Boost Converter Calculator

Boost Converter Calculator

e.g., 12V (car battery)
e.g., 24V (higher requirement)
e.g., 50kHz typical
e.g., 0.5A moderate
Duty Cycle -
Inductance -
How Boost Converter Calculations Work

How Boost Converter Calculations Work

This article explains the mathematical foundation behind the boost converter calculator and how it determines key parameters for DC-DC voltage conversion.

Key Calculations

1. Duty Cycle Calculation

The fundamental relationship in boost converters is defined by:

D = 1 - (Vin / Vout)

Where:

  • D = Duty cycle (ratio of ON time to total switching period)
  • Vin = Input voltage
  • Vout = Output voltage

This equation shows that as the output voltage increases relative to input voltage, the required duty cycle increases.

2. Inductance Calculation

The required inductance is calculated using:

L = (Vin × (Vout - Vin)) / (ΔI × f × Vout)

Where:

  • L = Inductance in Henry
  • ΔI = Ripple current
  • f = Switching frequency

This equation ensures proper energy storage and transfer in the inductor while maintaining desired current ripple.

Unit Conversion System

The calculator automatically handles unit conversions using these base multipliers:

Unit Conversion Factor
kV → V × 1000
mV → V × 0.001
MHz → Hz × 1,000,000
kHz → Hz × 1000
mA → A × 0.001
µA → A × 0.000001

Example Calculation

Let's walk through a sample calculation:

Input Values:

  • Input Voltage: 5V
  • Output Voltage: 12V
  • Switching Frequency: 50 kHz
  • Ripple Current: 0.5A

Step 1: Calculate Duty Cycle

D = 1 - (5V / 12V) = 0.5833 (58.33%)

Step 2: Calculate Inductance

L = (5 × (12 - 5)) / (0.5 × 50,000 × 12) L = 35 / 300,000 = 0.0001167 H = 116.7 µH

Error Handling

The calculator includes several validation checks:

  • All values must be positive numbers
  • Output voltage must be greater than input voltage
  • Values must be within practical operating ranges

Conclusion

This boost converter calculator simplifies complex power electronics calculations using fundamental switching converter equations. By understanding these core principles, engineers can better design and optimize their DC-DC conversion circuits.