Model Predictive Control for Four-Switch Buck-Boost Converter Based on Tuning-Free Cost Function With Smooth Mode Transition

Four-switch buck-boost (FSBB) converter has the capability of bidirectional voltage step-down and step-up, which has attracted attentions in the fields of energy storage and solar energy. However, it faces the challenges in multimode operation and smooth mode transition, which rely on the complex mode detection scheme and cumbersome parameter tuning. In this article, the inherent limitation is analyzed through inconsistent frequency response and noncontinuous duty cycle operation region aspects. Then, a model predictive control (MPC) method characterized by tuning-free cost function is presented to achieve multimode control and smooth transition simultaneously. With the goal of ensuring the reference current tracking under inconsistent frequency response, a duty cycle and current ripples prediction are presented for all switching combinations. Then, a tuning-free cost function is utilized to overcome the gaps in noncontinuous duty cycle operation region and a smooth mode transition is achieved. Further, the robustness of the current tracking capability is analyzed mathematically considering the inductance variation and stray resistance variation. Finally, a comparative experiment proves the effectiveness. And it shows that the method can improve the efficiency by 0.4% compared with the traditional four-mode control.

Automated summary

The inherent limitations of the four-switch buck-boost converter in multimode control and smooth transition are analyzed in this article. A model predictive control method is proposed to achieve multimode control and smooth transition. Experimental results show the effectiveness of the method, and it improves the efficiency by 0.4% compared to traditional four-mode control.