A 52.3% Peak Efficiency 22nm CMOS Low-Power Light-Adaptive Self-Oscillating Voltage Doubler Using Scalable Dynamic Leakage-Suppression Logic

This work represents a low-power light-adaptive DC-DC converter for continuously tuning the operating state of circuits according to ambient light. By using a solar cell in a current mirror type complementary signals generator and applying scalable dynamic leakage-suppression (DLS) logic to a self-oscillating voltage doubler, the DC-DC converter can transit from a low-speed DLS state to a high-speed DLS state. By SPICE simulation using 22 nm ultra-low leakage CMOS technology process design kit, 52.3% peak efficiency under 0.3 V input voltage and 2000 lux illuminance can be achieved. The lowest power consumption of the converter circuit is only 383 pW at 0.15 V input voltage and 200 lux illuminance. The maximum power output is 665 pW at 0.4 V input voltage and 2000 lux illuminance. The adaptability to various light conditions improves the energy efficiency and output voltage, which benefits the sensors in complex working environments.