In applications such as control of DC motor speed, the input voltage remains constant and the output voltage is controlled by adjusting the duty ratio. In this applet the buck converter either operates in continuous or discontinuous current mode depending on the duty cycle and frequency. Discontinuous conduction is when the inductor current is zero.

• Change the red time line to examine discontinuous current conduction mode.
• Adjust the duty cycle to move the operating point in and out of discontinuous conduction mode.
• Adjust the switching frequency and see the influence it has on the operating mode.