An FPGA controlled DC/DC step-up converter for automotive applications

In automotive applications piezoelectric actuators (used as injectors) typically require more than 150 V in order to be driven in a smaller time with respect to magnetic actuators, allowing for example more precise injections in the same motor cycle. This is a big concern in automotive environment, where the 12 V battery voltage is still the main power source available. In this paper an efficient high-step up DC/DC converter is presented for interfacing the standard 12 V battery with the high voltage DC_BUS used for piezoelectric actuators system. In the proposed converter, two coupled inductor boost converters are interleaved and controlled by an FPGA. Design and analysis of the proposed converter are presented. Finally experimental results are provided for verification of the proposed converter.