Robust nonlinear control of an isolated boost converter with voltage doubler for high-performance regulation and disturbance rejection

As modern power systems evolve towards greater performance, reliability, and energy efficiency, there is a growing need for advanced control strategies capable of handling complex converter dynamics and external disturbances. This paper addresses the voltage regulation challenge in isolated high-gain DC–DC power converters by proposing a topology that integrates an isolated boost converter with a voltage doubler. This combined structure enables high voltage conversion ratios while providing galvanic isolation, making it particularly suitable for applications such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial DC distribution networks. To achieve precise voltage regulation and improve dynamic performance, we develop and evaluate two robust nonlinear control strategies: an Adaptive Barrier Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Controller (AB-STSMC) and a Synergetic Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Controller (S-STSMC). These controllers are designed to mitigate the effects of parameter uncertainties, input disturbances, and nonlinear load behavior, while ensuring finite-time convergence and chattering-free operation. A comprehensive nonlinear model of the converter is established, and controller stability is rigorously analyzed using Lyapunov-based methods. The proposed controllers are validated through extensive simulations, which demonstrate their superior performance under various operating conditions, including step-load variations, input voltage fluctuations, and component drift. In addition to simulation results, Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) experiments are conducted using the Delfino LaunchPad F28379D to confirm the practical applicability of the proposed controllers. The HIL setup allows for real-time testing, providing critical insights into the controllers’ performance in a practical hardware environment. The results from these experiments validate that the proposed AB-STSMC and S-STSMC controllers outperform conventional PID and classical SMC methods, exhibiting faster settling times, improved steady-state accuracy, and enhanced robustness. This work underscores the viability of the proposed control strategies for high-performance, disturbance-resilient DC power conversion in next-generation energy systems. • Proposed AB-STSMC and S-STSMC ensuring finite-time convergence and chattering-free operation. • Achieved precise voltage regulation and superior dynamic response. • Mitigated parameter uncertainties, disturbances, and nonlinear load effects. • Validated performance through nonlinear modeling, Lyapunov stability, simulations and HIL experimentation. • Outperformed PID and classical SMC with faster settling, higher accuracy, and robustness.