A Configurable DC-DC Step-Down Converter for Practical Education

An electronic board supporting the study of the step-down dc-dc converter is presented. The main devices of the circuit topology are removable, which allows the study of the circuit behavior with different values of them. Moreover, the connection of the output capacitor can be configured, giving rise to three different operating modes and allowing the measurement of the current through the inductor or through the load. In addition, it also allows testing the converter response against step-type disturbances, both in the input voltage and in the load. The presented board provides an interface to facilitate the connection with a prototyping board, in which a continuous time regulator can be assembly, such a TL494, or a microcontroller, in case of implementing a discrete time regulator. Finally, a teaching guide of laboratory practices, combining simulation and instrumental tasks, is presented for the study of the converter in both, open and closed-loop.