A Single Phase Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) With Stepping Inductance for Fast Transient Response

A single-phase fast transient converter topology with stepping inductance is proposed. The stepping inductance method is implemented by replacing the conventional inductor in a buck converter by two inductors connecting in series. One has large inductance and the other has small inductance. The inductor with small inductance will take over the output inductor during transient load change and speed up dynamic response. In steady state, the large inductance takes over and keeps a substantially small ripple current and minimizes root mean square loss. It is a low cost method applicable to converters with an output inductor. A hardware prototype of a 1.5-V dc-dc buck converter put under a 100-A transient load change has been experimented upon to demonstrate the merit of this approach. It also serves as a voltage regulator module and powers up a modern PC computer system