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

数据中心2013年的用电量为910亿千瓦时，预计到2020年将达到1400亿千瓦时。在峰值负载时，CPU和DRAM内存消耗了大约80%的服务器总功率，在未来的设计中，这一功率需求还会增加。当前的数据中心电源系统使用12V直流作为机架级分布电压，然后将其转换为更低的电压，例如1V用于CPU，1.2V用于RAM。随着功率的增加，12V配电电缆中的铜耗显著增加，铜损与电流的平方成正比。据测算，采用48V机架配电系统，配电损耗可降低2%。对于48V配电系统，48V使用开关电源转换器转换为12V，然后再转换为更低的电压。48V到12V转换阶段的效率较低，约为94%，这意味着能量损失了6%。该项目将基于“虚拟零电感开关转换器”技术，可以实现99%以上的效率为48V到12V的功率转换，而体积要小得多。该项目将实现两个主要目标：(1)设计效率最高(99%以上)、功率密度最高(5倍以上)的48V至12V总线转换器；(2)设计效率最高、动态响应速度最快的48V至1V电压调节器。该项目的成功完成将显著提高行业赞助商多伦多地区的一家小公司的竞争优势。通过使其能够开发世界上最高效率和最高功率密度的电源模块，适用于48V至12V应用以及用于数据中心应用的48V至1V电压调节器。此外，还将在该项目中培训8名高素质人员(HQP)。

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.