A novel configurable DC/DC converter architecture, to be integrated as hard macrocell in automotive embedded\nsystems, is proposed in the paper. It aims at realizing an intelligent voltage regulator. With respect to the state of\nthe art, the challenge is the integration into an automotive-qualified chip of several advanced features like dithering\nof switching frequency, nested control loops with both current and voltage feedback, asynchronous hysteretic\ncontrol for low power mode, slope control of the power FET gate driver, and diagnostic block against out-of-range\ncurrent or voltage or temperature conditions. Moreover, the converter macrocell can be connected to the invehicle\ndigital network, exchanging with the main vehicle control unit status/diagnostic flags and commands. The\nproposed design can be configured to work both in step-up and step-down modes, to face a very wide operating\ninput voltage range from 2.5 to 60 V and absolute range from âË?â??0.3 to 70 V. The main target is regulating all\nvoltages required in the emerging hybrid/electric vehicles where, besides the conventional 12 V DC bus, also a 48 V\nDC bus is present. The proposed design supports also digital configurability of the output regulated voltage,\nthrough a programmable divider, and of the coefficients of the proportional-integrative controller inside the nested\ncontrol loops. Fabricated in 0.35 Ã?¼m CMOS technology, experimental measurements prove that the IC can operate\nin harsh automotive environments since it meets stringent requirements in terms of electrostatic discharge (ESD)\nprotection, operating temperature range, out-of-range current, or voltage conditions.
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