Analysis of limit cycle behavior in DC–DC boost converters

Abstract This paper deals with limit cycle behaviors in DC–DC boost converters with a proportional-integral (PI) voltage compensator, which is a popular design solution for increasing output voltage in power electronics. Extensive cycle-by-cycle numerical simulations are used to capture all limit cycle behaviors. It is found that there exist two types of limit cycle behaviors rather than only one type in a boost converter. For each type of limit cycle, its underlying mechanism is revealed by circuit analysis. Moreover, the critical condition is derived to predict the occurrence of the limit cycle behaviors in terms of Routh stability criterion, and the analytical expressions for the limit cycles I and II are given based on the averaged model approach. Finally, these theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations and circuit experiments.