Multiphase current-controlled buck converter with energy recycling output impedance correction circuit (OICC)

Abstract

This study is related to the improvement of the output impedance of a multiphase buck converter with peak current mode control (PCMC) by means of introducing an additional power path, which virtually increases the output capacitance during transients. Various solutions that can be employed to improve the dynamic behavior of the converter system exist, but nearly all solutions are developed for a single-phase buck converter with voltage mode control, while in the voltage regulation module applications, due to the high currents and dynamic specifications, the system is usually implemented as a multiphase buck converter with current mode control to ensure current sharing. The proposed circuit, output impedance correction circuit (OICC), is used to inject or extract a current n - 1 times larger than the output capacitor current, thus virtually increasing n times the value of the output capacitance during the transients. Furthermore, the OICC concept is extended to a multiphase buck converter system and the proposed solution is compared with the system that has n times bigger output capacitor in terms of dynamic behavior and static and dynamic efficiency. The OICC is implemented as a synchronous buck converter with PCMC, thus reducing its penalty on the system efficiency.