H∞control of a step-down DC-DC switching regulator for 14/42 V hybrid architectures of next-generation cars

In the present paper the well-known step-down DC-DC switching regulator based on PWM techniques is used to supply 14 V to the electrical and electronic systems of next-generation cars, which not only will have to perform under 42 V technology, but also with many automotive electrical and electronic systems which have been designed to work under the soon-to-be obsolete 14 V technology. Here, the classical design of PWM DC-DC converters is compared to the post-modern one, which is implemented in this paper by using analog electronics. Furthermore, QFD techniques are used as tools to better focus on both their applications to the automotive industry and the cost of their implementations. The experimental results demonstrate the importance of using robust and optimal control techniques when designing the 14/42 V converters for the next-generation cars.