Low profile and low output voltage DC/DC converters for on-board power distribution using planar magnetics

This paper describes two on-board power converters using new technologies to develop planar magnetics. Technologies involved are thick film on ferrite and very thin flex coils. New models of the high-frequency planar magnetics have been developed, useful both for the design of the custom made magnetics and for the simulation of the DC/DC power converters. Prototypes built provide 3.3V (5W) and 1.5V (1.5W) from a 5V input supply. The height of the power converters is 4mm (flex coils prototype) and 3mm (thick film prototype).