Efficient and Robust Controller Design Automation for Power Converters

The global penetration of power electronics (PE) has increased significantly, creating a pressing need for efficient and cost-effective design automation tool for PE controllers. However, the conventional controller design approach remains largely a trial-and-error process, making it challenging to meet the current design requirements. This paper presents a new design method based on model-free control (MFC) technique, enabling the identification of optimal control parameters efficiently while considering manufacturing aspects such as component tolerances and variation. The proposed method also offers superior dynamics and robustness performance compared to conventional control methods. A case study of a 25-W buck converter, accounting for circuit parameter variations, demonstrates that the proposed controller design method significantly reduces the design run time by two orders of magnitude compared to the conventional design method, while achieving faster dynamics and greater robustness than the PI controller. We anticipate that this new approach will substantially reduce the time and cost for future PE controller design, facilitating the mass and quick uptake of PE.