Model converter performance with practical electrical inputs. Size inductors, capacitors, and switching stress values. Improve regulated power designs using fast, accurate engineering estimates.
The graph shows one simplified inductor current cycle using the calculated valley and peak values.
| Case | Vin (V) | Vout (V) | Iout (A) | Freq (kHz) | Efficiency (%) | Duty Approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Lift | 5 | 12 | 1.5 | 250 | 90 | 0.58 |
| Industrial Rail | 12 | 24 | 2.0 | 100 | 92 | 0.50 |
| Solar Step-Up | 18 | 48 | 3.0 | 75 | 94 | 0.63 |
| Portable Device | 3.7 | 9 | 0.8 | 500 | 88 | 0.59 |
Ideal boost voltage gain: Vout = Vin / (1 - D)
Ideal duty cycle: D = 1 - Vin / Vout
Practical duty estimate: D ≈ 1 - (Vin - Vswitch) / (Vout + Vdiode)
Output power: Pout = Vout × Iout
Input power: Pin = Pout / η
Input current: Iin = Pin / Vin
Required inductance: L = Vin × D / (ΔIL × fs)
Required output capacitance: C = Iout × D / (fs × ΔVout)
Critical inductance: Lcrit = D × (1 - D)² × R / (2 × fs)
These equations provide engineering estimates for sizing and stress checks. Real designs should also consider ESR, switching losses, core losses, transient response, controller behavior, and component derating.
A boost converter increases a lower DC input voltage to a higher DC output voltage. It stores energy in an inductor during switch on-time and releases it to the load during off-time.
Duty cycle controls how long the switch stays on during each cycle. Higher duty cycles generally raise the output voltage, but they also increase current stress and design sensitivity.
Real converters include diode drops, switch losses, ESR, inductor resistance, dead time, and control losses. Ideal formulas are useful for estimates, but practical design always needs margin.
Inductor ripple current is the change in inductor current within one switching cycle. It affects peak current, thermal stress, efficiency, and whether the converter remains in continuous conduction.
Higher frequency can reduce inductor and capacitor size, but it often increases switching losses and EMI. Choose a value that balances size, efficiency, thermal limits, and controller capability.
CCM means inductor current never reaches zero during normal operation. DCM means it does. This changes gain behavior, stress, control response, and component selection assumptions.
Semiconductors must survive both voltage and current stress with proper safety margin. Underestimating these values can cause overheating, reduced lifetime, or immediate device failure.
This tool is best for preliminary engineering calculations. Final hardware should still be verified with datasheets, thermal modeling, control-loop analysis, PCB parasitics, and laboratory testing.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.