Boundary-mode operation of the boost converter for thermoelectric generator maximum power tracking

Abstract

Performance-favourable and noteworthy characteristics of the Boost converter are reported, when the latter operates in Maximum Power Tracking (MPT) mode, while fed from a fixed internal resistance power source specifically a Thermo Electric Generator (TEG). It is found that if the converter is controlled with Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM), for a specific value of inductance, the inductor current inherently remains on the boundary of continuity for the whole control range, that is under all conditions, resulting in reduced switching losses. Furthermore, MPT is possible without the sampling of any current but only with the sampling of the converter input and output voltages. The above theoretical findings have been verified by an experimental prototype.