Step-By-Step Design of an FPGA-Based Digital Compensator for DC/DC Converters Oriented to an Introductory Course

In this paper, a short introductory course to introduce field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based digital control of dc/dc switching power converters is presented. Digital control based on specific hardware has been at the leading edge of low-medium power dc/dc switching converters in recent years. Besides industry´s interest in this topic, from the educational point of view, digital control is a multidisciplinary subject that is very attractive to include in various programs of study. The course presented here covers the calculation and implementation procedure for a linear compensator based on an FPGA for a dc/dc converter. The approach taken is structured in a step-by-step design flow combining theoretical justifications, use of CAD tools, and lab experience. The course can be adapted to students´ various backgrounds and time schedules.