Control of voltage regulator modules using anticipated load transients

Fast load transient response and tight regulation are two strict specifications of dc-dc converters, called voltage regulator modules (VRMs), to power desktops and microprocessors. This manuscript presents a VRM topology, in which instead of conventional bulky capacitors, small metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) utilised to provide fast transient requirements of the system. VRM topology based on anticipatory control tightly maintains output voltage of the converter within the required output voltage ripple band during transients. In anticipatory control, since there is no need for instantaneous changes in the inductor current, therefore the dynamic response of the converter to the load changes is ultra-fast. A 12/1.5-V, 25-A and 300-kHz VRM, based on anticipatory control is designed, built and tested. The proposed topology is validated with detailed simulation and a hardware prototype.