The impact of inductor selection on a 12-1 V GaN POL converter with over 94% peak efficiency and higher load optimization

The overall power system can generally be divided into three stages: front end, middle stage and point-of-load (POL). The overall efficiency of the power supply chain is dependent on the multiplicity effect which means each stage should be taken into account. Increases in efficiency of the POL converter have the benefit of reducing extra heat generation near the load, reducing overall power dissipation, and reducing the cooling requirement. A 12-1 V buck converter with 94% peak efficiency is presented that takes into account the many factors contributing to the losses in efficiency such as switching losses and conductance losses. All of these factors should be considered for an optimal design that maximizes efficiency. The switching losses have been reduced leaving the inductor as the dominant source of loss. Therefore, the choice of the inductor is dependent on whether the design is for peak efficiency at light loads or optimization of efficiency at higher loads.