Automated optimization of generalized model predictive control for DC-DC converters

Generalized Predictive Control (GPC) offers a method of designing digital compensators directly in the discrete time domain. In this paper, an automatic design process based on the optimization of a few GPC parameters is presented. The application to DC-DC converters offers real benefits because of its clearly defined design process, time-domain performance criteria, simple tuning technique and guarantee of stability. For practical applications, the guarantee of stability may not be sufficient, certain performance criteria must also be achieved. In this design process, a performance index is used in the optimization routine to quantify specific performance objectives. A novel performance index is presented which weights performance and robustness for a more optimized compensator design. For illustration purposes an optimal GPC compensator is designed and tested for a buck converter. The resulting compensator is critically assessed in simulation and validated with experimental hardware.