Automated small-signal analysis of switching converters using a general-purpose time-domain simulator

The paper describes a method for automated small-signal frequency response analysis based on transient response obtained using a general-purpose simulation tool such as Spice. The method is based on using the simulation tool to evaluate the converter impulse response. The main advantage of the proposed method as a design verification tool is that frequency responses can be generated efficiently for any converter configuration and any model complexity supported by the general-purpose simulator. Application examples are included to demonstrate very good correlation between the generated responses and experimental data, and to compare the results with predictions of approximate analytical methods.