A digitally controlled DC-DC buck converter with lossless load-current sensing and BIST functionality

Tao Liu, Hyunsoo Yeom, Bert Vermeire, Philippe Adell, Bertan Bakkaloglu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lossless load current sensing ability is one of the most desirable features of contemporary current- or voltage-mode-controlled DC-DC converters. Current sensing can be used for short circuit detection, multi-stage converter load balancing, thermal control, and load-independent control of DC-DC converters [1]. Recently, current sensing techniques using the existing inductor series DC resistance (DCR) are gaining attention due to their reduced complexity and minimized loss [2][4]. These techniques increase the need for inductor build-in self-test (BIST) ability to measure DCR. Inductor BIST is also critical for high-reliability applications such as automotive and aerospace systems where component variation and drift need to be closely monitored. An analog inductor characterization and current sensing technique utilizing Gm-C filtering is proposed in [2], where the gain errors and sensing offset are cancelled in analog domain. The DC-DC buck converter presented here uses an offset-independent inductor characterization enabling a digital continuous lossless load-current-sensing scheme. The proposed inductor BIST and current-sensing techniques can be extended to current-mode-controlled converters and multi-stage parallel converters as well.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference - Digest of Technical Papers, ISSCC 2011
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages388-389
Number of pages2
ISBN (Print)9781612843001
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Event2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, ISSCC 2011 - San Francisco, CA, United States
Duration: Feb 20 2011Feb 24 2011

Publication series

NameDigest of Technical Papers - IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference
ISSN (Print)0193-6530

Other

Other2011 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference, ISSCC 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco, CA
Period2/20/112/24/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A digitally controlled DC-DC buck converter with lossless load-current sensing and BIST functionality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this