An Ultrafast-Transient-Response Boost Converter With V-Cubed-Controlled Techniques Suitable for Low-Voltage Solar Cells in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract

This article proposed a V-cubed adaptive-on-time-controlled boost converter with zero-current-detection (ZCD) techniques suitable for low-voltage solar cells in wireless sensor networks. This converter employs V-cubed adaptive-on-time control (AOTC) and incorporates a zero-current detector to enhance efficiency under light loads. The design and implementation are carried out using the T18HVG2 (TSMC 0.18- $\mu $ m HV 1P6M) process, with a chip area of $1.067\times 1.073$ mm2. The input voltage range is 0.5–1.2 V, the output voltage is 1.5–2.0 V, and the load current range is 10–150 mA. The transient response times are 1 and $0.8~\mu $ s, achieving a peak efficiency of 94.2% at a load current of 130 mA. The major contributions of this article are: 1) we proposed a V-cubed adaptive-on-time-controlled boost converter with ZCD techniques; 2) the proposed converter has been simulated with SIMPLIS and HSPICE to verify the function well; and 3) the performance of the proposed converter is better than others’ work. In a dc–dc boost converter, a voltage-cubed control strategy is used, which usually means adjusting the control parameters in the control loop according to the cube of the output voltage. The application of this method can bring some advantages, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects: 1) improved efficiency; 2) improved dynamic response; 3) reduced control noise and oscillation; 4) improved load regulation; and 5) extended component life. In summary, the application of voltage cubic control in dc–dc boost converters can improve efficiency, stability, and dynamic response, giving it obvious advantages in applications requiring high performance and high stability.