Welcome to the Ansoft Web Seminar

PExprt/Maxwell 2D/SIMPLORER:
Buck
Converter/Transformer
Mark Christini
EM Application Engineering
christini@ansoft.com

Starting in:
Pg. 1

Buck Converter Design

Process
1) Manually select the topology
2) Use Simplorer to simulate the SMPS model
3) Use PExprt to design inductor
4) Use PEmag to generate detailed netlist model
5) Import PEmag model into Simplorer
6) Use Simplorer to simulate the PEmag model
7) Use Simplorer (transient) for load step test
8) Use Simplorer (AC) to design feedback loop
9) Use Simplorer (transient) to do feedback loop test and
verify performance

Pg. 2

Simplorer
PExprt
PEmag

Simplorer

Step 1: Select the topology

Buck
BuckConverter
Converter
Decide
Decideto
touse
use
either
average
either average
or
orswitch
switchlevel
level
Buck
BuckConverter
Converter

Pg. 3

Step 2: Simulate in Simplorer with SMPS

library

Use
Useswitch
switchlevel
levelBuck
BuckConverter
Converterfrom
fromSMPS
SMPSlibrary
library

Change
Changeduty
dutycycle
cycle
and
andinductor
inductorvalue
value
to
achieve
desired
to achieve desired
output
outputvoltage
voltage

Pg. 4

Open and run in

Simplorer

Step 3: Design Inductor with PExprt

Easy
Easytransition
transitionfrom
from
Simplorer
to
PExprt
Simplorer to PExprt

Build
Buildaawaveform
waveform
based
basedinductor
inductoror
or
buck
converter
buck converter
in
inPExprt
PExprt

Pg. 5

Step 3: Design Inductor with PExprt

Run
Runthe
thePExprt
PExprt
model
modeland
andselect
select
the
design
the design
you
youprefer
prefer

Open e03_Buck.cia
and run in PExprt

Pg. 6

PExprt
PExprtdesign
designresults,
results,including
includingconstructive
constructivedata
data

Step 4: Generate Model with PExprt Modeler

[PEmag]
Generate
Generateaa
1D
1DAnalytical
Analytical
or
a
or a2D
2DFEA
FEA
based
model
based model

Open and run

in PEmag

Pg. 7

Can
Caninclude
includecore
corenon-linear
non-lineareffects
effects
using
usingJiles-Atherton
Jiles-Athertonmodel
modelififthe
thecore
core
isisoperating
operatingin
inthe
thenonlinear
nonlinearrange
range
(usually
this
is
a
bad
design)
(usually this is a bad design)

Step 5: Import PExprt Model into

Simplorer

Use
UseSimplorer
SimplorerPExprt
PExprt
link
to
substitute
link to substituteideal
ideal
inductor
inductorwith
with
PExprt
model
PExprt model

Pg. 8

Open original buck

converter and import
PExprt .sml file

Step 6: Simplorer Simulation With PExprt

Model
PExprt
PExprtModel
Modeland
andSymbol
Symbol

Simulate
Simulatethe
thePExprt
PExprt
model
modelin
inSimplorer
Simplorer

(Or open .ssh with PExprt model

already imported and re-run)

Pg. 9

Step 7: Load Step Test: Feedback loop is

needed

Non-Regulated
Non-Regulated
Output
OutputVoltage
Voltage
Spike
Spikeoccurs
occurs
since
no
since nocontrol
control
loop
is
used
loop is used
Open and run load step case in
Simplorer Transient solver

Pg.

Load
Loadstep
step
reduces
current
reduces current
and
anddevice
devicemoves
moves
to
todiscontinuous
discontinuous
mode
mode

Step 8: Design Feedback Loop in frequency

domain

Add
AddPID
PID
controller
controller
from
fromthe
the
SMPS
SMPSlibrary
library

This
Thiscontrols
controls
duty
dutycycle
cycleof
of
switch
to
switch to
maintain
maintain
constant
constant
output
outputvoltage
voltage

Open and run load step case in

Simplorer AC solver

Pg.

Design
Designof
ofthe
thecontrol
controlloop
loop
with
AC
analysis
of
the
Converter
with AC analysis of the Converter
Specifically,
Specifically,select
selectRRand
andCC
in
inthe
thePID
PIDcontroller
controller

Step 9: Feedback Loop Test: Simplorer Time

Domain
Finally, return to the time domain analysis
Finally, return to the time domain analysis
to
tosee
seehow
howthe
thebuck
buckconverter
converterperforms
performs

PID
PIDregulator
regulatorfrom
fromthe
theSMPS
SMPSlibrary
library
Load
LoadStep
Step

Regulated
RegulatedOutput
OutputVoltage
Voltage

Open and run load step case in

Simplorer Transient solver
with PID control

Pg.

Conclusions

Pg.

Power converters, such as Buck Converters, can be

designed from start to finish using Ansoft tools
Simplorer can be used for preliminary average SMPS
design
PExprt can design the inductor, based on
performance specifications
PEmag can refine the chosen inductor design
Simplorer can evaluate the performance of the entire
converter design, including feedback analysis