Linear-assisted DC-DC converter based on CMOS technology

This article shows the design of an on-chip CMOS implementation for an alternative topology to classic switching DC-DC power converters. In the presented technique, an auxiliary linear regulator is used to cancel the output voltage ripple and provides fast responses for load and line variations. On the other hand, a switching converter, connected in parallel, allows supplying almost the whole output current demanded by the load. The objective of this linear-assisted converter or hybrid topology is to achieve a high efficiency of switching converters, with suitable load and line regulation features, typical of linear regulators. In order to implement on-chip power supply systems and on-chip power management systems with low- to-medium current consumption, this structure has good features. In this kind of on-chip applications, CMOS is the current prevailing technology. Thus, the article shows a possible implementation of a linear-assisted converter based on a 0.8-mum CMOS technology.