• Journal of Semiconductors
  • Vol. 41, Issue 11, 112402 (2020)
Lin Cheng1, Kui Tang1, Wang-Hung Ki2, and Feng Su3
Author Affiliations
  • 1University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230024, China
  • 2Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
  • 3Broadcom Limited, San Jose, US
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    DOI: 10.1088/1674-4926/41/11/112402 Cite this Article
    Lin Cheng, Kui Tang, Wang-Hung Ki, Feng Su. Fast-transient techniques for high-frequency DC–DC converters[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2020, 41(11): 112402 Copy Citation Text show less
    (Color online) Transient-enhanced techniques for PWM control.
    Fig. 1. (Color online) Transient-enhanced techniques for PWM control.
    (Color online) Techniques to overcome the limitation of slew rate of the inductor current (SRL): (a) increasing switching frequency, (b) multiphase topology, (c) hybrid scheme.
    Fig. 2. (Color online) Techniques to overcome the limitation of slew rate of the inductor current (SRL): (a) increasing switching frequency, (b) multiphase topology, (c) hybrid scheme.
    Block diagram of the proposed buck converter.
    Fig. 3. Block diagram of the proposed buck converter.
    (a) Previous DDA-based Type-III compensator. (b) Possible improvement on the previous compensator. (c) New DDA-based Type-III compensator.
    Fig. 4. (a) Previous DDA-based Type-III compensator. (b) Possible improvement on the previous compensator. (c) New DDA-based Type-III compensator.
    Schematic of differential difference amplifier (DDA).
    Fig. 5. Schematic of differential difference amplifier (DDA).
    Simulated frequency responses of (a) the two DDA-based Type-III compensators, (b) the loop-gain functions of the converters with the two compensators, and (c) the transfer functions from Vfb to VGm of the two compensators.
    Fig. 6. Simulated frequency responses of (a) the two DDA-based Type-III compensators, (b) the loop-gain functions of the converters with the two compensators, and (c) the transfer functions from Vfb to VGm of the two compensators.
    Simulated transient responses. (a) Up-transient. (b) Down-transient.
    Fig. 7. Simulated transient responses. (a) Up-transient. (b) Down-transient.
    Simulated frequency responses with PVT variations: (a) proposed Type-III compensator, and (b) loop gain function.
    Fig. 8. Simulated frequency responses with PVT variations: (a) proposed Type-III compensator, and (b) loop gain function.
    Simulated transient responses of the proposed converter. (a) Up transient. (b) Down-transient.
    Fig. 9. Simulated transient responses of the proposed converter. (a) Up transient. (b) Down-transient.
    Schematic of the accurate ramp generator.
    Fig. 10. Schematic of the accurate ramp generator.
    (Color online) The proposed hybrid scheme: (a) simplified schematic, (b) working principle.
    Fig. 11. (Color online) The proposed hybrid scheme: (a) simplified schematic, (b) working principle.
    (Color online) Transient responses of the proposed converter (a) with PWM control only, (b) with the hybrid scheme.
    Fig. 12. (Color online) Transient responses of the proposed converter (a) with PWM control only, (b) with the hybrid scheme.
    The detailed implementation of undershoot reduction branch circuit.
    Fig. 13. The detailed implementation of undershoot reduction branch circuit.
    (Color online) Simulated waveforms of the proposed hybrid scheme during an up transient.
    Fig. 14. (Color online) Simulated waveforms of the proposed hybrid scheme during an up transient.
    (Color online) Simulated transient responses of the proposed hybrid scheme.
    Fig. 15. (Color online) Simulated transient responses of the proposed hybrid scheme.
    (Color online) Chip micrograph.
    Fig. 16. (Color online) Chip micrograph.
    (Color online) Measured steady-state waveforms when (a) Io = 1 A (CCM), (b) Io = 24 mA (DCM).
    Fig. 17. (Color online) Measured steady-state waveforms when (a) Io = 1 A (CCM), (b) Io = 24 mA (DCM).
    (Color online) Measured power conversion efficiencies at different Vo.
    Fig. 18. (Color online) Measured power conversion efficiencies at different Vo.
    (Color online) Measured load-transient responses of the converter.
    Fig. 19. (Color online) Measured load-transient responses of the converter.
    (Color online) Measured load-transient responses of the converter with and without the proposed hybrid scheme.
    Fig. 20. (Color online) Measured load-transient responses of the converter with and without the proposed hybrid scheme.
    Parameter2012[28]2014[20]2015[24]2015[22]2016[13]2017[11]This work[32]
    *Droop voltage is less than 1%.
    Technology (µm) 0.130.180.0650.350.180.350.13
    Switching frequency (MHz)104030130130
    Inductor (nH)100078 × 490 × 44700220 × 4470090
    Capacitor (µF) 10.47 × 20.47100.622.20.47 × 2
    Nominal Vg (V) 3.73.31.83.73.33.33.3
    Nominal Vo (V) 1.21.21.521.81.81.8
    Peak efficiency (%)84.5(@Vo= 1.2 V) 86.1(@Vo= 1.6 V) 87(@Vo=1 V) 95.5(@Vo=2 V) 86.5(@Vo= 2.5 V) 91.9(@Vo= 2.5 V) 90.7/88/83.6(@Vo= 2.4/1.8/1.2 V)
    Control schemeVoltage-mode+HybridZDS Hysteretic Voltage-modeQuasi current-mode hystereticCurrent-mode+ CCS/LTO Voltage-modeVoltage-mode onlyVoltage-mode+ Hybrid
    Up-transientIo step (A) (rise time (ns)) 0.3 (20)5 (5) [4 phases] 0.4 (10) [4 phases] 0.4 (10)1.8 (5) [4 phases] 0.27 (NA)1.25 (2)/0.62 (2)
    Vo droop (mV) (% of Vo) 55 (4.6)118 (9.8)80 (5.33)35 (1.75)100 (5.6)1972/33 (4/1.83)36/12 (2/0.67)
    1% settling time (ns) 150023060048001331200220/150125/0*
    Table 1. Performance comparison with previously published works.
    Lin Cheng, Kui Tang, Wang-Hung Ki, Feng Su. Fast-transient techniques for high-frequency DC–DC converters[J]. Journal of Semiconductors, 2020, 41(11): 112402
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