A low-complexity, high-performance digital control architecture for voltage regulator modules

This paper presents a new digital control architecture for voltage regulator modules, which employs only two digital-to-analog converters with low resolution (7 bit). The control strategy combines current programming and variable frequency operation, leading to negligible quantization effects. Both output voltage accuracy and stability are improved with respect to traditional digital solutions. The new architecture is designed to provide active current sharing and adaptive voltage positioning functions. A detailed description of the controller is given with reference to a single-phase buck converter. Extension to multiphase converters is straightforward. The control algorithm has been implemented into a commercial FPGA device by using only 2200 equivalent gates. Experimental results from a four-phase converter based on the proposed control architecture are presented

\u201cDigital Controller for DC-DC Switching Converters\u201d

A voltage regulator includes an input terminal adapted for being coupled to an input voltage and an output terminal adapted for being coupled to a load. The voltage regulator includes a first switch adapted for selectively coupling to the input terminal and to the output terminal, a current sensor for measuring an output current flowing towards the output terminal, a voltage sensor for measuring the output voltage from the output terminal, and a digital controller which drives the first switch. The controller closes the first switch when the error voltage is less than a first preset value of voltage and opens the first switch when the output current is greater than a first preset value of current