MS student William Vavrik with Advisor A. Stillwell

Modern processor loads place stringent power delivery demands on power density, efficiency, and dynamic performance. In previous work, a current-sourced hybrid switched-capacitor converter design was presented with all converter magnetics located at the input. However, to be able to regulate these loads and respond to dynamic situations, a mathematical model of the converter must be developed to properly design the controller to close the loop.

Figure 1. Schematic of controller model to close the loop.

This research has focused on developing a model (based on the schematic in Figure 1). A state-space averaged model has written that linearizes the converter around its nominal operating point. The model confirms well to a simulated converter (Figure 2). The next step is to implement closed-loop feedback within a digital controller based on well-established control principles. Augmentation of this converter to reach the fast changes in current that the processors demand has been proposed. This work is supported by the UIUC ECE Department and the Grainger Foundation.

Figure 2. Simulated converter