Calculations If necessary

*Indicates Deliverable