Efficiency Impact of Phase Firing Order in Dual-Sided Power Entry with Trans-Inductor Voltage Regulators (TLVR)

Dual-sided power delivery architecture is commonly used to power high performance SOCs. In addition, Trans Inductor Voltage Regulators (TLVR) are used to meet stringent SOC transient requirements. The phase firing order pattern in a dual-sided power delivery scheme using TLVR topology has a significant impact on efficiency. This paper identifies the key contributions of the ripple current magnitude in the TLVR compensation inductor L
C
in driving the loss mechanisms causing the efficiency to degrade. The impacts of the firing pattern in driving the increase in alternating current (AC) losses in the compensation inductor and TLVR inductors are analyzed. A comparison of TLVR efficiency with single and dual L
C
is explored for best efficiency characteristics.