Design of a Fully Integrated Three-Level Buck Converter

Dynamic response of a converter plays an important role in many applications which change load in a rapid manner, especially in POL (Point of load) applicant ions. Here a new method for improving the dynamic response of a converter is presented. Here separate control schemes are implemented during steady state as well as transient load conditions. A three level buck converter topology with fast transient response is discussed here. This topology does not require a soft start up circuitry for three level buck converters. Simulation model is done in Matlab/Simulink and the result shows a great improvement in dynamic response of the system. The 3-level converter enables smaller inductors (1 NH) than a buck, while generating a wide range of output voltages compared to a 1/2 mode capacitor converter. The test-chip prototype delivers up to 0.85 a load current while generating output voltages from 0.4 to 1.4 V from a 2.4 V input supply. It achieves 77% peak efficiency at power density of 0.1 W/mm and 63% efficiency at maximum power density of 0.3 W/mm.