A multiphase PWM converter chip for the advanced microprocessors
Journal
International Journal of Electronics
Journal Volume
92
Journal Issue
5
Pages
271-280
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Shi, B. X.
Abstract
The DC-DC converter is a fundamental component of the personal computer motherboard and occupies a number of communication areas. To solve the problem of meeting the power supply requirements of the new microprocessor that requires 40-100A current, lower voltage and higher regulation performance during current transients, a multiphase pulse-width modulator (PWM) converter is designed. Multiphase converters, by distributing the power and load current, results in smaller and lower cost transistors with fewer input and output capacitors. These reductions accrue from the higher effective conversion frequency with higher frequency ripple current due to the phase interleaving process of this topology. The converter provides the complete solution of control, output adjustment and over-current/over-voltage protection for the power supply on a PC motherboard. The chip is designed and fabricated in the 1.2 μm BICMOS process. Test results of the established power system for PC motherboard show that the programmable switching converter has fast transient response, small startup overshoot, high conversion efficiency and high precision of 0.8% under full load and commercial temperature range. It meets the specifications of Intel's VRM9.0 design guideline for the power supply of high performance Pentium IV central processing units.
SDGs
Type
journal article