International Journal of Innovative

Computing, Information and Control ICIC International ⃝2018

c ISSN 1349-4198
Volume 14, Number 6, December 2018 pp. 2203–2219

MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER

FOR A BIDIRECTIONAL CONVERTER WITH HIGH VOLTAGE
CONVERSION RATIO

Pi-Yun Chen, Kuei-Hsiang Chao and Hong-Jhih Chen

Department of Electrical Engineering
National Chin-Yi University of Technology
No. 57, Sec. 2, Zhongshan Rd., Taiping Dist., Taichung 41170, Taiwan
{ chenby; chaokh }@ncut.edu.tw; free 0207@hotmail.com
Received January 2018; revised July 2018

Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to perform the quantitative design of high voltage
conversion ratio bidirectional converter controller applied in photovoltaic power gener-
ation system. In order to keep the voltage dynamic response of load step change with
the features of zero steady-state error, no overshoot, small voltage-drop and fast restore
time, we perform the quantitative design of a controller by the given performance specifi-
cation. First, we use the step response estimation method at the selected operation point
to estimate the dynamic model of the converter. Then, we follow the given load regula-
tion performance to make the quantitative design of controller’s parameters, enable the
converter’s output DC link voltage be controlled at the planned dynamic and steady-state
response performance with stable energy supply. Finally, we use the measured results to
verify the performance of the designed controller.
Keywords: Photovoltaic power generation system, High voltage conversion ratio bidi-
rectional converter, Quantitative design, Step response estimation method, Load regula-
tion

1. Introduction. Nowadays the global awakening of boosting power-saving to protect

environment, which drives the massive applications of power generation by renewable en-
ergy, and the photovoltaic power generation is the largest share of them. The photovoltaic
system uses either the boost or buck converter to convert power, yet if converter connects
to the photovoltaic module array directly without any control, it cannot fully utilize the
photovoltaic module array to generate power. Thus, using the maximum power point
tracker (MPPT) to sustain the photovoltaic module array with maximum power output
at varied irradiance and temperatures is an important studying subject. Output of the
maximum power point tracker normally is connected to the bidirectional step up/down
converter to get the bidirectional power flow in DC link. In normal, to perform the goal of
storing power by battery and assist the power-supply, it will simultaneously connect the
low-voltage side to a battery set and the high-voltage side to the DC voltage bus. Figure
1 shows the proposed system frame [1]. However, to sustain the power quality of DC bus,
it needs to use the controller design of bidirectional converter to make the photovoltaic
module array maintain the voltage set by the DC bus under different powers generated at
varied irradiance and temperatures, controls the voltage steady-state error and overshoot
caused by the variation of irradiance to be zero by means of the controller, and makes the
voltage drop small and restore time short. Although the existing bidirectional converter
framework has high-voltage-up/down ability, normally it uses the try-and-error method
DOI: 10.24507/ijicic.14.06.2203

2203
2204 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

Figure 1. System frame used in high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional

converter of photovoltaic power generation system

to decide the proportional-integral (PI) controller parameters [2-6], which will make sys-
tem voltage unstable, or even unable to get the planned DC bus voltage. The voltage
controller designed by using Bode plots of frequency response [7,8] can find the voltage
controller parameters at the specific operation point, yet if the operation point shifts, it
is unable to get a better load regulation performance. At present we already have the
intelligent controller such as the fuzzy controller [9,10], sliding-mode controller [11-13] and
model predictive control [14], which can get better control performance, yet the controller
design is complicated, and with the stability and hard-to-implement issues. Some robust
and optimal controllers are presented in [15-18], but they still have the problem of com-
plex computation and implementation. Some of the controllers mentioned above are not
robust, and even if they are robust, they are not easy to implement because of the com-
plexity of computing. Therefore, to get better robustness and easy for implementation,
the quantitative performance design method is proposed for the proposed high voltage
conversion ratio bidirectional converter controller in this paper.
Based on this, in this paper, we use the step response estimation method to estimate the
dynamic model of converter. Then, follow the given load regulation performance specifi-
cations to perform the quantitative design of controller parameters, which controls the DC
link voltage of converter output at the planned dynamic and steady-state performance
without any unstable issue. In dealing with the current-controlled PWM scheme, the
small-signal mode of current loop is first found using the state-space averaging method,
and then, the current controller parameters are found based on frequency response. After
deriving the dynamic model of the proposed converter, a systematic design technique has
been adopted to find the parameters of a PI voltage controller according to the prescribed
specifications. The effectiveness of the proposed controller will be confirmed by simulation
and experimental results. Therefore, this controller can be systematized for quantitative
design and meets the required performance specifications.
In this paper, Section 2 describes briefly the operating theory of the proposed bidirec-
tional high voltage converter ratio converter. Then, the modeling and quantitative design
of a controller for the proposed converter are made in Section 3. In Section 4, some simu-
lation and experimental results are made to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed
controller. Finally, in Section 5, some conclusions are given.
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2205

2. Operating Theory of Bidirectional High Voltage Conversion Ratio Con-

verter. The high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter mentioned in this paper
has the high step-up voltage and high step-down voltage function and bidirectional flow
of energy; it connects the high-voltage side to the DC link and low-voltage side to a bat-
tery set to perform the battery-power-storage and assist-to-supply-power [4]. The high
voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter circuit applied in this paper is shown in
Figure 2. This DC-DC converter with coupled inductors has a simple configuration and
an easy-to-use feature, provides an improved voltage gain by use of coupled inductors, and
suppresses the input and output ripple current. The operating principle of the proposed
bidirectional high voltage conversion ratio converter will be explained more clearly below.

Figure 2. The high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter circuit

Since the circuit of high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter has two-way-
flow ability, following the flow direction the energy can be divided into the boost and buck
operation modes; the circuit operations can be divided into the closed and open circuit
according to the switch actions. In an operating period, the ratio of closed time ton , the
ratio of opened time toff and period T within an operating period is defined as the duty
ratio D, expressed in Equation (1).
∆ ton ton
D= = (1)
T ton + toff
In the following section, we will illustrate the operation theory of high voltage conversion
ratio bidirectional converter by the boost mode and buck mode.
2.1. Boost mode.
(1) Switch-closed (0 5 ton 5 D1 T )
When the switch S1 at low-voltage side is closed, since the switch-control signals at
both the high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) side apply the complementary control
method, S2 at HV side is at off state; the responded equivalent circuit of the converter is
shown in Figure 3; now, the voltages measured at both ends of inductors L1 and L2 can
be expressed as
diL1
vL1 = VBat = L1 (2)
dt
n2
vL2 = VBat (3)
n1
where VBat is the voltage at low voltage side; n1 and n2 are turns of the coupled inductor
in primary and secondary sides, respectively.
If the turns ratio of coupled inductor N is defined as
∆ n2
N= (4)
n1
2206 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

associating Equation (3) we get

vL2 = N VBat (5)
vL = vL1 + vL2 = (1 + N )VBat (6)
(2) Switch-open (D1 T 5 toff 5 T )
When S1 at LV side is opened and S2 at HV side is closed, the responded equivalent
circuit of the converter is shown in Figure 4; now, the coupled inductors L1 and L2 can
be treated as one inductor L, voltage across L is expressed as
vL = VBat − VBus (7)
From the volt-second balance theorem of inductor, while operating at steady-state,
change of inductor’s circuit within a period should be zero; therefore, from Equations (6)
and (7) we get
(1 + N )VBat D1 T + (VBat − VBus ) (1 − D1 )T = 0 (8)
After associating Equation (8) we can derive the relation equation of voltages at LV and
HV sides as
VBus (1 + N D1 )
= (9)
VBat (1 − D1 )

Figure 3. Equivalent circuit when S1 at LV side is closed while the high

voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter is at boost mode

Figure 4. Equivalent circuit when S1 at LV side is opened while the high

voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter is at boost mode

2.2. Buck mode.

(1) Switch-closed (0 5 ton 5 D2 T )
When switch S2 at HV side is closed, since the switch-control signals at both the HV
and LV sides apply the complementary control method, S1 at LV side is at off state;
the responded equivalent circuit of the converter is shown in Figure 5; now, the coupled
inductors L1 and L2 can be treated as one inductor L, and voltage across L is expressed
as
vL = vL1 + vL2 = VBat − VBus (10)
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2207

Figure 5. Equivalent circuit when S2 at HV side is closed while the high

voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter is operated at buck mode

(2) Switch-open (D2 T 5 toff 5 T )

When the switch S2 at HV side is opened and S1 at LV side is closed, the responded
equivalent circuit of the converter is shown in Figure 6; now, the voltages measured across
inductors L1 and L2 can be expressed as
diL1
vL1 = VBat = L1 (11)
dt
n2
vL2 = VBat = N VBat (12)
n1
vL = vL1 + vL2 = (1 + N )VBat (13)

Figure 6. Equivalent circuit when S2 at HV side is opened while the high

voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter is operated at buck mode

From the volt-second balance theorem of inductor, while operating at steady-state,

change of inductor’s circuit within a period should be zero; therefore, from Equations
(10) and (13) we get
(VBat − VBus )D2 T + (1 + N )VBat (1 − D2 )T = 0 (14)
After associating Equation (14) we can derive the relation equation of voltages at LV and
HV sides as
VBat D2
= (15)
VBus 1 + N (1 − D2 )
Since the switch-control signals at both the HV and LV sides apply the complementary
control method, if D2 is the duty ratio of switch S2 , then, D1 , the duty ratio of switch
S1 , can be expressed as
∆
D1 = (1 − D2 ) (16)
2208 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

Substituting Equation (16) into (15), we can derive the relation equation of voltages at
LV and HV sides as
VBat (1 − D1 )
= (17)
VBus (1 + N D1 )
From Equations (9) and (17) we can get that increasing the turns ratio can elevate the
voltage conversion ratio; the relation between the turns ratio and voltage to be suffered
while switch is off is expressed in the equation below [1]
(VBus + N VBat )
vDS 1 = VBat − vL1 = (18)
(1 + N )
vDS 2 = vL2 + VBus = (VBus + N VBat ) (19)
Currents taken while all switches are on (closed) are expressed in Equations (20) and
(21), where IBus is the DC link current, and IB is the battery’s current.
IDS 1 = IB + N IBus (20)
IB + N IBus
IDS 2 = (21)
(1 + N )
To have the high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter operated at the contin-
uous conduction mode (CCM), the design inductance must satisfy Equation (22) expressed
below [1]
VBat RBus (VBus − VBat )(1 − D1 )T
L1 min = 2
(22)
2VBus (N + 1)
where RBus is the load resistance at the high-voltage side of the DC voltage bus as shown
in Figure 1.

3. Controller Design of High Voltage Conversion Ratio Bidirectional Con-

verter. Figure 7 shows the system control frame of high voltage conversion ratio bidi-
rectional converter; it contains two loop controllers: the inner loop is the battery current
control loop; the outer loop is the DC link voltage control loop [19].
After going through the loop, the HV voltage VBus (i.e., DC link voltage) will generate a
′ ∗
VBus voltage signal, after compared with the referenced voltage VBus , it generates a voltage
error signal εv ; after being compensated by the voltage controller, it gets the commanding
value of battery current i∗o , after compared i∗o with the battery feedback current i′B , we
obtain a current signal deviation signal εi ; then, after being through the current controller,
we obtain a tuning signal Vcont ; then, after compared with the triangular carrier wave

Figure 7. System control frame of high voltage conversion ratio bidirec-

tional converter
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2209

signal, it generates the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, used to control the switch
state of power switches S1 and S2 . If voltage deviation occurs at HV side, tuning the value
and direction of battery current command i∗o over the voltage control loop can ensure that
the voltage at HV side is stabilized at the set command value.
3.1. Design of current controller. The current control of high voltage conversion ratio
bidirectional converter is to have the high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional converter
work at the continuous conduction mode (CCM) and make design [20,21]; in this paper,
we let the converter work at boost mode and make analysis on it; treat both L1 and L2
as an equivalent inductor L. Since the controlled battery current is equal to the current
at inductor L, while S1 at LV is closed, its state equation can be expressed as

 diB (1 + N )vBat

 =

 dt L
dvCH vBus 0 ≤ t ≤ D1 T (23)

 = − ,

 dt R C
 Bus H
vBus = vCH , iS2 = 0
After expressing Equation (23) in matrix, it becomes
 [ ][  

 [ ] 0 0 ] (1 + N )

 d iB iB

 dt vC = 1 + L  vBat
H
0 − v CH
RBus CH 0 (24)

 [ ]

 [ ] iB

 vBus = 0 1 , iS2 = 0
vCH
While S1 at LV is opened, its state equation can be expressed as

 diB vBat − vBus

 =

 dt L
dvCH iB vBus D1 T ≤ t ≤ T (25)

 = − ,

 dt CH RBus CH

vBus = vCH , iS2 = iB
After expressing Equation (25) in matrix, it becomes
    
 [ ] 1 [ ]

 0 − 1

 d iB  L  iB

 dt vC = 1 1  v +  L  vBat
H
− C H
0 (26)

 [
CH
]
RBus CH

 [ ] iB


 vBus = 0 1 , iS2 = iB
vCH
Next, we use the state average method [22-25] to average the state equation in S1
switch’s duty cycle, i.e., Equation (24) × D1 T + Equation (26) × (1 − D1 )T and divided
by T , we obtain
  

 (1 − D )  

 [ ] 0 −
1
[ ] 1 + N d1
 d iB   iB

 =
L   L  vBat
 dt vC  (1 − D 1 ) 1  vCH +
−
H
0 (27)

 CH RBus CH

 [ ]

 [ ] iB

 vBus = 0 1 , iS2 = (1 − d1 )iB
v
CH
2210 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

To linearize Equation (27), we add the disturbing signal at the operation point, i.e., iB =
IB + ∆iB , vCH = VCH + ∆vCH , vBat = VBat + ∆vBat , vBus = VBus + ∆vBus , iS2 = IS2 + ∆iS2
and d1 = D1 + ∆d1 ; after putting the disturbing signal into Equation (27), we get
  
 [1 − (D1 + ∆d1 )]

 [ ] 0 − [ ]

 d I + ∆i  L  I + ∆i



B B
=
 [1 − (D1 + ∆d1 )]
 B
 VCH + ∆vCH
B

 dt VCH + ∆vCH 1

 −

 CH RBus CH

  
 1 + N (D1 + ∆d1 )
 + L  VBat + ∆vBat (28)



 0

 [ ]

 [ ]

 IB + ∆iB

 VBus + ∆vCH = 0 1

 VCH + ∆vCH


IS2 + ∆iS2 = [1 − (D1 + ∆d1 )](IB + ∆iB )
Set the disturbing value of Equation (28) to zero, we can get that the steady-state op-
eration point is Equation (29), the disturbing signal equation at operation points (VBat ,
VBus , IS2 , IL , D1 ) is shown in Equation (30).


 (1 − D1 )
 VBat = VBus


 1 + N D1
VBus = VCH = (1 − D1 )IB RBus (29)



 V

 IS2 = Bus , IS2 = (1 − D1 )IB
RBus


 d∆iB (1 − D1 ) 1 + N D1 VC + N VBat

 =− ∆vCH + ∆vBat + H ∆d1

 dt L L L
d∆vCH (1 − D1 ) 1 IB (30)

 = ∆iB − ∆v C − ∆d1

 dt CH R C
Bus H
H
CH

 ∆V
Bus = ∆VCH , ∆iS2 = (1 − D1 )∆iB − IB ∆d1
After making Laplace transformation on Equation (30), we can plot the small signal
dynamic model block diagram, shown in Figure 8. By doing so, it can control the loop
current, where Ki is the current sensing factor.
B (s) 
After deriving, the transfer function ∆i
∆d1 (s) 
in Figure 8 can be the transfer
∆vBat (s)=0
function of Equation (31).

∆iB (s)  (VBus + N VBat )RBus CH s + 2VBus + N VBat
 = (31)
∆d1 (s) ∆vBat (s)=0 RBus CH Ls2 + Ls + (1 − D1 )2 RBus
The transfer function of current loop gain is
Gci (s) V̂1 Ki [(VBus + N VBat )RBus CH s + 2VBus + N VBat ]
tri
LG(s) = (32)
RBus CH Ls2 + Ls + (1 − D1 )2 RBus
where V̂tri is the amplitude of triangular carrier wave. The current controller Gci (s) applies
the PI controller shown in Equation (33).
KP i s + KIi
Gci (s) = (33)
s
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2211

Figure 8. Control system block diagram of the input current of high volt-
age conversion ratio bidirectional converter

The derivation of dynamic model and controller quantitative design are pretty difficult,
and we thus apply a simple general rule in the design process: the crossover frequency fc
is less than half of the switching frequency fs [26], as expressed in Equation (34).
1
fc < fs (34)
2
Since the integration gain has less influence to the crossover frequency, we thus select
KIi = 10000, and use the condition of Equation (33) to find out the range of KP i . Next,
we use Matlab software to analyze the Bode plots for the different loop gain frequency
responses corresponding to different KP i when KIi = 10000, shown in Figure 9. After the
analysis, we get the condition of KP i as
|LG(s = j2πfc )| KIi = 10000 = 1 (35)
fc = 25kHz

Here we set KP i = 10, and get the parameter of current feedback controller as
KP i s + KIi 10s + 10000
Gci (s) = = (36)
s s

3.2. Dynamic model estimation. Next, we use the step-response method [27] to es-
timate the dynamic model of converter; the system dynamic response of high voltage
conversion ratio bidirectional converter is expressed by the voltage loop control block
diagram shown in Figure 10, where Kv = 0.005 is the voltage sensing factor due to a at-
tenuation ratio 200:1 of the voltage sensor, Kpv is the conversion coefficient of the voltage
change due to a power disturbance at HV side, Gcv (s) is the voltage controller, and Gp (s)
is the transfer function of converter.
While estimating the dynamic mode by the step response estimation method, the design
steps are as follows.
2212 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

a) To estimate the dynamic mode estimation, the voltage controller was set as the pro-
portional control Gcv (s) = Kp = 3 at the operation point (VBus = 324V, P = 1000W)
to let the system operate in a closed loop control.
∗
b) Given a step voltage command (∆vBus = 0.2, i.e., the voltage vBus at HV side changes
324V → 364V), the changing status of measured vBus is shown in Figure 11; the steady-
state voltage is 360V.
c) At the same operating condition, grant an irradiance-change to make the change of
module array output power become ∆Ppv = 150W, i.e., Ppv changes 1000W → 850W,
the response of measured vBus is shown in Figure 12; the steady-state voltage is 318V.

Figure 9. Bode plots for current loop frequency response

Figure 10. Voltage loop control block diagram for high voltage conversion
ratio bidirectional converter
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2213

Figure 11. Output response waveform of DC link voltage step command

for the change from 324V to 364V

Figure 12. Output voltage waveform while irradiance changes from

1000W/m2 down to 850W/m2 (i.e., Ppv changes from 1000W → 850W)

d) From voltage control loop block diagram shown in Figure 10, we can derive the transfer
∗
functions of Equation (37) for ∆vBus versus ∆vBus and Equation (38) for ∆vBus versus
∆Ppv . 
∆vBus  bGcv Kv ∆ c
Hv (s) = ∗ 
= = 1 (37)
∆vBus ∆p=0 s + a + bGcv Kv s + d

∆vBus  −bKpv Kv ∆ c
Hp (s) =  = =− 2 (38)
∆Ppv ∗
∆vBus =0 s + a + bGcv Kv s+d
where
Gcv = Kp (39)
2214 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

d = a + bGcv Kv = a + bKp Kv (40)

c1 = bGcv Kv = bKp Kv (41)
c2 = bKpv Kv (42)
e) We can get the time of obtaining the steady-state value of voltage step-response and
time of reaching (1 − e−1 ) of steady-state value from Figure 11, and calculate the
parameters c1 = 145.775 and d = 166.6.
f) From Figure 12 we can see the steady-state response of step change for irradiance (i.e.,
∆ppv = 150W), from Equation (38) we can calculate c2 = 0.033, and from Equations
(41) and (42) we get Kpv = 0.0006857.
g) From Equations (39) to (42) we can get a = 20.8255 and b = 9718.3, the transfer
function of converter Gp (s) is shown in Equation (43).
b 9718.3
Gp (s) = = (43)
s+a s + 20.8255
3.3. Design of voltage controller. In the control block diagram of Figure 10, we set a =
20.8255 and b = Kv b = 0.005 × 9718.3 = 48.5915 to express the estimated dynamic model
parameter of converter, and DC link voltage controller Gcv (s) applies the PI controller
displayed in Equation (44).
KP s + KI
Gcv (s) = (44)
s
From the control block diagram shown in Figure 10, we can derive the closed loop
transfer function from ∆vBus to ∆Ppv as shown in Equation (45).

∆vBus  −sKpv b
HP (s) =  = 2 ( ) (45)
∆Ppv ∆v∗ =0 s + a + bKP s + bKI
Bus

The unit-step response of (45) is

HP (s) −Kpv b∆p
∆vBus (s) = = 2 ( ) (46)
s s + a + bKP s + bKI
To have system get the high-performance regulation characteristics, normally the step
dynamic response should have zero steady-state error, zero overshoot, small maximum-
voltage-dip and short restore time. To have the aforesaid characteristics, define the restore
time tr is the time of voltage restoring back to 5% of maximum voltage-dip after the
irradiance changes. After deciding the standards of maximum voltage-dip v̂Bus,max and
restoring time tr , we can obtain the following two nonlinear equations.
[ ( ) ( )]
Kpv b∆Ppv u−u−u1 ln uu1 −u2
ln
u1
f1 (u1 , u2 ) = v̂Bus,max − e 1 2 2 − e u1 −u2 u2 (47)
u 1 − u2
Kpv b∆Ppv [ −u1 tr ]
f2 (u1 , u2 ) = 0.05v̂Bus,max − e + e−u2 tr (48)
u 1 − u2
u1 + u2 = a + bKP
(49)
u1 u2 = bKI
In Figure 10 (voltage feedback control block diagram), since the controller has integra-
tor, system thus has no steady-state error. When Equation (45) solves out that both the
two characteristic roots are the negative real numbers, it thus can prove that no over-
shoot exists [28], which can satisfy the conditions of Equations (47) and (48). After tr and
v̂Bus,max are given, we can use Matlab software to solve the variables u1 and u2 (u1 > 0,
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2215

u2 > 0) of equations f1 (u1 , u2 ) and f2 (u1 , u2 ); then, we use Equation (49) to solve the
parameters KP and KI of DC link voltage controller:
(u1 + u2 ) − a u1 u 2
KP = KI = (50)
b b
4. Simulation and Experimental Results. Table 1 lists the electrical specifications
and component ratings of the implemented high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional
converter. This paper mainly focuses on the design of controller of the proposed converter.
As for the design procedure of the converter’s circuit element specification, the previous
paper has already presented in [2]; therefore, in view of the limited length of the paper,
it does not repeat here. The dynamic model of this converter is derived as shown in
Equation (51); we make test on the controller we have designed at the specified operating
point (output voltage vBus = 324V and load power Ppv = 1000W).
b 48.6
Gp (s) = = (51)
s+a s + 20.8255

Table 1. Electrical specifications and component ratings involved in the

implemented converter

Parameter Specification
Low voltage side voltage (VBat ) VBat = 50V
High voltage side voltage (VBus ) VBus = 380V
Switching frequency (f ) f = 25kHz
Power rating (Po ) Po = 1000W
Coupled inductance (L1 , L2 ) L1 = 20µH, L2 = 80µH
Turn ratio of coupled inductor (N ) N =2
Power switches (S1 , S2 ) IXGH48N60C3D1 (600V/48A)
Capacitance (CL , CH ) CL = CH = 470µF

The controller performances to be met are:

a) Steady-state error = 0;
b) Overshoot = 0;
c) Maximum output voltage-dip made from the change of step irradiance v̂Bus,max =
0.1V/W (i.e., 150W → 15V);
d) Restoring time caused by the change of step irradiance tr = 0.1 sec.
Applying the quantitative controller design method of controller, we can get the voltage
controller parameter of DC link from Equation (50):
KP = 0.085, KI = 2.519 (52)
In order to verify the feasibility of quantitative design on controller, under the step-
change of 150W module array output power, the simulated DC link step-response is shown
in Figure 13.
The simulating result shows that the output’s voltage dynamic response meets the
set condition (maximum voltage-dip is 15V, and the restoring time is 0.1sec). At the
same condition, Figures 14 and 15 show the DC link voltage dynamic response measured
by applying the controller under quantitative design (KP = 0.085, KI = 2.519) and
traditional PI controller (KP = 0.05, KI = 3) respectively. From Figure 14 we can
see that for the controller that applies quantitative design, the output voltage dynamic
response meets the results made by simulation. And from Figure 15 we can see that for
2216 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

Figure 13. Simulated output DC link voltage waveform of photovoltaic

module array made by applying the quantitatively designed controller under
∆150W (1000W → 850W) power change

Figure 14. Measured output DC link voltage waveform of photovoltaic

module array made by applying the quantitatively designed controller under
∆150W (1000W → 850W) power change

the traditional PI controller, although the voltage-dip has insignificant difference from the
one shown in Figure 14, the restoring time takes longer apparently.
While the photovoltaic module array power output is down for 250W, the measured
dynamic response of output voltage is shown in Figure 16. Although the 250W power step
change is in excess of the designed one, which makes the voltage-dip a little bit higher,
it is still better than the control performance of traditional PI controller shown in Figure
17, in particular on the brilliance of restoring time.
 MODELING AND QUANTITATIVE DESIGN OF A CONTROLLER 2217

Figure 15. Measured output DC link voltage waveform of photovoltaic

module array made by applying the traditional PI controller under ∆150W
power change

Figure 16. Measured output DC link voltage waveform of photovoltaic

module array made by applying the quantitatively designed controller under
∆250W (1000W → 750W) power change

5. Conclusions. In this paper we build a high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional con-
verter, which can sustain a stable DC link voltage output when the photovoltaic module
array output power varies, and supplies sufficient power to load while the irradiance is
insufficient; while the irradiance is sufficient, it can store the extra power into battery.
Meanwhile, the voltage controller applying quantitative design enables DC link voltage to
have high regulation performance. The high voltage-ratio bidirectional converter made in
2218 P.-Y. CHEN, K.-H. CHAO AND H.-J. CHEN

Figure 17. Measured output DC link voltage waveform of photovoltaic

module array made by applying the traditional PI controller under ∆250W
power change

this paper also can be applied in different renewable energies; the applications are wide
with practical value. A non-isolated soft-switching bidirectional converter will be studied
in the future to provide not only a high conversion ratio, but also a low voltage stress
across power switches. Furthermore, the surge voltage can be suppressed through the
release of the energy stored in leakage inductance. In addition, a robust PI voltage con-
troller with a quantitative design procedure will be presented to overcome a wide range
of load changes.

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