A Model Predictive Current Control Method for Achieving a High Efficiency and High Robustness Boost PFC Converter Operation

Abstract

This paper proposes a boost PFC converter based on model predictive current control to achieve both improved efficiency and robustness against voltage distortion. The control method of the conventional boost PFC converter adopts a fixed switching frequency, so it is limited in improving the switching loss. In addition, distorted current occurs under distorted voltage, which degrades converter performance. However, the proposed method operates with a variable switching frequency because it predicts the inductor current based on a cost function and then controls it. When this method is applied, the switching frequency is reduced near the peak voltage where the current is the highest, so it is facilitated to improve efficiency. In addition, since it detects the frequency of the input voltage and generates a sine wave internally, it is robust against voltage distortion. The proposed method confirmed the facilitation of efficiency improvement compared to the conventional predictive current mode control. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, simulation and Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) tests are performed using PLECS RT-box. In addition, experiment is conducted by configuring an experimental setup of a 3.3kW boost PFC converter based on the SiC power module.