Comparison of Fly-back with Buck-Boost

Converter for Solar Applications

Kishore Kumar Pedapenki1* and Supriya Kurmana2†
1* Electricaland Electronics Engineering, Jain Deemed to be University,
Kanakpura Road, Bangalore, 562112, Karnataka, India.
2 Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Vignan Institute of Information

Technology, Kurmanna Palem, Visakhapatnam, 530064, Andhra

Pradesh, India.

*Corresponding author(s). E-mail(s): [email protected];

Contributing authors: [email protected];
† These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract
DC-DC converters are widely used as midrange converters to improve the desired
power quality and lesser the harmonics at an optimum cost by producing AC cur-
rent slightly behind the supply from the DC converter and rectifier respectively.
In recent years, flyback converters have gained popularity due to their features
such as being the best and simplest form of step-down-boost topology. This arti-
cle explains the difference between FLY-BACK and BUCK-BOOST converters in
various aspects such as output voltage, output current, and total harmonic dis-
tortion (THD). A mathematical model was developed based on the parameters
given in this article and verified by MATLAB/Simulink software.

Keywords: Solar Energy, buck-boost converter, fly-back converters, power factor

1 Introduction
In recent years, energy conversion technology has been in the research and devel-
opment stage. Many types of topologies are designed and used for different power
conversion applications[1]. These power transformers are used for power measurement,
performance, etc. from small scale (few watts) to large scale (kilowatts). Available in
different models for different applications. In order for electricity to be transmitted

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from one part to another (or from input to output)[2], we must follow the formula
of converting energy into electricity (object state change). Among the most com-
mon power conversion systems [3], the most popular power converters are Choppers,
Inverters, AC Voltage Controllers, and Rectifiers. As the world progresses, the need
for energy for different applications increases the demand for renewable energy[4].
Although some disadvantages such as the use of transformers cause more weight, the
advantages of this converter overcome these disadvantages[5]. In different topologies,
using the same transformer as inductor and transformer action would be small and
expensive[6]. These converters can also be used as a power factor corrector [21-27].

2 Buck-Boost Converter Topology

The switch-mode power supply that overly gives the operation of the buck con-
verter and the boost converter which means bucking operation and boosting operation
combinedly is called a BUCK-BOOST converter. This converter is also like other
switch-mode power supplies it provides a regulated output supply of DC quantity from
AC or DC input. Basically, this converter is of DC-DC type with an output voltage
of either more or less than the input voltage. The bucking and boosting operations
depend on the duty cycle given [6].

Fig. 1 A Schematic diagram of BUCK-BOOST converter

In-circuit operation state as shown in Fig 1, the input voltage source, and the
inductor (L) are directly connected. This will lead to an emerging inductor which
means energy stored in the inductor. During this period [5] the load is fed by a capac-
itor Under the off condition of the circuit, the inductor is connected to the capacitor
and load, during this period the capacitor and resistor are fed by an inductor.
Merits and Demerits of Buck-Boost Converter The buck-boost converter has
a high output voltage so it is used in battery charging applications. These converters
are operating at low duty cycles so these converters have a wide range of applications
in self-regulated power supplies and switch-mode power supplies. Since the MOSFETs
are operating at low voltage ratings, these converters are used in switching control
applications. The buck-boost converter has the capability of stepping up and stepping

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down the voltage by adjusting the duty ratio. Since the components used are less the
cost of construction is low [11].
In a buck-boost converter, the charging current of the output capacitor is discon-
tinuous in type so the size of the filter is large[12]. This will increase the weight of the
converter. Because the input is discontinuous, the EMI is more in its output and this
may lead to lower efficiency at higher levels of gain applications. The controlling of
this circuit is difficult, because of bucking and boosting operation [15].

3 Flyback Converter Topology

The flyback converter is an isolated DC-DC converter and has a simple structure as
the inductor is absent in the circuit. The magnetizing transformer itself acts as an
inductive component. This converter [18] works well with DC power converters from a
few watts to 150 watts. Here, all the work is done by semiconductor devices as shown
in Fig. 2. The transformer used in this circuit for isolation. Safety is important in
electrical installations.

Fig. 2 Flyback Converter with an N1:N2 turns ratio and positive output.

Merits and Demerits of flyback power converter:

Flyback power electronics converters are isolated converters and are operated effi-
ciently at low power ratings (of ¡ 250W). Since the voltage gain of the converter is very
much high these converters have a wide range of applications in CRTs and flashlights,
etc, These converters have their own isolation property these converters are used in
isolated drivers[10].
More amount of electromagnetic interferences are caused due to the more air gap
in the transformer. A high ripple current is present in the response because of the
discontinuous nature of the input and this will result in a ripple current. Due to this
ripple in nature[20], both input and output offer the same amount of capacitance and

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losses are high with a bit lesser stability this is due to some of the poles laying on the
right half side of the S-plane[19].

3.1 Conventional Fly Back power electronic converter

The conventional flyback converter construction is shown in Fig 2. In this converter,
the high-frequency transformer is used for electrical isolation between the input and
output circuit and also to maintain the voltage transfer ratio between two sections
(input and output). The input side of the circuit consists of a solid-state switch (MOS-
FET) with a gate driver and the output circuit consists of Diode D[1][3]. The polarities
of the windings should be such that, the output voltage must be positive. To maintain
the output stable the capacitor is placed in the output section. At first, the solid-state
switch (MOSFET) is turned on and during this time the transformer primary (mag-
netizing inductance) gets charged, at this time the diode in the secondary is reverse
biased and offers no current in output. During this stage, the capacitor discharges
through load R., during this same time the solid-state switch (MOSFET) is switched
off and diode D becomes forward bias the energy is stored in the magnetizing induc-
tance and discharged through capacitor and resistor R, thus this circuit gives the
continuous supply even the input is discontinuous[8],[9].

3.2 Analysis
When the switch is ON mode in Fig 3, the input voltage charges the transformer
primary and at the same instant the inductor also charges and the diode D becomes
reverse biased, so there is no current in the secondary circuit.

Fig. 3 Connection diagram of the conventional fly-back converter with isolation feature.

The KVL and KCL equations of the above circuit [1] are

4
 Vs = VL (1)

v0
ic = − (2)
R

is = im (3)
At the instant of switch Q closed then the Diode D becomes forward biased. The
energy during this stage [7] is stored in magnetizing inductance And the KVL & KCL
equations are
N1
VL = − V0 (4)
N2
v0
ic = i − (5)
R

ig = 0 (6)
From volt-sec balance equation (1) &(4), we get

vs D
V0 = ( ) (7)
n 1−D

Where the n=N1/N2 is the value of the HF transformer ratio. From capacitor
charge balance equations (2) &(4), we get

v0 1
i0 = ( ) (8)
R 1−D

Magnetizing inductance Lm of HF transformer which is given below

(1 − D)2 Rn2
Lm = (9)
2f
Control Circuit

Fig. 4 The control circuit of the closed loop

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 Table 1 Buck-Boost Converter parameters

S.No. Parameter Symbol Values

1. Input side Voltage Vs 50V
2. Inductor Lm 2.2117mH
3. Capacitor C 0.0812mF
4. Resistor R 10Ω
5. Switching Frequency fsw 10KHz
Output Voltage
-24.88 V
6. Buck: Vref =25 Vo
Boost: Vref=100V -99.53V

Closed loop control is used to achieve a constant DC output voltage as shown in Fig
4. The Duty cycle and switching frequency determine the output voltage. [18] In the
closed-loop process, the output voltage is compared with the set voltage, and the error
rate is reduced by controlling the pulse switch. The output voltage is controlled [13]
with the help of switching devices and the Vois stabilized by obtaining the feedback.
Closed-loop control is also known as “Feedback loop”. The disadvantages are costlier
& complex, the feedback system leads to oscillatory response and reduces the overall
gain of the system. These systems [15] are designed to automatically maintain the
desired output condition by comparing reference conditions.
An integrator in measurement and control applications is an element whose output
signal is the time integral of its input voltage. An integrator [14] is equal to four times
of switching frequency. It can eliminate [16] the steady-state error and it can reduce
the error to zero. An integrator controller is also known as a reset controller[17].

4 Simulation Results
The simulations were carried out for both Buck-boost and flyback converters. They
have been analyzed with open-loop and closed-loop controls. The converter configura-
tions are shown in Fig 5. In open-loop control, the pulse generator is used to produce
the pulses with proper magnitude and frequency. In a closed loop, the operation will
be automatic, the output of the converter is the deciding parameter for the opera-
tion. In each case, the input and output voltages and currents were taken. They were
compared for open loop and closed loop.
The values for various parameters were calculated for the simulation study based on
the modeling shown in the earlier chapter. The corresponding values for the parameters
of the Buck-Boost converter were tabulated in Table 1. The corresponding values for
the parameters of the flyback converter were tabulated in Table 2. The parameters are
Input side voltage, Inductor, Capacitor, Resistor, Switching Frequency, and Output
Voltage for buck operation with 25V as the reference voltage and for boost operation
with 100V as the reference voltage.
The simulation study was carried out with these types for Buck-Boost and Flyback
topologies
• Buck-Boost Converter with open loop
• Buck-Boost Converter with closed loop
• Flyback converter with open loop

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 Table 2 Fly-back converter parameters

S.No Parameters Symbol Values

1. Input Voltage Vs 50 v
2. Transformer turns ratio n 1/2
3. Switching frequency fsw 15KHz
4. Magnetizing Inductance Lm 0.0213mH
5. Output Capacitor C 6.666 µF
6. Load Resistance R 64Ω
7. Output Voltage Vo 370 V
8. Output Current io 5.78 A

• Flyback converter with closed loop

The same diagrams were shown in Fig 6. with the Buck-Boost converter in red
color fonts and with the Flyback converter in green color.

Fig. 5 Open loop control of Buck-Boost Converter Configurations

The corresponding simulation results are shown in Fig 6. The Buck-Boost converter
diagrams were on the left-hand side and that of the Flyback converter was on the

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right-hand side. The results were for open loop and closed loop. In each case, the input
and output voltage and currents were taken in the diagrams.

Fig. 6 Simulation of Input and Output Currents and voltages for open and closed loops of Buckboost
and flyback converters

The comparison of open-loop control of both the converters was shown in Fig 7
and that of closed-loop control was shown in Fig 8.
The final result based on the simulation result and their analysis and the
comparison of Buck-Boost and Flyback converter is shown in Table. 3.
There is no isolation for the Buck-Boost Converter. But, in the Flyback converter,
there is an isolation transformer. Harmonics are high for Buck-Boost Converter but for

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Fig. 7 Comparison of both the converters for open loop control

Fig. 8 Comparison of both the converters for closed-loop control

Flyback the Harmonics are low. Buck-Boost Converter can’t support multiple outputs,
but, the flyback converter can support multiple outputs by adding more windings to
the transformer. The Buck-Boost Converter has low power handling capacity and that
of Flyback is High when compared to the buck-boost converter. The input voltage
polarity is opposite to the output voltage for the Buck-Boost Converter, Both input
and output have the same polarity for the Flyback Converter. The boundary between
the continuous current mode and the discontinuous current mode was decided by the
value of the inductor in the Buck-Boost Converter and that of Flyback is by the
magnetizing of Inductance.

5 Conclusion
The operations of the Buck-Boost and flyback converters are briefly discussed. Har-
monics are low in fly-back converters compared to buck-boost converters. A flyback

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Table 3 Difference between buck-boost and fly-back converter

S.No. Buck-Boost Converter Fly-back Converter

1. There is no isolation Isolation is there
2. Harmonics are high Harmonics are low
Can support more outputs by adding more
3. It can’t support multiple outputs
windings to the transformer
High power handling capacity
4. Low power handling capacity
compared to the buck-boost converter
The transformer is used for input
5. There is no transformer
and the output is in isolation
The input voltage polarity is opposite
6. Both input and output have the same polarity
to the output voltage
Between the CCM &DCM the value of
Between the CCM &DCMthe values
7. the magnetizing inductance that determines
of the inductor determines the boundary
the boundary
By changing the duty cycle the output The output voltage can be changed by
8.
voltage can be adjusted[9] using the duty cycle and transformer turns ratio[9]

converter can support multiple outputs by adding more windings to the transformer
but in Buck-Boost converter doesn’t support multiple outputs. In buck-boost and fly-
back converters output voltage polarities are opposite. The power handling capacity
of a flyback topology is high, but that of a buck-boost topology is low. In this paper,
buck-boost and flyback converter is analyzed and mathematical modeling is done and
tested with simulation MATLAB/SIMULINK.

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