Technology development for 48V input voltage regulator for next generation data center power systems

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Data centers consume 91 Billion kW-Hours electricity in 2013 and it is estimated that they will consume 140 Billion kW-Hour electricity by the year 2020. CPU and DRAM memory consume around 80% of the total server power at peak load, and this power need is increasing in future designs. **Current data center power systems use 12V DC as the rack level distribution voltage, which is then converted to lower voltage, such as 1V for CPU and 1.2V for RAM. As the power increases, the copper loss in the 12V distribution cables increases significantly as the copper loss is proportional to the square of the current. It is estimated that using a 48V rack distribution system, the distribution loss can be reduced by 2%. With a 48V distribution system, the 48V is converted into 12V using a switching power converter, which is then converted to lower voltages. The efficiency of 48V to 12V conversion stage is low, at around 94%, which means that 6% energy is lost. **This project will be based on the "Virtually-Zero-Inductor Switching Converter" technology that can achieve 99%+ efficiency for the 48V to 12V power conversion at significantly smaller size. This increases the efficiency by 5%, or equivalently reduces the loss by 84%.**The project will achieve two major objectives: (1) Design a 48V to 12V bus converter with highest efficiency (99%+) and highest power density (5 times higher) and (2) Design a 48V to 1V Voltage Regulator with highest efficiency and fastest dynamic response for next generation data center application.**The successful completion of this project will significantly improve the competitive advantages of the industry sponsor, a small company located in the Toronto area, by enabling it to develop the world highest efficiency and highest power density power modules for 48V to 12V application and for 48V to 1V voltage regulator for data center applications. In addition, 8 Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) will be trained in the project.****