Low Cost and Optimized FPGA-HIL Real Time Simulation of a Boost Converter Powered by a Photovoltaic Panel

This paper presents the development, analysis and testing of a dynamic model for a boost converter powered by a photovoltaic panel. The mathematical model of the panel is presented and a strategy is proposed to integrate its nonlinear dynamics into the dynamic model of the boost converter. Emphasis is placed on the dynamic behavior, leaving the modeling of the effects of parasitic losses inherent to electronic devices for a future study. A discrete model that is feasible to implement in an FPGA to achieve HIL simulation in real time is shown. An optimized strategy of implementation of nonlinear functions implemented in lookup tables is presented. That strategy allows optimizing the resolution without affecting the calculation latency. A latency analysis of the calculation of the model states is also included where a time of 100ns is established for each simulation step. This latency time is sufficient for real-time simulations. Finally, comparisons of results with a software-based simulator to validates the proposed model are shown.