EE6378 Power Management Circuits

Chapter
p 4: Switch Mode Power Converters

I t
Instructor:
t Prof.
P f Hoi
H iL
Lee

Mixed Signal & Power IC Laboratory

Mixed-Signal
Department of Electrical Engineering
The University of Texas at Dallas

Switching Converter

In a switching converter circuit, different from the linear

regulator the transistor operates as an electronic switch
regulator,
by being completely ON or completely OFF. This circuit
is also known as a dc chopper. Different researchers use
different names for this converter topology
topology, some of
them are: switched mode power converters, switch mode
power supplies and switching regulators. In this course,
we use switch mode power converters (SMPCs). (SMPCs)

In order to improve the efficiency, converter with only

l
lossless
l components should
h ld b be used.
d Th
These iinclude
l d
inductors, capacitors, and switches.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 2

 Ideal Switching Converter

For an ideal switch, power consumption

is zero, in both the ON (switch closed)
and OFF (switch open) stages
PowerON = VSW ISW = 0(ISW) = 0
PowerOFF = VSW ISW = VSW(0) = 0

Recall: average absorbed power by

inductor and capacitor for steady-state
periodic
i di operation
ti is
i 0

Theoretically ideal switching converter

is a lossless system

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 3

Basic Switching Converter

Fig. 2 shows a basic switching converter
with an ideal switch. The output is the
same as the input when the switch is
closed,, and the output
p is zero when the
switch is open. Periodic opening and
closing of the switch results in the pulse
output and the average or dc component 1 T 1 DT
T T
Vo = 0 vo (t ) dt = 0 Vs dt = DVs
of the output
p is

1 T 1 DT
Vo = 0 v o (t )dt = 0 Vs dt = DVs
T T
The dc component of the output is then
controlled by the duty cycle D, which is
the fraction of the period that the switch is
closed:

ton t
D = on = tonf , where f is the switching frequency in Herz
ton + toff T

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 4

 Buck Converter (1)

By adjusting the duty cycle D, the

load will have an average output
voltage
l VsD.
D H
However, most off
electronic loads require a
continuous and steady output
voltage as shown in Fig
Fig. 3(a)
3(a).
However, problem occurs when the
switch is OFF. The inductor current
cannot change instantaneously and
a very high voltage spike will
generate across the switch and will
cause a spark
p across the switch.
So, a second switch as shown in
Fig. 3(b) is needed to make a
functional switching converter.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 5

Buck Converter (2)

The operation of the converter is as follows:

State 1: S1 is ON and S2 is OFF
vL = Vs Vo iL ramps up
State 2: S2 is ON and S1 is OFF
vL = 0 Vo iL ramps down
S1, S2 L and C are all lossless elements
no energy loss (theoretically)
= 1 can be achieved
Since the switching converter consists of 2 reactive elements, the inductor
L and the capacitor C, it is known as a second-order converter.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 6

 Steady State Analysis (1)
Equivalent Buck Circuit at States 1 & 2

Buck Implementation Inductor Current

vx = Vs (switch closed)
vx = 0 (switch open)

CCM = continuous conduction mode: inductor current iL remains positive

all the time.
DCM = discontinuous conduction mode: when the load current decreases,
the inductor current will fall to zero before the switch close again.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 7

Steady State Analysis (2)

The buck converter has the following properties in steady state

The inductor current is periodic: iL(t+T) = iL(t)
1 t +T
Th average inductor
The i d t voltage
lt is
i zero VL = d =0
t v L ( x )dx
T

The average capacitor current is zero 1 t +T

IC = t iC ( x )dx = 0
T
The power supplied by the source = the power delivered to the load. For ideal
components: Ps = Po and for non-ideal components: Ps = Po + losses

Following assumptions should be made before analyzing the buck converter:

The circuit is operating in steady state. i.e. steady-state analysis

The inductor current is continuous and always positive. i.e. CCM operation

The capacitor is very large and output voltage is held constant at Vo. Io=Vo/R

The component is ideal. i.e. Ps = Po

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 8

 Steady-State Analysis (2)
When the switch is closed, the diode is reverse biased & the voltage
across the inductor is
di L di V Vo
v L = Vs Vo = L or L = s
dt dt L
The derivative of the inductor current is positive the current
increases linearly
diL i L Vs Vo V Vo
= = or ( i L )closed = ( s )DT
dt DT L L

When the switch is open

open, the diode becomes forward biased and the
voltage across the inductor is
di L di Vo
v L = Vo = L or L =
dt dt L
The derivative of the inductor current is negative the current
decreases linearly
diL i L Vo V
= = or ( i L )open = ( o )(1 D )T
dt (1 D )T L L
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 9

Steady-State Analysis (3)

In the steady state, the net inductor current = 0. i.e.( i L )closed + (i L )open = 0
V Vo V
or ( s )DT ( o )(1 D )T = 0
L L

Solving for Vo gives Vo = VsD which is expected.

As D < 1,, the buck converter can onlyy produce

p an output
p which is less than
or equal to the input.

Output voltage only depends on the input voltage. If the input voltage
fluctuates, the output voltage can be regulated by adjusting the duty ratio
appropriately.

An alternative derivation using volt-second balance equation

(conservation of flux in inductor): average inductor voltage is zero for
periodic operation. i.e. VL = (Vs-Vo)DT+(-Vo)(1-D)T=0 Vo = DVs.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 10

 Inductor Value (1)

Since the average current of the capacitor is zero, the average current
of the inductor is the same as the average current of the load. i.e.
IL=Io=Vo/R.

Now the change of the inductor current or the inductor ripple:

Vo V
iL =| ( iL )closed
l d |=| ( iL )open |= (1 D)T = o t offff
L L

The maximum & minimum inductor current can be computed as

i L Vo 1 Vo 1 1 D
IL max = IL + = + [ (1 D )T ] = Vo [ + ]
2 R 2 L R 2Lf

i L Vo 1 Vo 1 1 D
IL min = IL = [ (1 D )T ] = Vo [ ]
2 R 2 L R 2Lf

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 11

Inductor Current (2)

Since the inductor current is always positive (CCM)

(CCM). To satisfy
ILmin must be greater than 0

1 1 D (1 D )R
> 0 or Lf >
R 2Lf 2

The minimum inductance value required for CCM operation is

(1 D )R
Lmin >
2f

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 12

 Buck Converter: Output Voltage Ripple

In the preceding analysis, we assume the capacitor is very large to keep the
output voltage to a constant value. However, in practice, the output voltage
cannot be kept perfectly constant with a finite capacitor value. The variation
of the output voltage vr (known as ripple voltage) can be computed from the
voltage-current relationship of the capacitor
The capacitor current: iC = iL iR (positive current capacitor is charging)
Ri l voltage
Ripple lt is
i calculated
l l t d as follows:
f ll
Q
Vo =
C
1 T i L Ti L
Q = ( )( )=
2 2 2 8
Ti L T Vo V (1 D )
Vo = v r = = (1 D )T = o
8C 8C L 8LCfs2

It should be noted that vr is the peak-to-peak voltage @ output

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 13

Buck Converter: Waveforms (1)

Vsat is the voltage across the switch when the switch is closed.
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 14
 Buck Converter: Waveforms (2)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 15

Buck Converter: Design Considerations

When fs increases, both Lmin for producing CCM

operation and C for limiting the output ripple decrease.
Therefore, higher switching frequency is desirable to
reduce L and C values.

The tradeoff of increasing fs is the increased gate drive

loss associated with switching the power transistors.

The inductor wire must be rated at the rms current and

th core should
the h ld nott saturate
t t for
f peakk inductor
i d t current.t
The capacitor must be selected to withstand peak output
voltage and to carry the required rms current

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 16

 Boost Converter

A boost converter is shown below. It is called a boost

converter because the output voltage is higher than the
input
p

When the switch is ON, inductor current increases. When

the switch is OFF, inductor current decreases and
charges up the capacitor
capacitor. In that time
time, voltage at node A
must be greater than Vs for decreasing the inductor
current. Assume voltage across the diode is zero, Vo > Vs

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 17

Boost Converter: Steady-State Analysis (1)

When the switch is closed, the inductor current increases

diL di V
v L = Vs = L or L = s
dt dt L
The derivative of the inductor current is positive the current
increases linearly
diL i L Vs V
= = i L )closed = ( s )DT
or ((
dt DT L L
When the switch is open, the inductor current cannot change instantly
and the diode becomes forward biased for inductor current. The voltage
across inductor:
diL di V Vo
v L = Vs Vo = L or L = s
dt dt L
The derivative of the current is constant the current changes
linearly when the switch is open. The change in inductor current:
diL i L V Vo V Vo
= = s or ( i L )open = ( s )(1 D)T
dt (1 D )T L L
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 18
 Boost Converter: Steady-State Analysis (2)

In steady state, the net inductor current = 0. i.e.( i L )closed + ( i L )open = 0

V V Vo
or ( s )DT + ( s )(1 D )T = 0
L L
Solving for Vo gives Vo = Vs/(1-D)

If the switch is open

p and D is zero,, the output
p is the same as the input.
p As
D increases, the denominator becomes smaller and the output becomes
larger than the input. i.e. the boost converter can only produce an output
voltage higher than or equal to the input voltage

As D approaches to 1, the output voltage goes to infinity according to the

equation. However, it is not the case for non-ideal components and this will
be discussed later

An alternative derivation using volt-second balance equation

(conservation of flux in inductor): average inductor voltage is zero for
periodic operation. i.e. VL = (Vs)DT+(Vs-Vo)(1-D)T=0 Vo = Vs/(1-D)
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 19

Boost Converter: Inductor Value (1)

Now the inductor current IL is not the same as the load current. In fact,
IL is the source current Is. Since the input power equals to the output
power, Ps = VsIs = VsIL and Po = Vo2/R, the inductor current can be
computed as
Vs 2
Vo2 ( 1 D ) Vs
VsIL = = or IL =
R R (1 D )2 R

The maximum & minimum inductor current can be computed as

i L Vs 1 V 1 D
IL max = IL + = + [ s DT ] = Vs [ + ]
2 (1 D )2 R 2 L (1 D )2 R 2Lf
i L Vs 1 V 1 D
IL min = IL = [ s DT ] = Vs [ ]
2 (1 D )2 R 2 L (1 D )2 R 2Lf

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 20

 Boost Converter: Inductor Value (2)

Since the inductor current is always positive (CCM)

(CCM). To satisfy
ILmin must be greater than 0
Vs V DT
IL min = 0 = - s
(1 D )2 R 2L

The minimum inductance value required for CCM operation is

D(1 D )2 R
Lmin =
2f

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 21

Boost Converter: Output Voltage Ripple

Similar to the buck converter, the output voltage cannot be kept perfectly
constant with a finite capacitor value. The ripple voltage vr can be computed
as follow
Wh the
When th switch
it h is
i closed,
l d the
th capacitor
it iis di
discharged
h db
by th
the lload
d current:
t

V
iC = Io = o
R
The change in capacitor charge can be calculated from

V
| Q |= ( o )DT = CVo
R
The ripple voltage is given as

| Q | Vo DT
Vo = v r = =
C RC
It should be noted that fs >> 1/RC where RC is the time constant of the output

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 22

 Boost Converter: Waveforms (1)

Vo-Vsat

+
vSW
-

Vsat is the voltage across the switch when the switch is closed.
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 23

Boost Converter: Waveforms (2)

+
vSW
-

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 24

 Flyback (Buck-Boost) Converter

A flyback converter is shown below. It is also called as

buck-boost converter because the output voltage can be
either higher or lower than the input

When the switch is ON, inductor current increases.

Wh th
When the switch
it h iis OFF
OFF, the
th inductor
i d t currentt decreases
d
and discharges the capacitor (draws current from the top
plate)) and thus the output
p p voltageg is negative
g

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 25

Flyback Converter: Steady-State Analysis (1)

When the switch is closed, the inductor current increases

diL di V
v L = Vs = L or L = s
dt dt L
The derivative of the inductor current is positive the current
increases linearly
diL i L Vs V
= = i L )closed = ( s )DT
or ((
dt DT L L
When the switch is open, assuming the voltage drop across the diode is
zero, then the voltage across the inductor is
di L di V
v L = Vo = L or L = o
dt dt L
The derivative of the current is constant the current changes
linearly. However, we know the current must be decreasing (Vo is
negative), The change in inductor current is
diL i L V V
= = o or ( i L )open = ( o )(1 D )T
dt (1 D )T L L
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 26
 Flyback Converter: Steady-State Analysis (2)

In steady state, the net inductor current = 0. i.e. ( i L )closed + ( i L )open = 0

V V
or ( s )DT + ( o )(1 D )T = 0
L L
Solving for Vo gives Vo = -VsD/(1-D)

The output
p voltage
g has opposite
pp p
polarity
y from the source voltage
g

The output voltage of the buck-boost converter can be less than or greater
than the source voltage, depending on the duty ratio of the switch. If D>0.5,
the output is larger than the input, and if D<0.5, the output is smaller than
the input. Thus this topology combines the capabilities of buck (step-down)
and boost (step-up) converters.

An alternative derivation using volt-second balance equation

(conservation of flux in inductor): average inductor voltage is zero for
periodic operation. i.e. VL = (Vs)DT
)DT+(V
(Vo)(1 D)T 0 Vo = -V
)(1-D)T=0 VsD/(1
D/(1-D)
D)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 27

Flyback Converter: Inductor Value

In order to find the inductor current IL, we use the same ideal that the
input power equals to the output power, Ps = VsIs = VoIo and Po =
Vo2/R, the inductor current can be computed as

Vs D 2
Vo2 ( 1 D ) Vs D
VsIL = = or IL = Note: Is = DIL
DR DR (1 D )2 R
The maximum & minimum inductor current can be computed as

i L Vs D 1 V 1 1
IL max = IL + = + [ s DT ] = DVs [ + ]
2 (1 D )2 R 2 L (1 D )2 R 2Lf
iL DVs 1 V 1 1
IL min = IL = [ s DT] = DVs [ ]
2 2 2 L 2 2Lf
(1 D) R (1 D) R

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 28

 Flyback Converter: Inductor Value (2)

For CCM operation,

operation ILmin
L i must be greater than 0

Vs D V DT
IL min = 0 = - s
(1 D )2 R 2L
The minimum inductance value required for CCM operation is

(1 D )2 R
Lmin =
2f

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 29

Flyback Converter: Output Voltage Ripple

Similar to the boost converter, the capacitor current has two sections. When
the switch is closed, the capacitor is charged by the load current and when
the switch is open, the capacitor is discharged by the inductor current. Please
note the sign and direction of the capacitor voltage and output voltage
When the switch is closed, the capacitor is discharged by the load current:
V
iC = IL = o
R
The change in capacitor charge can be calculated from
V
| Q |= ( o )DT = CVo
R
Th ripple
The i l voltage
lt iis given
i as

| Q | Vo DT
Vo = v r = =
C RC

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 30

 Flyback Converter: Waveforms (1)
vSW=V
Vs-(V
(Vo+vD)=V
) Vs-(V
(Vo-V
VD)

Vsat is the voltage across the switch when the switch is closed.
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 31

Flyback Converter: Waveforms (2)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 32

 Summary

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 33

Non-Ideal Effects: Switch Voltage Drop (1)

All the previous calculations assume that the switches and diodes are
ideal. However, the voltage drop across the conducting transistors and
diodes may have a significant effect on the performance of the converter,
particular for low-voltage
low voltage converters
A buck converter is used here as an example to illustrate this effect. With
non-zero voltage drop across the conducting transistor, the voltage across
the inductor with the closed switch is g
given by
y
v L = Vs Vo VQ where VQ is the voltage drop across the conducting transistor

With the switch open,

v L = Vo VD where VD is the voltage drop across the conducting diode

By volt
volt-second
second balance: (Vs Vo VQ )D + ( Vo VD )(1 D ) = 0
Vo = Vs D VQ D VD (1 D ) < DVs
Vo + VD V
D= > o i.e.
i e a larger D is expected
Vs VQ + VD Vs
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 34
 Non-Ideal Effects: Switch Voltage Drop (2)

For example: For Vs = 3.6V

3 6V and Vo = 1.8V
1 8V with VQ = 0.3V
0 3V
and VD =0.7V
In ideal case: D = 1.8/3.6 = 0.5
In non-ideal case, D = (1.8+0.7)/(1.8-0.3+0.7) = 62.5%
If D is kept at 0.5, the output voltage is Vo = 3.6(0.5) 0.3(0.5)
0.7(0.5)
( ) = 1.3V
The conversion ratio between Vo and Vs has been reduced due to
the switch voltage drop. This can decrease the power efficiency of
the converter.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 35

Non-Ideal Effects: ESR Effect on Ripple Voltage

ESR may have a significant effect on the output voltage

ripple, often producing a ripple greater than that ripple
due to the finite output capacitor value
value. The ripple due to
ESR Vo,ESR can be approximated by first determining
the capacitor current, assuming the capacitor is ideal.
F buck
For b k converter t iin CCM,
CCM
Vo,ESR = iC rC, where rC is the ESR value
To estimate the worst-case condition,
condition we can assume
the peak-to-peak ripple voltage due to the ESR
algebraically adds up to the ripple due to the finite
capacitance.
it However,
H the
th peaks
k off these
th two
t ripples
i l
are in fact not in phase, so
Vo < Vo,C
o C + Vo,ESR
o ESR

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 36

 Non-Ideal Effects: Switching Losses

In addition to the on-state voltage drop when the switch is on, extra losses
occur during the switching. Below shows the transition of the voltage and
current waveform during switching. As the semiconductor switch cannot
turn on and turn
turn-on turn-off
off instantaneously,
instantaneously energy loss in one switching transition
is the area under the power curve. The worst case is when the current and
voltage transitions do not occur simultaneously (Right diagram). Since the
g p
average power is the energy
gy divided by
y the p
period, higher
g switching
g
frequencies result in higher switching power loss. One way to reduce
switching is to modify the circuit to make switching occur at zero voltage or
zero current. This refers to zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-current
switching (ZCS) in resonant converters
converters.

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 37

Non-Ideal Effects: Inductor Resistance of Boost

Converter (1)

The effect on output voltage of the boost converter

Ps = Po + PrL or VsIL = VoID + IL2rL , where rL is the series resistance of the inductor

ID V /R
Since IL = = o ,
1 D 1 D
Vo
Vs = Vo (1 D ) + ( )2 rL
R (1 D )

Vs 1 Vs
Solving for Vo , Vo = ( )( )<
1 D 1+ rL 1 D
R (1 D )2

Since the output voltage is always less than the ideal case.
case In fact
fact,
as D approaches to 1, Vo will not go to infinity, Instead, to be more
realistic, Vo approaches to zero based on the equation

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 38

 Non-Ideal Effects: Inductor Resistance of Boost
Converter (2)

The effect on efficiency

Po Po Vo2 / R 1
= = = =
Ps Po + Ploss Vo2 / R + IL2rL 1 + rL
R(1 D )2

As D increases, decreases and approaches to zero when D

approaches to 1

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 39

Case Study of a Buck Converter with Parasitics (1)

By volt-second balance,
D[Vs VrQ VrL(D ) Vo ] + (1 D )[ VrD VrL(1 D ) Vo ] = 0

DVs = DVrQ + DVrL(D ) + Vo + (1 D )VrD + (1 D )VrL(1 D )

Since VrQ = rQIL , VrD = rDIL , DVs can be rewritten as
DVs = DrQIL + rD (1 D )IL + rLIL + Vo
If the switch and diode have the same resistance, then
V D VI V I 1
DVs = (rQ + rL )IL + Vo or o = = o o = o L =
Vs r +r VsIs Vs DIL r +r
1+ Q L 1+ Q L
R R
EE6378 H. Lee pg. 40
 Case Study of a Buck Converter with Parasitics (2)

VoIo Vo IL 1
= = =
VsIs Vs DIL r +r
1+ Q L
R
As load current increases (R decreases), the efficiency decreases

The ESR does not contribute to the change in the output voltage
and efficiency, as the capacitor current is usually very small
compare with the load current

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 41

DCM Operation

What is DCM operation?

In the previous analysis, we assume the inductor current

is always positive. However, when the load current
d
decreases tto certain
t i extent,
t t ththe iinductor
d t currentt will ill go
to zero. As the diode can only conducts in one direction,
the inductor current cannot g go negative.
g In this case, the
assumption of continuous current operation in the
previous analysis cannot be used. A different analysis is
required for this discontinuous conduction mode
operation

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 42

 Buck Converter in DCM (1)

Vs=

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 43

Buck Converter in DCM (2)

If the diode is replaced by a bidirectional switch (e.g. an

nMOS transistor), the inductor current can actually go
negative and the converter still operates in CCM

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 44

 Buck Converter in DCM (3)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 45

Buck Converter in DCM (4)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 46

 Buck Converter in DCM (5)

The conversion ratio M = Vo/Vg :

M |CCM = D
2D 2 2L
M |DCM = = where K =
8L 4K RT
D + D2 + 1+ 1+
RT D2

The output voltage in DCM depends on

both the duty ratio and load current

For a given duty ratio,

ratio the output voltage is
greater for DCM operation than it would be
if the current were continuous

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 47

Buck Converter in DCM (6)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 48

 Boost Converter in DCM (1)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 49

Boost Converter in DCM (2)

K Kcrit for CCM operation

R Rcrit for CCM operation

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 50

 Boost Converter in DCM (3)

Th diagram
The di shows
h a ttypical
i l relationship
l ti hi
between output voltage and duty ratio for
the boost converter operates in CCM and
DCM with a constant load resistance R. As
the duty ratio for a given boost converter is
varied, the converter may go into and out of
the DCM operation

Note: for a constant R and Vs, the change in

duty ratio D will change the output voltage
and thus change the load current Io

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 51

Flyback Converter in DCM (1)

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 52

 Flyback Converter in DCM (2)

K Kcrit for CCM operation

R Rcrit for CCM operation

p

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 53

Flyback Converter in DCM (3)

Conversion Ratio:

The above diagram

g shows a typical
yp relationshipp
between output voltage and duty ratio for the flyback
converter operating in CCM and DCM with a constant
resistance R

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 54

 Summary

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 55

Discussions (1)
CCM operation
CC
To prevent the inductor current falls to zero during any part of the
switching cycle, the inductance has to be considerably larger than
i required
is i d with
ith th
the DCM operation
ti
Although the inductor current of buck, boost and flyback
converters in CCM operation is continuous, the current in the
converter output stage (i(i.e.
e diode current) in boost and flyback
converters is discontinuous. Therefore, the boost and flyback
converters are more difficult to filter than the buck converter
In open-loop control, the output does not depend on the load
resistance R. Hence the open-loop load regulation is very good
Vo depends on the input voltage Vs, so the open-loop line
regulation is poor
The large inductor required for CCM operation, together with the
filtering capacitor, constitutes a large second order delay in the
feedback control loop, resulting in poor closed-loop response

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 56

 Discussions (2)

DCM Operation
In DCM operation, the inductor current falls to zero in each cycle. This
results in high inductor current peaks, placing a very tough duty on the
switching transistor and the filtering capacitor, as well as the inductor
itself
As discussed before, when a buck, boost and flyback converter
operates in DCM
DCM, the output voltage depends on the load resistance R R.
Hence the open-loop load regulation is poor
As in the CCM operation, the output voltage depends on the input
voltage, so the open-loop
open loop line regulation in the DCM is also poor
The inductor starts each cycle with zero stored energy, it is possible for
the control circuit to obtain any energy level and hence output current
on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The inductor, therefore, has no effect on the
small-signal closed-loop characteristic, leaving only the capacitor as the
delay element in the loop. Therefore, converters operating in DCM are
very stable and have a very good closed-loop response

EE6378 H. Lee pg. 57