BoostExplorer
Specification
This tab shows waveforms for the output voltage $V_{out}$, the inductor current $i_{L}$ and the switch voltage $v_{s}$.
This tab shows waveforms for switch and diode currents respectively. The sum of these currents sum form the inductor current $i_{L}=i_{S}+i_{D}$.
This tab shows four plots. The first plot shows the input energy $E_{in}$ and output energy $E_{out}$. The second plot shows the difference between the input and output energy $E_{in}-E_{out}$. The third plot shows the input energy $E_{in(cycle)}$ and output energy $E_{out(cycle)}$ per PWM cycle with the fourth plot providing the difference. When the start-up transient has subsided, and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle, a balance is established between the input and output energy so that $E_{in(cycle)}=E_{out(cycle)}$ and so the energy difference $E_{in(cycle)} - E_{out(cycle)} = 0$. Note - energy is calculated on a per cycle basis and although the plots appear to show continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
This tab shows the evolution of the PWM cycle initial conditions for $V_{out}$ and $i_{L}$, labelled as $V_{out}(0)$ and $i_L(0)$ respectively. The plots below shows the difference between the initial conditions of adjacent PWM cycles where the difference $\Delta V_{out}(0) = V_{out}([n]T_{pwm}) - V_{out}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) = i_{L}([n]T_{pwm}) - i_{L}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and where $n$ is an integer representing the cycle index. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the initial conditions of each subsequence are the same and so the differences $\Delta V_{out}(0) \to 0$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) \to 0$. Note - the initial condition are per cycle values and although the plot appear to be continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
This tab shows the inductor voltage waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $v_{L(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the volt-second product evaluated over a cycle is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt = 0$ and so $v_{L(mean)} = 0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
This tab shows the capacitor current waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $i_{C(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the net charge in and out of the capacitor is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt = 0$ and since charge is the integral of current this is equivalent to $i_{C(mean)}=0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
BoostExplorer is an education tool for exploring the start-up response of the boost (step-up) converter.
The user enters a Specification and then clicks the Plot button to generate waveforms that are displayed across several tabs. The waveforms can be magnified (zoomed) by holding the left mouse button and drawing a rectangle and then unmagnified by a double left click. Time and signal values can be displayed by hovering the mouse cursor over a waveform.
The Vout and iL tab shows waveforms for the output voltage $V_{out}$, the inductor current $i_{L}$ and the switch voltage $v_{s}$.
The iS and iD tab shows waveforms for switch and diode currents respectively. The sum of these currents sum form the inductor current $i_{L}=i_{S}+i_{D}$.
The Energy tab shows four plots. The first plot shows the input energy $E_{in}$ and output energy $E_{out}$. The second plot shows the difference between the input and output energy $E_{in}-E_{out}$. The third plot shows the input energy $E_{in(cycle)}$ and output energy $E_{out(cycle)}$ per PWM cycle with the fourth plot providing the difference. When the start-up transient has subsided, and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle, a balance is established between the input and output energy so that $E_{in(cycle)}=E_{out(cycle)}$ and so the energy difference $E_{in(cycle)} - E_{out(cycle)} = 0$. Note - energy is calculated on a per cycle basis and although the plots appear to show continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The Init Conds tab shows the evolution of the PWM cycle initial conditions for $V_{out}$ and $i_{L}$, labelled as $V_{out}(0)$ and $i_L(0)$ respectively. The plots below shows the difference between the initial conditions of adjacent PWM cycles where the difference $\Delta V_{out}(0) = V_{out}([n]T_{pwm}) - V_{out}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) = i_{L}([n]T_{pwm}) - i_{L}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and where $n$ is an integer representing the cycle index. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the initial conditions of each subsequence are the same and so the differences $\Delta V_{out}(0) \to 0$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) \to 0$. Note - the initial condition are per cycle values and although the plot appear to be continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The vL tab shows the inductor voltage waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $v_{L(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the volt-second product evaluated over a cycle is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt = 0$ and so $v_{L(mean)} = 0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The iC tab shows the capacitor current waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $i_{C(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the net charge in and out of the capacitor is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt = 0$ and since charge is the integral of current this is equivalent to $i_{C(mean)}=0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
Disclaimer
BoostExplorer is software for teaching buck converters. No warranty regarding the accuracy of the predictions made with this program are provided.
Copyright © 2026 Martin Foster. All Rights Reserved. Permission to copy, modify, and distribute this software without fee and without a signed licensing agreement is strictly prohibited. Any warranties including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. The software and accompanying documentation, if any, provided hereunder is provided "as is". No obligation to provide maintenance, support, updates, enhancements, or modifications is made.
For further information regarding BoostExplorer, licensing or to report a problem with the software then please contact the author using m.p.foster@sheffield.ac.uk
The user enters a Specification and then clicks the Plot button to generate waveforms that are displayed across several tabs. The waveforms can be magnified (zoomed) by holding the left mouse button and drawing a rectangle and then unmagnified by a double left click. Time and signal values can be displayed by hovering the mouse cursor over a waveform.
The Vout and iL tab shows waveforms for the output voltage $V_{out}$, the inductor current $i_{L}$ and the switch voltage $v_{s}$.
The iS and iD tab shows waveforms for switch and diode currents respectively. The sum of these currents sum form the inductor current $i_{L}=i_{S}+i_{D}$.
The Energy tab shows four plots. The first plot shows the input energy $E_{in}$ and output energy $E_{out}$. The second plot shows the difference between the input and output energy $E_{in}-E_{out}$. The third plot shows the input energy $E_{in(cycle)}$ and output energy $E_{out(cycle)}$ per PWM cycle with the fourth plot providing the difference. When the start-up transient has subsided, and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle, a balance is established between the input and output energy so that $E_{in(cycle)}=E_{out(cycle)}$ and so the energy difference $E_{in(cycle)} - E_{out(cycle)} = 0$. Note - energy is calculated on a per cycle basis and although the plots appear to show continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The Init Conds tab shows the evolution of the PWM cycle initial conditions for $V_{out}$ and $i_{L}$, labelled as $V_{out}(0)$ and $i_L(0)$ respectively. The plots below shows the difference between the initial conditions of adjacent PWM cycles where the difference $\Delta V_{out}(0) = V_{out}([n]T_{pwm}) - V_{out}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) = i_{L}([n]T_{pwm}) - i_{L}([n-1]T_{pwm}))$ and where $n$ is an integer representing the cycle index. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the initial conditions of each subsequence are the same and so the differences $\Delta V_{out}(0) \to 0$ and $\Delta i_{L}(0) \to 0$. Note - the initial condition are per cycle values and although the plot appear to be continuous lines they are in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The vL tab shows the inductor voltage waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $v_{L(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the volt-second product evaluated over a cycle is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} v_{L}(t) \, dt = 0$ and so $v_{L(mean)} = 0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
The iC tab shows the capacitor current waveform. The plot below shows the cycle average (mean), $i_{C(mean)}=\frac{1}{T_{pwm}} \int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt$. When the start-up transient has subsided and the converter is operating in a repeating cycle the net charge in and out of the capacitor is zero $\int_{0}^{T_{pwm}} i_{C}(t) \, dt = 0$ and since charge is the integral of current this is equivalent to $i_{C(mean)}=0$. Note - the mean value is evaluated every cycle and although the plot appears to be continuous lines it is in fact constructed from discrete values evaluated every $T_{pwm}=\frac{1}{f_{pwm}}$.
Disclaimer
BoostExplorer is software for teaching buck converters. No warranty regarding the accuracy of the predictions made with this program are provided.
Copyright © 2026 Martin Foster. All Rights Reserved. Permission to copy, modify, and distribute this software without fee and without a signed licensing agreement is strictly prohibited. Any warranties including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. The software and accompanying documentation, if any, provided hereunder is provided "as is". No obligation to provide maintenance, support, updates, enhancements, or modifications is made.
For further information regarding BoostExplorer, licensing or to report a problem with the software then please contact the author using m.p.foster@sheffield.ac.uk