Published: 30 September 2013

Nonlinear behavior analysis of Z-source DC/DC converter based on current control

Chen Yan1
Zheng Yong2
1School of Electronic Information & Automation Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
2Chongqing Key Laboratory of Time Grating Sensing & Advanced Testing Technology Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
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Abstract

Z-source converter as a kind of power converter will be responsible for the energy transmission and load switching and other important functions, the paper focuses on the nonlinear characteristic analysis of Z-source DC/DC converter, in the continuous conduction mode (CCM), take the Z-source converter with peak current control as the research object, establish stroboscopic mapping model for analyzing its bifurcation and chaos characteristic based on system accurate modeling. According to numerical simulation and analysis, estimate parameter range in which Z-source occur bifurcation and chaos under different design. Considering the change of reference current, input voltage and load impedance, the experiment results prove that Z-source converter stroboscopic mapping model is correct for analyzing its nonlinear behavior, which provides a theoretical basis for optimal design and control.

1. Introduction

The converter is the core of the modern power electronic system, whose operational state directly relates to the whole system performance. Thanks to the devices nonlinear and switching function, the converter using feedback control demonstrates strong non-linear and time-varying. The nonlinear phenomenon such as bifurcation and chaos may be produced during the operating process. In the 90s last century, the researchers at home and abroad have began to analyze converter nonlinear behavior and develop control method [1-5].

Z-source converter as the power converter topology has a single stage topology which can operate in both buck and boost modes; it has the following merits [6-8]: adjusting voltage in large range, high reliability, improving system’s converting efficiency, flexibility et al. Thus, the Z-source structure inverter is especially suit for the situation of output change greatly such as photovoltaic generation [7], Z-source as power conditioning system can output favorable AC voltage and widely used in different fields [8-9]. When Z-source is applied in power converting system, it will reveal the strange and irregular phenomenon during the operation process such as the sudden collapse of the critical operating state, the unknown electromagnetic noise, the system unstable to run and unable work according to the actual needs etc. This is the external manifestation of converter inherent nonlinearity, bifurcation and chaos [12]. The converter working in the chaos state will cause the system to run unpredicted and uncontrolled due to its uncertainty, thus its performance is influenced seriously, and even completely unable work. However, at present the Z-source converter nonlinearity research has not been reported at home and abroad [1-11], so the further research will play important role on improving system operation performance.

Aiming at the nonlinear characteristic, the author mainly researches on the nonlinearity of Z-source DC/DC converter. In the CCM mode, take the converter with peak current control as the research object, establish stroboscopic mapping model for analyzing its bifurcation and chaos characteristic based on system accurate modeling. According to numerical simulation and analysis, estimate parameter range in which Z-source occur bifurcation and chaos under different design.

2. Z-source converter principle

The schematic diagram of Z-source converter with peak-current control mode is shown in Fig. 1, the basic principle as following: the clock signal control the switch, it sets the R-S trigger at regular intervals, when Q=1, the switch is turned on at the beginning of the cycle and the switch current increases, as iL approaches the value of iref, comparator’s output signal overturn and make R-S trigger reset, Q=0, the switch is turned off until the next cycle begins. In this paper, we use the peak current control method to control the Z-source DC/DC converter because it is stable, simple, response rapidly, and can limit the circuit peak current to protect the devices.

Fig. 1Schematic diagram of Z-source converter in peak-current control mode

Schematic diagram of Z-source converter in peak-current control mode

For analyzing easily, assuming that the inductors L1 and L2 and capacitors C1 and C2 have the same inductance (Lz) and capacitance (Cz), respectively, the Z-source network becomes symmetrical. Assuming shoot-through zero vector duty cycle is d in a switch period, so from literature [8] we obtain the following relationship (1)-(3):

1
Vc=Vin1-2d=BVin,
2
B=1/(1-2d)
3
uc=1-dVin1-2d.

Adjusting B can make output voltage/current higher or lower than input side.

3. Z-source DC/DC converter modeling and analyses in peak current control mode

3.1. Modeling of Z-source DC/DC converter

In the Z-source converter, when it works in shoot-through voltage vector state, the inverter can be equivalent to short circuit, as Fig. 2(a) shows; when it works in non-shoot-through voltage vector state, the inverter can be equivalent to a current source[9], as Fig. 2(b) shows, T is the clock cycle, the two operating modes as following:

Mode one: (shoot-through state)

4
diLdt=ucL,ducdt=-iLC.

Mode two: (non-shoot-through state)

5
diLdt=-ucL+VinL,ducdt=iLC-ucRC.

According to (4) and (5), we have the state equation of circuit as follows:

6
x.=A1x+B1Vin, nT+tnt<nT+dnT,
7
x.=A2x+B2Vin, nT+dnTt<n+1T,

where x. represents state variable, x=iLuc, A1=01/L-1C0, A2=0-1/L1/C-1/RC, B1=0, B2=[1/L0]T.

Fig. 2Equivalent circuit of Z-source DC/DC converter: a) equivalent circuit of inverter, when shoot-through state, b) equivalent circuit of inverter, when non-shoot-through state

Equivalent circuit of Z-source DC/DC converter: a) equivalent circuit of inverter,  when shoot-through state, b) equivalent circuit of inverter, when non-shoot-through state

a)

Equivalent circuit of Z-source DC/DC converter: a) equivalent circuit of inverter,  when shoot-through state, b) equivalent circuit of inverter, when non-shoot-through state

b)

3.2. Stroboscopic mapping model

Assuming dn is the duty cycle of the nth period, tn=nT, xn=x(nT), the other discrete parameters’ definition and so on, the system state equation as (6) and (7) show, we have discrete model of the nth period, which can be expressed as following:

8
xn+1=fxn,dn,
9
x(tn+dnT)=φ1(nT)x(tn)+tntn+dnTφ1tn+dnT-τB1Vindτ =φ1(dnT)x(tn)+0dnTφ1tn+dnT-τB1Vindτ, nT+tnt<nT+dnT,
10
xtn+1=φ2d-nTxtn+dnT+tn+dnTtn+Tφ2tn+T-τB2Vindτ=φ2d-nTxtn+dnT+0d-nTφ2tn+T-τB2Vindτ, nT+dnTt<n+1T,

where φ1(dnT)=eA1dnT, φ2(d-nT)=eA2d-nT, d-n=1-dn.

As a result, simplifying the integral term of the two formulas above, we have:

11
xtn+dnT=φ1dnTxn+B1VindnT,
12
xtn+1=φ2d-nTxtn+dnT+φ2d-nT-1A2-1B2Vin.

Substituting (11) into (12) and we obtain the discrete mapping equation:

13
xn+1=φ2d-nTφ1dnTxn+φ2d-nTB1VindnT+φ2d-nT-1A2-1B2Vin.

The converter switches from on state to off state based on the value of the switching function, it is given by:

14
xn+1=φ2d-nTφ1dnTxn+φ2d-nTB1VindnT+φ2d-nT-1A2-1B2Vin,

where k1=[-1, 0], then when σ(xn,dn)=0, the converter state changes.

4. Jacobian matrix method analyze system stability

Because of the change of system circuit parameter and influence of environment disturbance, the system can operate from former stable mode into instable mode. The Jacobian matrix method as an analytical method has been widely used for researching local bifurcation issue of nonlinear dynamic system. Firstly, set the Jacobian matrix at fixed point.

Supposed the controllable system is steadied at single-cycle state, and that the input voltage and reference voltage keep steady, set xn=x^+XQ, dn=d^+D, take XQ and D as single cycle solution of the steady-state. Adopting small-signal linearization perturbation to process the equation (8):

15
x^n+1=fxnx^n+fdnd^n.

According to σ(xn,dn)=0, it is available:

16
σxnx^n+σdnd^n=0.

Thus comes to:

17
d^n=-σdn-1σxnx^n.

Substituting (17) into equation (15), we have:

18
x^n+1=fxn+fdn-σdn-1σxnx^n.

In that way, the corresponding Jacobian matrix is:

19
JXQ=fxn-fdnσdn-1σxnXQ,D,

where:

σxn=k1eA1dnT, σxn=k1TeA1dnTA1xn+k1TBVin, fxn=eA21-dnTeA1dnT,

fdn=TeA21-dnTeA1dnTA1xn-TA2eA21-dnTeA1dnTxn-TA2eA21-dnTBVindnT.

λ may be recorded as the eigenvalue of J, according to the system stability, when λ located in unit circle, system is stable. Because the Jacobian matrix here is the ratio which is the quotient of latter iterative small perturbation item and the former, if the ratio is greater than 1, it is indicated that with the increase of iterative number, the amount of disturbance gradually increases, namely the system is unstable; if the ratio is less than 1, then system is in stable. Thus, the system may be unstable when the reference current varies.

Before calculate the eigenvalue of Jacobian matrix, firstly, obtain the steady-state periodic solutions XQ and D of the Z-source converter system’s discrete mapping equation. The equilibrium point is the single cycle steady-state solution, whose calculation process as following:

Set xn+1=xn=XQ,xnT+dnT=XD,dn=D, according to equation (11) and equation (12), it is available:

20
XD=φ1XQ+BVinDT,
21
XQ=φ2XD+φ2-IBVin.

According to the two equations above, we obtain the solution:

22
XQ=(I-φ1φ2)-1φ2BVinDT+φ2-IA2-1BVin,
23
XD=(I-φ1φ2)-1φ1φ2-IA2-1BVin+BVinDT.

At the same time, the switch function meets:

24
σ(XD,D)=iref+k1XD=0.

Simultaneous equations from (22) to (24), using the numerical calculation to get the steady-state periodic solutions XQ and D, then solve the eigenvalue of Jacobian matrix according to the steady-state periodic solution, thereby judge the system stability.

5. Numerical simulation and experimental result analysis

According to Fig. 2, given the circuit parameters as following:

C1=C2=Cz=1000 μF,L1=L2=Lz=5 mH,Vin=80 V,R=20 Ω, switching frequency is 20 kHz, the inductive current reference value iref varies from 1 A to 30 A. When given iref=1 A, using numerical computation to solve steady-state periodic solution:

XQ=[-2.0934-31.9623]T, XD=[-0.999631.9696]T, D=0.1381

Here, the Jacobian matrix is:

J=-0.09130.41870.26030.4198,

whose eigenvalues λ1=-0.2533, λ2=0.5817.

Because of |λ1|<1 and |λ2|<1, the system is stable when iref=1 A, here |λmax|=max{|λ1|,|λ2|}, this moment, the system is in single cycle steady-state. When iref=1~12 A, the change of maximum modulus eigenvalue of Jacobian matrix as Fig. 3 shows, λ1 and λ2 respectively changes on the real axis, and |λ1| changes more quickly than |λ2|, according to Table 1, when iref equal to the value between 3.4 and 3.6, the |λmax| will greater than 1, then lead to the system unstable.

When iref varies in the range of 1~30, the inductive current and capacitor voltage of Z-source networks is shown in Fig. 4. It is evident from the Fig. 4(a) and Table 1, when iref<3.4 A, the system is in stable operation (one cycle) and the corresponding duty factor D<0.5; for the reference current further increase in reference current to 3.5 A, the system bifurcates and exhibits period II operation, here D0.5, the system exhibits stable 2 period operation, till the reference current is increased to 6.1 A. After this, the system enters into stable 4 period operation; when iref=7.9~9.3 A the system operates in I period again, till the reference current increases beyond 9.3 A, the system begins to new bifurcation till chaos.

Fig. 3Eigenvalues trajectory of Jacobian matrix when Iref magnify

Eigenvalues trajectory of Jacobian matrix when Iref magnify

Fig. 4Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when Iref changes: a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when Iref changes:  a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

a)

Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when Iref changes:  a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

b)

Table 1Eigenvalues trajectory table of Jacobian matrix when Iref changes

iref
D
λ1
λ2
iref
D
λ1
λ2
1.0
0.1381
-0.2533
0.5817
3.2
0.4512
0.8750
0.9106
1.2
0.1661
0.2935
0.6289
3.4
0.4678
0.9288
0.9178
1.4
0.1939
0.3342
0.6714
3.6
0.4969
1.0329
0.9286
1.6
0.2212
0.3757
0.7097
3.8
0.5096
1.0824
0.9325
1.8
0.2480
0.4185
0.7440
2.0
0.2999
0.5093
0.8015
10
0.6011
1.5412
0.9497
2.2
0.3247
0.5574
0.8252
2.4
0.3486
0.6074
0.8458
20
0.6618
1.9900
0.9526
2.6
0.3716
0.6590
0.8635
2.8
0.4140
0.7660
0.8912
30
0.8270
4.8097
0.9528
3.0
0.4333
0.8205
0.9018

The capacitor voltage also indicates its nonlinear characteristic with iref varies as shown in Fig. 4(b), when iref<1.1 A, the system is in stable operation (one cycle), when the reference increase from 1.1 A to 3.7 A, the system bifurcates and exhibits period II operation, when the reference varies in the range from 3.7 A to 9.4 A, the system operates in quasi-II period, when the reference current is increased beyond 9.4 A, the system enters into chaos state.

The Fig. 5 shows the typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network. Seen from the Fig. 5(a), when iref=1 A, the system is in stable operation (one period); with the reference current iref increasing to 5 A, the inductive current bifurcates and indicates 2 period, but the capacitor voltage is irregular, whose change is out of synchronous with the inductive current, its typical waveforms is shown in Fig. 5(b); when iref=8 A, the inductive current varies from 2 period to stable 4 period, till the reference current is increased beyond 30 A, the system enters into chaos state. (Channel 1 represents inductive current iL and channel 2 represents capacitor voltage uc).

Fig. 5Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when iref changes: a) iref=1 A (single period), b) iref=5 A (2 period), c) iref=8 A (4 period), d) iref=15 A (chaos state)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when iref changes: a) iref=1 A  (single period), b) iref=5 A (2 period), c) iref=8 A (4 period), d) iref=15 A (chaos state)

a)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when iref changes: a) iref=1 A  (single period), b) iref=5 A (2 period), c) iref=8 A (4 period), d) iref=15 A (chaos state)

b)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when iref changes: a) iref=1 A  (single period), b) iref=5 A (2 period), c) iref=8 A (4 period), d) iref=15 A (chaos state)

c)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when iref changes: a) iref=1 A  (single period), b) iref=5 A (2 period), c) iref=8 A (4 period), d) iref=15 A (chaos state)

d)

Assuming the given parameter as follows:

C1=C2=Cz=1000 μF,L1=L2=Lz=5 mH,iref=18 A,R=20 Ω, switching frequency is 20 kHz, when the input voltage Vin varies from 50 V to 500 V, the inductive current and capacitor voltage of Z-source networks’ bifurcation diagram is shown in Fig. 6. The Fig. 7(a)~(d) show the different typical waveforms from period to chaos. (Channel 1 represents inductive current iL and channel 2 represents capacitor voltage uc).

Jacobian matrix method as an analytical method can accurately calculate the location of bifurcation points. In practical application, the Jacobian matrix method is used for locating the bifurcation point, and as a guide for the parameter design in order to ensure that the system works in the stable region. According to the location of bifurcation points, further discuss the influence of circuit parameters on the stability of the quiesent work points. According to the actual situation of photovoltaic power generation system, to select the input voltage Vin and the grid-connected current reference iref as the basis for analyzing the system stable domain when both changing. Fig. 8 shows the stability boundary curve of the system quiesent work points.

Seen from the Fig. 8, the region below the curve is stable, with the input voltage increase, the quiesent point stable range of grid-reference current increases gradually. Therefore, in the design one is to try to ensure the system work in the stable region.

Fig. 6Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when input voltage changes: a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when input voltage changes:  a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

a)

Bifurcation diagram of Z-source network when input voltage changes:  a) bifurcation diagram of inductive current, b) bifurcation diagram of capacitor voltage

b)

Fig. 7Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when Vin changes: a) Vin=50 V (chaos state), b) Vin=200 V (2 period), c) Vin=250 V (4 period), d) Vin=500 V (1 period)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when Vin changes: a) Vin=50 V  (chaos state), b) Vin=200 V (2 period), c) Vin=250 V (4 period), d) Vin=500 V (1 period)

a)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when Vin changes: a) Vin=50 V  (chaos state), b) Vin=200 V (2 period), c) Vin=250 V (4 period), d) Vin=500 V (1 period)

b)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when Vin changes: a) Vin=50 V  (chaos state), b) Vin=200 V (2 period), c) Vin=250 V (4 period), d) Vin=500 V (1 period)

c)

Typical experimental waveforms of Z-source network when Vin changes: a) Vin=50 V  (chaos state), b) Vin=200 V (2 period), c) Vin=250 V (4 period), d) Vin=500 V (1 period)

d)

Fig. 8Stable region boundary with parameters change

Stable region boundary with parameters change

6. Conclusions

In this paper, the stroboscopic mapping method is used for analyzing nonlinear behavior of Z-source DC/DC converter. In CCM, take the Z-source DC/DC converter with peak current control as the research object, establish stroboscopic mapping model for analyzing its bifurcation and chaos characteristic based on accurate system modeling. According to numerical simulation and analysis, estimate parameter range in which Z-source DC/DC converter occur bifurcation and chaos under different design.Considering the change of reference current, input voltage and load impedance, the experiment result proves that Z-source DC/DC converter stroboscopic mapping model is correct for analyzing its nonlinear behavior, which provides a theoretical basis for optimal design and control.

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About this article

Received
24 June 2013
Accepted
04 September 2013
Published
30 September 2013
Keywords
Z-source DC/DC converter
nonlinear
stroboscopic mapping
CCM
bifurcation
chaos
Acknowledgements

This study is supported by the Basic and Frontier Research Program of Chongqing Municipality (cstc2013jcyjA0531) and the Science & Technology Special Foundation of Banan District of Chongqing (2012Q120).