TL494 buck converter 2c eng 2025 Milan en Cas

Buck Converter Class Project

For our electronics class project, we designed and built a Buck Converter — a type of DC-DC converter used to step down voltage efficiently. The main goal of this project was to understand the principles of switching regulators and apply them in a real-world circuit.

A Buck Converter reduces a higher DC input voltage to a lower DC output voltage using a combination of a switch (typically a transistor), a diode, an inductor, and a capacitor. Unlike linear regulators, which dissipate excess voltage as heat, a Buck Converter transfers energy efficiently through switching and energy storage elements, making it ideal for battery-powered devices and power supply circuits.

In our project, we designed the circuit to convert 12V down to 5V, which is a common voltage level for powering microcontrollers and USB devices. We used a MOSFET as the switching element, a Schottky diode for fast switching, and carefully selected the inductor and capacitor values to minimize voltage ripple and ensure stable output.

The project involved both theoretical calculations and practical testing. We calculated the duty cycle based on the input and output voltages, selected appropriate components, and then simulated the circuit using software before building it on a breadboard. After assembling the circuit, we tested the output voltage under different load conditions to evaluate efficiency and stability.

This project helped us understand the operation of switching power supplies, including concepts such as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), energy storage in inductors, and voltage regulation. It also improved our skills in circuit design, component selection, and troubleshooting.

Overall, the Buck Converter class project was a valuable learning experience that combined theoretical knowledge with hands-on electronics work, and it provided a strong foundation for more advanced power electronics applications in the future.