Toshiba Develops a Wide-Input-Voltage-Range High-Efficiency Switched-Capacitor DC-DC Converter for Wireless IC
Many of today’s wireless ICs have embedded DC-DC converters instead of LDO regulators to reduce the power consumption of the ICs. However, mainstream inductor-based DC-DC converters require an inductor that is relatively bulky and expensive. Capacitor-based DC-DC converters have gained attention recently on their ability to offer a compact, low cost module. However, switched-capacitor DC-DC converters offer high efficiency only in a limited input and output voltage range, since they are based on a discrete conversion ratio; inductor-based DC-DC converters have a continuous conversion ratio. Conventional techniques solve this by connecting multiple switched-capacitor units in series, but this incurs an efficiency penalty.
Toshiba has solved the issue by developing a new unified switched-capacitor topology with 3 capacitors and a multiple switch control architecture, that achieves multiple conversion ratios. Switched between the appropriate configurations of capacitors, this switched-capacitor DC-DC converter offers up to 95.8% efficiency with a 0.85-to-3.6V wide input voltage range, and a 0.1-to-1.9V wide output voltage range. It also supports auto-configured step-up and step-down power conversions, and can provide 2 channels of regulated output voltages.
Toshiba will continue to research this technology toward providing lower-cost and thinner wireless device modules, and plans to use the switched-capacitor in a low-power wireless IC released in three years time.
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical product and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future”, Toshiba promotes global operations and is contributing to the realization of a world where generations to come can live better lives.
Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 580 consolidated companies employing 199,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.6 trillion yen (US$55 billion).
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