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A monolithic digitally controlled ripple-based DC-DC converter with digital inductor current sensor

  • Man Pun Chan
  • , Philip K.T. Mok

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference Proceeding/ReportConference Paper published in a bookpeer-review

Abstract

A ripple-based control scheme for DC-DC converters is presented which can fast load-transient responses by sensing inductor current and using it as feedback ripples. Conventionally, analog RC inductor current sensors can be used for that purpose. However, the RC passive components are too bulky to integrate on-chip, and digital controllers cannot use the analog ripples for the control purpose unless extra ADCs are available to quantize them. Therefore, this paper proposes a digital inductor current sensor that does not require the extra ADCs and occupies a small chip area. A ripple-based digital controller has been implemented to demonstrate how the digital sensor can be utilized. Both the digital sensor and controller are fully synthesizable with a UMC 0.13-μm digital CMOS process. Their total chip areas are 220μm×220μm. Measurements results show that a 2MHz buck converter achieves load-transient responses of 10μs by using the digital controller. The peak efficiency is 91% at 100mA of the loading current.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the IEEE 2013 Custom Integrated Circuits Conference, CICC 2013
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781467361460
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Nov 2013
Event35th Annual Custom Integrated Circuits Conference - The Showcase for Circuit Design in the Heart of Silicon Valley, CICC 2013 - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: 22 Sept 201325 Sept 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Custom Integrated Circuits Conference
ISSN (Print)0886-5930

Conference

Conference35th Annual Custom Integrated Circuits Conference - The Showcase for Circuit Design in the Heart of Silicon Valley, CICC 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period22/09/1325/09/13

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