GOALI: Highly-Efficient Power Delivery schemes for Systems-on-Chip (SoCs)

本研究的目的是在片上系统中引入新的功率传输方案，以实现更高的功率效率。提出的方法是用更有效的全集成开关替代系统内的众多线性调节器。与开关稳压器相关的大尺寸和成本通过在300MHz-600MHz切换来解决，这将所需的无源元件减少到可以集成在片上和封装基板上的位置。本研究的智力优势在于利用sub-65nm CMOS技术的超高速度功率比，使集成开关稳压器能够在300MHz以上工作，同时保持比线性稳压器更好的功率转换效率。片上无源器件的硅面积是通过填充调节器来处理的。S电源开关，输入和输出电容器，以及直接在电感下面的控制电路。通过策略性地放置基于开关稳压器拓扑结构的填充电路，可以减少磁致损耗。这项研究的更广泛的影响是，它提高了电力效率，同时保持了小的占地面积和成本。这使得许多目前受到不切实际的尺寸或电池寿命要求限制的设备，如生物医学植入物，在技术和经济上都是可行的。PI将通过开发课程来补充这一研究活动，提供传统电力电子教育与最先进集成电路之间缺失的联系。此外，PI将为研究生和本科生，包括那些来自代表性不足群体的学生，提供与行业互动的机会，并获得成功的工程职业所需的必要技能。

The objective of this research is to introduce new power delivery schemes in Systems-on-Chip that achieve higher power efficiency. The proposed approach is to replace the numerous linear regulators within the system with more efficient fully-integrated switching alternatives. The large size and cost associated with switching regulators is addressed by switching at 300MHz-600MHz, which reduces the required passive components to where they can be integrated on-chip and on-package-substrate.The intellectual merit of this research is to leverage the ultra-high speed-to-power ratio of sub-65nm CMOS technologies to enable integrated switching regulators to operate above 300MHz while maintaining power conversion efficiency that is better than linear regulators. The silicon area overhead of on-chip passives are handled through stuffing the regulator?s power switches, input and output capacitors, and control circuitry directly underneath the inductor. The magnetically-induced losses are reduced by strategically placing the stuffed circuits based on how they are configured in a switching regulator topology.The broader impact of this research is that it improves power efficiency while preserving small footprint and cost. This makes many devices that are currently limited by unrealistic size or battery life requirements, such as biomedical implants, technically and economically feasible. The PI will complement this research activity with education by developing curriculum that provides the missing link between traditional power electronics education and state-of-the-art Integrated Circuits. Additionally, the PI will provide graduate and undergraduate students, including those from underrepresented groups, with the opportunity to interact with industry and acquire necessary skills for a successful engineering career.