Systematic Optimization of Multiple Voltage Domain DC Distribution Architectures

Complex electronic systems often require a power distribution architecture that provides multiple, separate voltage domains for various subsystem loads such as microprocessor cores, interface, memory, analog, and radio frequency components. The multiple point-of-load regulated voltages are typically generated using multiple dc-dc converters operating from a single input dc voltage. This paper introduces a Permutation-Graph (PG) method to systematically optimize multiple voltage domain dc distribution architectures using commercially available or custom single-input single-output dc-dc converter building blocks. The PG method enumerates possible converter arrangements and selects the converter blocks to achieve the best system figure of merit in terms of system efficiency, size, cost, power density, or a combination of these metrics. In representative case study examples considering a system operating from 48 V input dc voltage and requiring seven regulated point-of-load de voltages {1, 1.3,3.3,5, 12, 24, 40} V, it is shown how the proposed approach can improve the system figure of merit by up to 75% compared to solutions offered by a commercially available tool.