Power Research
(2022 - Present)

Rapid prototyping systems to perform feedback controls are expensive and impractical. Other alternatives like analog controllers and waveform generators also take time for their difficulties for tuning. Thus, this research explores the limits of configuring and using Arduino for doing power electronics research. As a result, Arduino was able to fulfill feedback control accurately under certain settings. However, Arduino provided inaccurate results outside of those settings due to its hardware limitations.

In the academic environment, the development of power electronics systems is frequently slowed by the design and implementation of feedback controls. There are several attrac- tive hardware-in-the-loop rapid prototyping systems, such as dSpace or Speedgoat, but these systems are expensive and impractical for a system that must be deployed or be compact. Alternatives include analog controllers which employ some combination of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) integrated circuit chip or custom waveform generator and comparator, and passive components wrapped around op amps. This is a productive venture, but it generally takes significant time to fabricate and is generally more difficult to quickly tune its op- eration. Digital control is typically more compact and software adjustable, but it requires greater confidence in coding and experience with embedded systems generally. This research explores the limits of configuring and using a hobbyist-style microcontroller for doing power electronics research. The ultimate goal is to assemble a DC power electronics microgrid and study energy management issues. Central to this endeavor is developing a capable controller that students can deploy rapidly with some success.

After prototyping and experimenting with Arduino and Taraz DC-DC Buck Converter, we used MATLAB's Simulink tool to verify the result.

Presented at:

• USAFA Cadet Summer Research Program (CSRP) Presentation
• 2023 Western Regional Honors Conference (WRHC) at University of Montana

IN PROGRESS for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)