Fast transient response in hybrid sources with combined linear-non-linear control

A new type of hybrid source based on a combined linear-non-linear control (HS-LnL) is presented in this paper. The hybrid sources are composed by both a linear and a switching source connected in parallel. The linear-nonlinear control allows reducing the current provided by the linear source under a load current step. Consequently the efficiency of the hybrid source is improved. Three different prototypes have been built to show the actual operation and to compare the experimental results. These results prove that using the HS-LnL the output voltage variation is limited, the efficiency with respect to the conventional buck converter is almost unaffected by including a linear source, and fast transient response is improved. The experimental results show that the HS-LnL power supplies can be a good solution to feed DSPs and microprocessors.