A 65-nm, 1-A buck converter with multi-function SAR-ADC-based CCM/PSK digital control loop

A 1-A DC-DC converter with embedded digital controller is implemented in 65-nm CMOS technology. The digital controller based on a customized, multi-function SAR ADC, occupies 0.038 mm
²
and consumes 115.5 μA from a 1.2-V supply, making the DC-DC converter suitable for portable applications. The DC-DC converter implements Continuous-Conduction Mode (CCM) control for high-current loads, a Pulse-Skipping (PSK) feature, in order to keep high efficiency at light loads, and automated switching between these two modes, in order to guarantee the best possible transient performance and efficiency.