Ultra-Low-Voltage DC-DC Converter ICs

Dec. 8, 2004
Why is it necessary to use ultra-low-voltage dc-dc converters? Published by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) projects lower operating voltages and higher current through 2016. In 2004, the lowest operating voltage for low-powered ICs was 1.0 V. The figure shows the projected IC operating voltages from 2003 to 2016, when the operating voltage should drop to 0.5 V.What is the definition of ultra-low voltage? No standard definition for ultra-low voltage exists. However, typical semiconductor industry use is now 1.0 V and below.What is the purpose of going to lower operating voltages? Lowering the operating voltage permits more transistors on a single silicon chip while reducing power dissipation. This involves reducing transistor channel length and improving gate dielectrics to achieve higher circuit densities, which allows reduced spacing between neighboring transistors.What is the importance of efficiency for ultra-low-voltage dc-dc converters? Efficiency is critical for battery life-the higher the IC converter efficiency, the longer the usable battery operation before recharging. High efficiency and minimum current are important for the converter's standby, shutdown, and operational modes.

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About the Author

Sam Davis 2

Sam Davis was the editor-in-chief of Power Electronics Technology magazine and website that is now part of Electronic Design. He has 18 years experience in electronic engineering design and management, six years in public relations and 25 years as a trade press editor. He holds a BSEE from Case-Western Reserve University, and did graduate work at the same school and UCLA. Sam was the editor for PCIM, the predecessor to Power Electronics Technology, from 1984 to 2004. His engineering experience includes circuit and system design for Litton Systems, Bunker-Ramo, Rocketdyne, and Clevite Corporation. Design tasks included analog circuits, display systems, power supplies, underwater ordnance systems, and test systems. He also served as a program manager for a Litton Systems Navy program.

Sam is the author of Computer Data Displays, a book published by Prentice-Hall in the U.S. and Japan in 1969. He also authored the book Managing Electric Vehicle Power. He is also a recipient of the Jesse Neal Award for trade press editorial excellence, and has one patent for naval ship construction that simplifies electronic system integration.

You can also check out additional articles on his other author page

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