Minimum PCB footprint point-of-load DC-DC converter realized with Switched-Capacitor architecture

This work reports on the design and test of a CMOS-based switched capacitor (SC) DC-DC conversion integrated circuit (IC) for the point-of-load (POL) application conventionally addressed with the buck converter. A 12V-to-1.5V converter is fabricated in a 0.18 mum technology, with an active die area of 3mm
²
. There is a significant reduction in printed circuit board (PCB) footprint, passive component height and cost when compared to surveyed buck converters. The converter achieves 93% peak efficiency and an efficiency of 80% over an output current range of 7 mA to 1 A. This work demonstrates the vast potential of SC converters for wide-range voltage conversion in deep-submicron CMOS technologies, when cost and efficiency are of critical importance.