Proteus-designed Simulation of a Boost
Converter Circuit with Pulse Generation by
a PIC16F877A Microcontroller
Author: Andrew Mbusi
Registration Number: AP21110040013
November 30, 2024
Abstract
This project designs and simulates a closed-loop Boost converter using Proteus and a
PIC16F877A. A microcontroller generates PWM signals to control a MOSFET switch.
Proteus simulations verify the system’s performance and accurate duty cycle adjustment.
Future work will optimize the control algorithm and explore real-world applications.
Summary
This document presents the design and simulation of a closed-loop Boost converter using
Proteus, with a focus on PWM signal generation by the PIC16F877A microcontroller.
The project demonstrates advancements over previous MATLAB Simulink-based designs
by integrating a hardware-oriented approach for precise duty cycle control.
Circuit Diagram and Working
The Boost converter operates as a step-up DC-DC converter, integrating:
• A MOSFET for high-speed switching.
• An inductor-capacitor network for energy storage and voltage smoothing.
• A PIC16F877A microcontroller generating PWM signals to control the MOSFET’s
duty cycle.
• A PID controller implemented on the microcontroller to adjust the PWM duty cycle
based on output feedback.
The PIC16F877A’s internal PWM module is configured for pulse generation, with the
duty cycle adjusted dynamically in response to load variations. Figure 1 illustrates the
simulated circuit.
1 Proteus-designed Simulation
The simulation focuses on a closed-loop Boost converter controlled by a PIC16F877A
microcontroller. The microcontroller generates PWM signals to regulate the MOSFET
switch, ensuring stable output voltage. Figure 2 shows the designed circuit in Proteus.
The workflow integrates hardware components and real-time feedback.
Pulse Generation with PIC16F877A
The PIC16F877A microcontroller’s PWM module is configured as follows:
• Timer2 is used to set the PWM frequency.
• The duty cycle is adjusted by writing to the ‘CCPR1L‘ register and the ‘CCP1CON‘
bits.
• Feedback from the output voltage is processed by the microcontroller’s ADC, which
adjusts the PWM duty cycle in real-time using a PID control algorithm.
This setup ensures accurate control of the MOSFET switching, critical for maintaining a
stable Boost converter output.
1
Figure 1: Circuit Diagram simulated in Proteus.
Results Discussion
The simulation results confirm the system’s ability to maintain regulated output voltage
under varying load conditions. The PWM signals generated by the PIC16F877A demon-
strate precise control of the MOSFET’s duty cycle, emphasizing the role of closed-loop
feedback in improving stability and efficiency.
Figure 2: Proteus simulation of the closed-loop Boost converter.
Conclusion
The Proteus-based simulation highlights the effectiveness of using the PIC16F877A mi-
crocontroller for pulse generation and duty cycle control in a Boost converter. This
approach extends the capabilities of MATLAB Simulink-based designs by incorporating
practical microcontroller applications. Future work will focus on optimizing the control
algorithm, enhancing system efficiency, and exploring real-world applications.
