Power inductors are a hindrance to the miniaturization of switching dc-dc converters. This work focuses on study, analysis and design of dc-dc converters with multiple regulated outputs from a single supply without any external, bulky inductor. Using multiple outputs as the supplies of different functional blocks reduces the power consumption of portable applications as a whole. Raising the frequency by approximately two orders of magnitude above the conventional power converters facilitates miniaturizing the converter. However, reduction in efficiency comes as a trade-off and a challenge. This research aims at designing fully integrated dc-dc converters by innovating topologies and leveraging circuit techniques that give an appreciable performance on efficiency front.
Integrated Circuits Lab
Center for Integrated Systems
Stanford University