energies

Article
A Low EMI DC-DC Buck Converter with a Triangular
Spread-Spectrum Mechanism
Jing-Yuan Lin, Yi-Chieh Hsu * and Yo-Da Lin
Department of Electronic Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology,
Taipei 106, Taiwan; jylin@mail.ntust.edu.tw (J.-Y.L.); boybobo063@gmail.com (Y.-D.L.)
* Correspondence: D02943003@ntu.edu.tw; Tel.: +886-2-733-3141




Received: 27 December 2019; Accepted: 14 February 2020; Published: 15 February 2020


Abstract: In this paper, a triangular spread-spectrum mechanism is proposed to suppress the electromagnetic
interference (EMI) of a DC-DC buck converter. The proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism,
which is implemented in the chip, can avoid modifying the printed circuit board of switching
regulators. In addition, a lower ripple of output voltage of switching regulators and a better system
stability can be realized by the inductive DC resistance (DCR) current sensing circuit. The chip
is fabricated by using TSMC 0.18-µm 1P6M CMOS technology. The chip area including PADs is
1.2 × 1.15 mm2 . The input voltage range is 2.7~3.3 V and the output voltage is 1.8 V. The maximum
load current is 700 mA. The off-chip inductor and capacitor are 3.3 µH and 10 µF, respectively.
The experimental results demonstrate that the maximum spur of the proposed DC-DC buck converter
with the triangular spread-spectrum mechanism improves to 14dBm. Moreover, the transient recovery
time of step-up and step-down loads are both 5 µs. The measured maximum efficiency is 94% when
the load current is 200 mA.

Keywords: constant on-time control; electromagnetic interference; spread-spectrum mechanism;

buck converter

1. Introduction
In recent years, portable electronic devices have become an indispensable necessity in daily life.
Power management integrated circuits (PMICs) are widely used in portable electronic devices such as
smart phones, tablets, laptops, and digital cameras. These products are constantly being updated to
make them more practical and convenient. In general, fixed operating frequency control and variable
operating frequency control are used in the switching regulator. Switching regulators with fixed
operating frequency include both voltage mode control [1,2] and current control mode [3–5]. Fixed
operating frequency control mechanisms must utilize an error amplifier and additional compensation
components to stabilize the output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter. Another type of control
scheme is variable operating frequency control, including hysteresis control [6–8] and constant on-time
control [9–11]. First, the hysteresis control is controlled by the ripple of output voltage of the DC-DC
buck converter. When the ripple of output voltage is higher than the upper threshold voltage or lower
than the lower threshold voltage, the control circuit will generate a corresponding switching signal
to drive power transistors. In addition, to stabilize the system it is necessary to use a capacitor with
large equivalent series resistance (ESR) as an output capacitor of the DC-DC buck converter, such as an
electrolytic capacitor. The constant on-time control is another control method, as shown in Figure 1.
When the output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter is lower than the reference voltage, the power
transistors are controlled with a fixed on-time. This method also needs to be controlled by the ripple of
output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter, so it is also necessary to use an electrolytic capacitor as
an output capacitor of the DC-DC buck converter to stabilize the system.

Energies 2020, 13, 856; doi:10.3390/en13040856 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

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Compared with electrolytic capacitors, a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) has the advantages
Compared with electrolytic capacitors, a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) has the
of long used time, low cost, better high frequency response, and small size. However, the use of an
advantages of long used time, low cost, better high frequency response, and small size. However, the
MLCC as the output capacitor of a DC-DC buck converter in a variable operating frequency system
use of an MLCC as the output capacitor of a DC-DC buck converter in a variable operating
must be accompanied by additional control mechanisms to maintain system stability. Hence, there are
frequency system must be accompanied by additional control mechanisms to maintain system
some studies that propose a combination of low ripple of output voltage and system stability [12,13].
stability. Hence, there are some studies that propose a combination of low ripple of output voltage
In addition, since the variable frequency control system has a gradually increasing switching loss ratio
and system stability [12–13]. In addition, since the variable frequency control system has a gradually
of the power transistor at a light load, the constant on-time control can improve the efficiency of the
increasing switching loss ratio of the power transistor at a light load, the constant on-time control
DC-DC buck converter by lowering the operating frequency.
can improve the efficiency of the DC-DC buck converter by lowering the operating frequency.

MP L VOUT
VIN
IOUT
COUT
MN Load
VGP VGN RESR

Gate Driver
and On-Time
CMP
−
Dead Time Generator +
Control
Bandgap
Reference

Figure 1. Schematic of the constant on-time DC-DC buck converter.

Figure 1. Schematic of the constant on-time DC-DC buck converter.
Switching regulators have many advantages, such as high conversion efficiency and small size.
Switching regulators have many advantages, such as high conversion efficiency and small size.
However, there are still some shortcomings that must be carefully considered, the most important of
However, there are still some shortcomings that must be carefully considered, the most important of
which is the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the DC-DC buck converter [14–16]. Figure 2 shows
which is the electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the DC-DC buck converter [14–16]. Figure 2
the EMI of a portable electronic device. EMI is an electromagnetic noise that is not conducive to other
shows the EMI of a portable electronic device. EMI is an electromagnetic noise that is not conducive
systems during the normal operation of a DC-DC buck converter, which is a serious problem for safety
to other systems during the normal operation of a DC-DC buck converter, which is a serious
regulations. Therefore, in order to eliminate the influence of EMI, it is necessary to modify the layout
problem for safety regulations. Therefore, in order to eliminate the influence of EMI, it is necessary
of the printed circuit board of the switching regulators or to add additional control circuits, which
to modify the layout of the printed circuit board of the switching regulators or to add additional
will increase the cost of the product. Random switching frequency is one of the most effective ways to
control circuits, which will increase the cost of the product. Random switching frequency is one of
reduce EMI [17]. This method disperses the power of spurs of the converter in the frequency domain by
the most effective ways to reduce EMI [17]. This method disperses the power of spurs of the
randomly adjusting the switching frequency. However, the disadvantage is that the instantaneous jitter
converter in the frequency domain by randomly adjusting the switching frequency. However, the
of the switching frequency is too large, which will increase the ripple of the output voltage. To suppress
disadvantage is that the instantaneous jitter of the switching frequency is too large, which will
the EMI of the DC-DC buck converter and the ripple of output voltage, the triangular spread-spectrum
increase the ripple of the output voltage. To suppress the EMI of the DC-DC buck converter and the
mechanism is presented in this paper. The EMI of the DC-DC buck converter is introduced in Section 2.
ripple of output voltage, the triangular spread-spectrum mechanism is presented in this paper. The
The circuit implementation of the proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism is described in
EMI of the DC-DC buck converter is introduced in Section 2. The circuit implementation of the
Section 3. Finally, the experimental results and conclusions are shown in Sections 4 and 5, respectively.
proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism is described in Section 3. Finally, the experimental
results and conclusions are shown in Section 4 and 5, respectively.
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Electromagnetic
Interference
Electromagnetic
Interference
VIN
VIN Power Control RF
Transistor Circuit Circuit
Power Control RF
L Power Circuit
Management Unit
Transistor Circuit
L Power Management Unit
Analog Digital
COUT Circuit Circuit
Analog Digital
COUT PortableCircuit
Electronic Device Circuit
Portable Electronic Device
Figure2.2.Electromagnetic
Figure interferenceof
Electromagnetic interference ofthe
theportable
portableelectronic
electronic device.
device.

2. Electromagnetic Figure
Interference of the DC-DC
2. Electromagnetic BuckofConverter
interference the portable electronic device.
2. Electromagnetic Interference of the DC-DC Buck Converter
ElectromagneticInterference
2. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
of the DC-DCis a very important
Buckimportant
Converterissue issue for switching regulators. If the
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a very for switching regulators. If the
standard of EMC is not taken into account in the design
standard of EMC is not taken into account in the design of the switching regulator, of the switching regulator, it will
it will taketakemore more
time toElectromagnetic
deal with the compatibility
effects of EMI, (EMC)
such asismodifying
a very important the issueoffor
layout theswitching
printed regulators.
circuit board If of
thethe
time to deal
standard with the
of EMC effects
is not taken ofinto
EMI, such asinmodifying
account the designthe of layout of the printed
the switching regulator, circuit
it willboard
takeof the
more
switching
switchingregulators.
regulators.
time to deal with the effects of EMI, such as modifying the layout of the printed circuit board of the
Figure
Figure3 3depicts
depictsthe theinductor
inductor current distributionofofthe
current distribution theDC-DC
DC-DCbuck buckconverter.
converter. There
There arearetwotwo
switching regulators.
dramatically
dramatically varying current loops (I and I ) in the DC-DC buck converter. First, when the power
Figure 3varying
depicts current
the inductor loopscurrent
(I11 anddistribution
I22) in the DC-DC of thebuck DC-DC converter. First, when
buck converter. Therethearepower
two
transistor
transistor MpMisp turned
is turned on, on,
the current
the current looploopI passes through
I1 passes the input
through the voltage VIN , theVpower
input voltage IN, the transistor
power
dramatically varying current loops (I1 and1 I2) in the DC-DC buck converter. First, when the power
Mtransistor
, the inductor
M L, the outputL,capacitor COUT , and the load. Next, in order to maintain the continuity the of
ptransistor Mpp, the inductor
is turned on, thethe current
output capacitor
loop I1 passes COUT , and the load.
through the Next,
input in order to
voltage VINmaintain
, the power
continuity
thetransistor
inductorM of the
current, inductor current, the power transistor M will
the power transistor Mn will be turned on. The current loop I2 flows be turned on. The current loop
through I2
thethe
n
p, the inductor L, the output capacitor COUT, and the load. Next, in order to maintain
flows
power through
transistor
continuity of thethe power
Mninductor transistor
, the inductor
current, M
L, the
then, output
the inductor
power L, theCM
capacitor
transistor output
OUT , andcapacitor
the loadCOUT , andtime.
at this the load
n will be turned on. The current loop I2
at this to
According
thetime. According
operating principleto theofoperating
the principle
switching of the switching
regulator, we can
flows through the power transistor Mn, the inductor L, the output capacitor COUT, and the find regulator,
that the we can find
current loopsthatI the
and current
1 load atI2 are
thisnot
loops
continuous.I 1 and I are
This will
2 not continuous.
therefore cause This will therefore
a largeofcurrent cause a large
changeregulator, current
rate, resulting change
in find rate, resulting
the generation of in
high
time. According to the operating principle the switching we can that the current
the
frequencygeneration
loops I1 andcomponents. of high frequency
There are two
I2 are not continuous. components.
This areas
will(A There
and
therefore A )are two
included
cause a areas
large in the(A
current 1 and A2) included in the
inductor
change current
rate, distribution
resulting in
1 2
ofinductor
the
current
the generation
DC-DC buck distribution of
of converter.
high frequency
thearea
The DC-DC A1 has
components.
buck converter.
a There
large high
are two
The area A1 component
frequency has a large high
areas (A1 and A2) included becausefrequency
only
in thethe
component
current
inductorloop because
I1 passes.
current only
distribution the
On theof current
other loop I
hand, since
the DC-DC 1 passes. On the other hand, since both current loops I1
buck both current
converter. area IA1 1and
Theloops has Ia2 large
pass high
through the area
frequency
and I2 pass through the area A2, the inductor current forms a smooth and continuous triangular
A2component
, the inductor because
current only the current
forms a smooth loopand I1 passes.
continuous On the other hand,
triangular wave. since boththe
Thus, current loops I1
high frequency
wave.
and I2Thus,
pass the high frequency Acomponent of thecurrent
area A2forms
is reduced. In summary, the EMI of area A1
component of through
the area the A2 isarea 2, theIn
reduced. inductor
summary, the EMI of area a smooth
A1 will andbe continuous
higher thantriangularthe area A2 .
will be higher than the area A2. As a result, the input terminal of the DC-DC buck converter will
Aswave. Thus,
a result, thetheinputhighterminal
frequency of component
the DC-DCofbuck the area A2 is reduced.
converter In summary,
will generate a largethe EMI. EMI of area A1
Consequently,
generate a large EMI. Consequently, the EMI of the DC-DC buck convertor can be suppressed by the
thewill
EMIbeofhigher
the DC-DC than the buck area A2. As acan
convertor result, the input terminal
be suppressed of the DC-DC buck
by the spread-spectrum converter
technique, will
as shown
spread-spectrum
generate a large technique,
EMI. as shownthe
Consequently, in EMI
Figure of 4. DC-DC buck convertor can be suppressed by the
the
in Figure 4.
spread-spectrum technique, as shown in Figure 4. I1 + I2
VIN MP VLX L I1 + I2 VOUT I1
VIN MP VLX L VOUT I1
VGP VGN CO t
I2 Load
I2
VI1GP VGN M CO
RESR t
N I2 Load
I2
I1 RESR
MN t
Gate Driver
I1 + I2 t
Gate Driver
A1 A2 I1 + I2
t
A1 A2
t
Figure 3. Inductor current distribution of the DC-DC buck converter.
Figure 3. Inductor current distribution of the DC-DC buck converter.
Figure 3. Inductor current distribution of the DC-DC buck converter.
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0
0

-10
-10

-20
-20

-30
-30

-40
-40

-50
-50

-60
-60

-70
-70

-80
-80 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6
0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Frequency (MHz)1.2 1.4 1.6
Frequency (MHz)

Figure 4. Spectrum waveform with and without spread-spectrum technique.

Figure 4.
Figure Spectrum waveform
4. Spectrum waveform with
with and
and without
without spread-spectrum
spread-spectrum technique.
technique.

3. Circuit Implementation
3. Circuit Implementation
The triangular spread-spectrum mechanism
mechanism proposed
proposed in this paper uses a triangular wave to
The triangular spread-spectrum mechanism proposed in this paper uses a triangular wave to
modulate the
modulate theon-time
on-time of of
thethe power
power transistor.
transistor. Due toDue
the to the switching
switching frequencyfrequency being gradually
being gradually increased
modulate the on-time of the power transistor. Due to the switching frequency being gradually
increased
or or decreased,
decreased, the waveform the waveform of thecurrent
of the inductor inductor is current
smoother.is smoother. In addition,
In addition, reducing reducing
the ripplethe
of
increased or decreased, the waveform of the inductor current is smoother. In addition, reducing the
ripple of
output outputcan
voltage voltage can also
also make the make
outputthe outputofvoltage
voltage of the converter
the converter more
more stable. Thestable.
blockThe block
diagram
ripple of output voltage can also make the output voltage of the converter more stable. The block
diagram
of of the proposed
the proposed DC-DC DC-DC buck converter
buck converter is shownis shown
in Figurein Figure 5. To realize
5. To realize the spur
the spur reduction,
reduction, this
diagram of the proposed DC-DC buck converter is shown in Figure 5. To realize the spur reduction,
this paper proposes a low EMI DC-DC buck converter with a triangular
paper proposes a low EMI DC-DC buck converter with a triangular spread-spectrum mechanism that spread-spectrum
this paper proposes a low EMI DC-DC buck converter with a triangular spread-spectrum
mechanismmitigates
effectively that effectively mitigates
the effects of EMI.the effects ofthe
In addition, EMI. In addition,
system stability the
andsystem stability
the ripple of the and
DC-DCthe
mechanism that effectively mitigates the effects of EMI. In addition, the system stability and the
rippleconverter
buck of the DC-DC buck converter
are improved are improved
by the inductive by the inductive
DC resistance DC resistance
(DCR) current (DCR) current
sensing circuit.
ripple of the DC-DC buck converter are improved by the inductive DC resistance (DCR) current
sensing circuit.
sensing circuit.
Inductive DCR Current Sensing Circuit
Inductive DCR Current Sensing Circuit
VIN MP VLX L RDCR VOUT
VIN MP VLX L RDCR VOUT
IOUT
VGP VGN RS CS COUT IOUT
VGP VGN RS CS COUT
MN Load
MN RESR Load
VSUM RESR
VSUM
Power Stage
Power Stage

− VCOMP
−+ Gm−
CMP
VCOMP
Gm−+
CMP
+
RZ +
RZ Bandgap
Dead time Q S CC Bandgap
Dead time CC Reference
Control Q S VRAMP_on Reference
Control VRAMP_on Triangular
＿ VRAMP_off
＿ VRAMP_off Triangular
Spread-Spectrum
Q R
Q R Spread-Spectrum
Generator VH
Generator V
VHL
VRESET VL
VRESET
Triangular Spread-Spectrum Mechanism
Triangular Spread-Spectrum Mechanism
Figure 5.
Figure Block diagram
5. Block diagram of
of the
the proposed
proposed DC-DC
DC-DC buck
buck converter.
converter.
Figure 5. Block diagram of the proposed DC-DC buck converter.
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3.1. Proposed Triangular Spread-Spectrum Generator

3.1. Proposed Triangular Spread-Spectrum Generator
The schematic of the proposed triangular spread-spectrum generator and simulation waveform
The schematic of the proposed triangular spread-spectrum generator and simulation
are
waveforminare
shown Figuresshown 6 and in 7,Figure
respectively.
6 and The triangular
Figure spread-spectrum
7, respectively. generatorspread-spectrum
The triangular is composed of a
triangular
generatorwave generatorofand
is composed a an on-time wave
triangular generator. First, and
generator the triangular
an on-time wave generator
generator. includes
First, the
current sources I 1 and I 2 , a capacitor C 1 , comparators CMP
triangular wave generator includes current sources I1 and I2, a capacitor C1, comparators CMP1 and1 and CMP 2 , an SR latch, and transistors
MCMP
1 -M42., an
Assuming
SR latch,that andthe initial voltage
transistors M1-Mof the capacitor Cthe
4. Assuming that 1
is 0V, thevoltage
initial SR latchofwill theprovide
capacitor a high-level
C1 is 0V,
voltage
the SRto turnwill
latch off theprovidetransistor M1 . Thus,
a high-level voltagethe current off theI1transistor
to turnsource will charge M1.theThus,capacitor C1 . When
the current sourcethe
voltage of the capacitor
I1 will charge the capacitor C 1 is higher the upper threshold voltage V
C1. When the voltage of the capacitor CH1 is higher than the upperbe
than , a low-level voltage will
produced
threshold voltage VH, a low-levelonvoltage
by the SR latch to turn will be M
the transistor 1 . If the current
produced by the SR latchIto
source 1 isturn
designed
on thetotransistor
be half of
the
M1current currentI2source
. If the source , the capacitor C1 will
I1 is designed tobebedischarged
half of the through the transistors
current source M3 and M
I2, the capacitor andbe
C14will the
current source
discharged through I 2 . When the voltage of the
the transistors M3 and M4 and the capacitor C is lower than the lower threshold
1 current source I2. When the voltage of the voltage VL ,
the current source
capacitor C1 is lower I1 willthan charge thethe capacitor
lower thresholdC1 again.
voltage By V repeating the above
L, the current source operation, a triangular
I1 will charge the
wave VTRI can
capacitor be obtained.
C1 again. By repeatingIn general,the the
above upper threshold
operation, a voltage
triangular VH wave
and the VTRIlower
can threshold
be obtained. voltage
In
VLgeneral,
will affectthe upper
the slope threshold
of the voltage
triangular VH and wave.the Thus,
lower it threshold
would appear voltagethat VL will affect thetriangular
a smoother slope of
the triangular
wave has a smaller wave. Thus,on
impact it would appear
the output that athat
voltage, smoother triangular
is, it has a lower wave
ripplehas a smaller
of output impactand
voltage on a
the output
smooth output voltage,
voltage. that
Next, is, itthehas a lower
on-time ripple of
generator output voltage
comprises a current and
sourcea smooth output voltage.
I3 , a comparator CMP3 ,
a Next,
capacitor the C on-time generator comprises
2 , and transistors M5 -M9 . The a current source II33,chargesa comparator CMP3, C
the capacitor a2capacitor C2, and
via the transistors
transistors M -M . The current source I charges the capacitor
M5 -M8 . When the voltage of the capacitor C2 is higher than the triangular wave VTRI , the comparator
5 9 3 C2 via the transistors M 5 -M 8. When the
voltage
CMP of the capacitor C2 is higher than the triangular wave VTRI, the comparator CMP3 will
3 will generate a pulse signal to the SR latch to modulate the on-time. The voltage of the capacitor
generate a pulse signal
C2 will be discharged to the
at this timeSR by
latch to modulate
using the on-time.
the transistor M9 . The voltage of the capacitor C2 will
be discharged at this time by using the transistor M9.

I1 VH −
CMP1
+ S Q
VTRI
＿
− R Q
C1 VL CMP2
+

M8 M7 I3 I2
−
CMP3
+
VRAMP
M1
VRAMP_off
I4
VRESET M9 C2 M6 M5 M4 M3 M2

On-Time Generator Triangular Wave Generator

Figure 6. Schematic of the proposed triangular spread-spectrum generator.

Figure 6. Schematic of the proposed triangular spread-spectrum generator.
Energies 2020, 13, 856 6 of 13

Figure 7. Simulation waveform of the triangular spread-spectrum generator.

3.2. Inductive DCR Current Sensing Circuit

The inductive DCR current sensing circuit is depicted in Figure 8. Due to the reduced ripple of
output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter, the output capacitor with low ESR is employed. However,
lower ripple of output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter causes system instability. Thus, to prevent
sensing incorrect information on the inductor current, the inductive DCR current sensing circuit is
adopted to obtain information on the inductor current. It is composed of an inductor with DCR RDCR
and filter circuits RS and CS . The operating principle of the inductive DCR current sensing circuit is to
sense the inductor current by the inductive DCR RDCR and obtain the sensing voltage VSEN through
the filter circuits RS and CS . It can be expressed as
 
iL (Rdcr + sL) 1 + s RL
dcr
Vsen (s) = = (iL Rdcr )[ ] (1)
1 + sRs Cs 1 + sRs Cs

When the time constants in Equation (1) are equal, it can be determined as

L
Rs Cs = (2)
Rdcr

By substituting Equation (2) into Equation (1), VSEN can be simplified as

Vsen (s) = iL Rdcr (3)

The output voltage of the inductive DCR current sensing circuit VSUM can be calculated as

Vsum (s) = Vout + Vsen (s) (4)

It can be found from Equation (4) that the output voltage of the inductive DCR current sensing
circuit VSUM is composed of the output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter VOUT and the sensing
voltage VSEN . Thus, even if the MLCC is used as the output capacitor COUT , the output voltage of the
inductive DCR current sensing circuit VSUM can acquire the correct information on the inductor current.
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L
Inductive DCR Current
L
Inductive
SensingDCR Current
Circuit
Sensing Circuit
L RDCR
VLX L RDCR VOUT
VLX VOUT
RS CS
RS CS
+ Vsen(s) -
+ Vsen(s) -
VSUM
− VSUM
VRAMP_on CMP VCOMP
+− VCOMP
VRAMP_on CMP
+ L
L
Figure 8. Schematic
Schematic of
of the
the inductive DC resistance (DCR) current sensing circuit.
Figure 8. Schematic of the inductive DC resistance (DCR) current sensing circuit.
4. Experimental Results
4. Experimental Results
4. Experimental Results
In
In order
ordertoto verify
verifythe the
proposed DC-DC
proposed buck converter
DC-DC with the with
buck converter triangular spread-spectrum
the triangular mechanism,
spread-spectrum
the In
chip order
is to verify
implemented the proposed
using TSMC DC-DC
1P6M buck
0.18-µm converter
CMOS with
technology.the triangular
The
mechanism, the chip is implemented using TSMC 1P6M 0.18-μm CMOS technology. The chip chip spread-spectrum
microphotograph is
mechanism,
shown in the
Figure chip
9, and is implemented
consists of the using
power TSMC 1P6M
transistors, gate 0.18-μm
driver CMOS
and technology.
proposed
microphotograph is shown in Figure 9, and consists of the power transistors, gate driver and The
triangular chip
spread-
microphotograph
spectrum
proposed mechanism.
triangular is spread-spectrum
shown in Figuremechanism.
9, and consists of the power transistors, gate driver and
proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism.

Figure 9. Chip microphotograph.

Figure 9. Chip microphotograph.
The is 1.2is× 1.2 2
The chip
chiparea area including
including PADsPADs 1.15×mm 1.15. Themmoff-chip inductor inductor
2. The off-chip and capacitorand are adoptedare
capacitor as
3.3 The
µH and chip
10 µF,area including
respectively. PADs
The is
operating1.2 × 1.15
frequency mm 2. The off-chip inductor and capacitor are
ranges from
adopted as 3.3 μH and 10 μF, respectively. The operating frequency ranges from 0.7 MHz to 1.3 0.7 MHz to 1.3 MHz. The nominal
adopted
input
MHz. as nominal
voltage
The 3.3andμHoutput
and 10voltage
input μF, respectively.
voltage are The1.8
3.3 output
and V and operating arefrequency
V, respectively.
voltage 3.3 V The andranges
maximum
1.8 V,from 0.7
loadMHz toThe
current
respectively. 1.3
is
MHz.
700 mA. The
The nominal
experimentalinput voltage
results areand output
shown in voltage
Figures are
10–19, 3.3 V
including
maximum load current is 700 mA. The experimental results are shown in Figure 10 to Figure 19, and 1.8
the V, respectively.
steady-state The
response,
maximum
ripple
including loadsteady-state
of output
the current is
voltage, 700
transientmA.
response, The
recovery experimental
ripple time, spectrum
of output results aretransient
waveform
voltage, shownand in Figure 10
conversion
recovery to Figure
efficiency.
time, spectrum19,
including
Figures
waveform the10steady-state
and and 11 show
conversion response,
the measured
efficiency. rippleresults
of output
of thevoltage,
light load (ILOAD =recovery
transient 200 mA)time, and thespectrum
heavy
waveform
load (I
Figure =
and conversion
700 mA) efficiency.
steady-state response of the proposed DC-DC
LOAD 10 and Figure 11 show the measured results of the light load (ILOAD = 200 mA) and the buck converter, respectively.
The
heavyFigure
load 10
measured and Figure
(Iresults 700 11
LOAD = include
show
the
mA) the measured
output VOUT
voltageresponse
steady-state results ofofthe
of the the proposed
DC-DC light load
buck (I LOAD = 200
converter,
DC-DC the
buck mA) and the
connection
converter,of
heavy
the power load (I LOAD = V700 and
transistors
respectively. The measured mA) thesteady-state
inductor response
current
LX results include the output I . It of
can the
be proposed
found that DC-DC
the output
L voltage VOUT of the DC-DC buck converter, thebuck converter,
voltages of the
respectively.
proposed
connection ofThe
DC-DC the measured
buck
power results
converter are
transistors include
Vboth the
1.8
LX and Voutput
the from voltage
the
inductor measuredVOUTILof
current . Itthe
results.
canDC-DC
be found buck converter,
that the outputthe
connection of the power transistors V LX and the inductor current IL. It can be found that the output
voltages of the proposed DC-DC buck converter are both 1.8 V from the measured results.
voltages of the proposed DC-DC buck converter are both 1.8 V from the measured results.
Energies 2020, 13, 856 8 of 13
Energies 2020, 13, x 8 of 13

The light
The light load
load (I(ILOAD = 200 mA) and heavy load (I LOAD ==700
LOAD = 200 mA) and heavy load (ILOAD
700mA)
mA)output
outputripples
ripples of
of the
the proposed
proposed
DC-DC buck converter, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, are both less than 3
DC-DC buck converter, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, are both less than 3 mV.mV.

Figure 10. Measured light load steady-state

light load steady-state response
responseof
ofthe
theproposed
proposedDC-DC
DC-DCbuck
buckconverter
converter(V(V OUT=
OUT =
OUT
LOAD = =
1.8 V; ILOAD
LOAD 200 mA).
200 mA).

Figure 11. Measured heavy loadload steady-state response of

steady-state response of the
the proposed
proposedDC-DC
DC-DCbuck
buckconverter
converter(V
(VOUT
OUT
OUT

== 1.8
1.8 V; LOAD = =
V; IILOAD
LOAD 700 mA).
700 mA).

Figure 12. light load

12. Measured light output ripple
load output ripple of
of the
the proposed
proposed DC-DC
DC-DC buck
buckconverter
converter(V OUT ==1.8
(VOUT
OUT 1.8 V;
V;
LOAD = =
ILOAD 200
200mA).
mA).
LOAD
Energies 2020, 13, 856 9 of 13
Energies
Energies 2020,
2020, 13,
13, x
x 9
9 of
of 13
13

Figure 13.
Figure Measured heavy
13. Measured heavy load
load output ripple of
output ripple
ripple of the
of the proposed
the proposed DC-DC
proposed DC-DCbuck
DC-DC buckconverter
buck converter(V
converter (VOUT
(V ==1.8
OUT =
OUT
OUT 1.8 V;
1.8 V;
V;
IILOAD = =
700
700mA).
mA).
LOAD = 700 mA).
LOAD
LOAD

The
The measured
measured transient
transient response
response ofof the proposed DC-DC
the proposed
proposed DC-DC buck
DC-DC buck converter
buck converter is
converter is shown
is shown in
shown in Figure
in Figure 14.
Figure 14.
14.
Figures
Figure 15
Figure 15 and
15 and 16
and Figuredepict
Figure 16 the transient
16 depict
depict the recovery
the transient times
transient recovery for
recovery times the
times for step-up
for the and
the step-up step-down
step-up and
and step-down loads
step-down loads of the
loads of
of
proposed
the proposed DC-DC
DC-DC buck converter,
buck respectively.
converter, respectively. According
According totothe
themeasured
the proposed DC-DC buck converter, respectively. According to the measured results, themeasured results,
results, the
the transient
transient
recovery time
recovery time of
of the
the proposed
the proposed DC-DC
proposed DC-DCbuck
DC-DC buckconverter
buck converterisis
converter is5µs
5μsfor
5μs forboth
for bothstep-up
both step-up (fromILOAD
step-up(from
(from LOAD =
IILOAD
LOAD
200 mA
== 200
200 mA to
to
IIILOAD
LOAD
LOAD =
LOAD = 700
= 700
700 mA)mA)
mA) and and step-down
and step-down (from
step-down (from I
(from IILOAD =
== 700
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD 700
700 mA mA
mA to to I
to IILOAD == 200
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD = 200
200 mA) mA)
mA) loads.loads.
loads.

Figure
Figure 14.
Figure 14. Measured
Measured transient
Measured transient response
transient response of
response of the
of the proposed
the proposed DC-DC
proposed DC-DC buck
buck converter.
converter.

Figure 15.
Figure 15. Measured
Measured transient
transient recovery
recovery time
time with
with the
the proposed
proposed DC-DC
DC-DC buck
buck converter
converter for
for aa step-up
step-up
load from 200 mA to 700 mA.
load from 200 mA to 700 mA.
Energies 2020, 13, x 10 of 13
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Energies 2020, 13, x 10 of 13

Figure 16. Measured transient recovery time with the proposed DC-DC buck converter for a
Measured
Figure 16.load
step-down transient
from 200 mA torecovery
700 mA.time with the proposed DC-DC buck converter for a step-down
Figure 16. Measured transient recovery time with the proposed DC-DC buck converter for a
load from 200 mA to 700 mA.
step-down load from 200 mA to 700 mA.
The measured spectrum waveforms of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) without and with the
The measured spectrum waveforms of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) without and with
proposed The triangular
measured spectrum waveformsmechanism
spread-spectrum of the Fast Fourier Transform
are shown in (FFT)
Figurewithout
17 and andFigure
with the18,
the proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism are shown in Figures 17 and 18, respectively.
proposed triangular
respectively. The measured spread-spectrum
maximum spurs mechanism are shown
of the DC-DC buck in Figure without
converter 17 and and Figure
with18,the
The measured maximum spurs of the DC-DC buck converter without and with the proposed triangular
respectively.
proposed The
triangular
spread-spectrum
measured maximum
spread-spectrum
mechanism are 46 dBm
spurs of
mechanism the –46 dBm and
DC-DC buck
are respectively.
and 60 dBm, The–experimental
converter without and with
60 dBm, respectively. the
results show The
proposed triangular
experimental results spread-spectrum
show that the mechanism
maximum spur arethe
of –46 dBm and
proposed –60 dBm,
DC-DC buck respectively.
converter Thethe
with
that the maximum spur of the proposed DC-DC buck converter with the triangular spread-spectrum
experimental
triangular results show that the maximum
spread-spectrum spur ofbythe14proposed DC-DC buck converter withofthethe
mechanism improved by 14 mechanism improved
dBm. The measured efficiency dBm.
of The measured
the proposed DC-DC efficiency
buck converter
triangular
proposed spread-spectrum
DC-DC mechanism
buck converter improved
is illustrated by 14
in Figure 19.dBm. The measured
The maximum efficiency of the is
conversion
is illustrated in Figure 19. The maximum conversion efficiency is 94% when the load efficiency
current is
94%proposed
when DC-DC
the load buck converter
current is 200 is illustrated
mA. The in Figure
specification 19.ofThe
themaximum
proposed conversion
DC-DC efficiency
buck is
converter
200 mA. The specification of the proposed DC-DC buck converter with the triangular spread-spectrum
94% when the load current is 200 mA. The specification of the proposed DC-DC buck converter
with the triangular
mechanism spread-spectrum
is listed in Table 1. mechanism is listed in Table 1.
with the triangular spread-spectrum mechanism is listed in Table 1.

Figure 17. Measured spectrum waveform without the proposed triangular spread-spectrum
17. Measured
Figure17.
Figure Measuredspectrum waveform
spectrum without
waveform the proposed
without triangular spread-spectrum
the proposed mechanism.
triangular spread-spectrum
mechanism.
mechanism.
Energies 2020, 13, x 11 of 13
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Energies 2020, 13, x 11 of 13

Figure 18. Measured spectrum waveform with the proposed triangular spread-spectrum
mechanism.
18.Measured
Figure 18.
Figure Measuredspectrum waveform
spectrum with the
waveform proposed
with triangular spread-spectrum
the proposed mechanism.
triangular spread-spectrum
mechanism.

Figure 19. Measured conversion efficiency of the proposed DC-DC buck converter.
Figure 19. Measured conversion efficiency of the proposed DC-DC buck converter.
Table 1. Specification of the proposed DC-DC buck converter.
Figure 19. Table
Measured conversion of
1. Specification efficiency of the DC-DC
the proposed proposed DC-DC
buck buck converter.
converter.
Parameter This Work
Parameter
Table 1. Specification
Technologyof(nm) 180 This Work
the proposed DC-DC buck converter.
Technology (nm)
Control scheme
180
Constant on-time
Parameter This Work
Controlfrequency
Switching
scheme(MHz) Constant on-time
0.7~1.3
Technology (nm) 180
Switching frequency (MHz) 0.7~1.3
Input voltage
Control scheme (V) 2.9~3.3
Constant on-time
Input voltage (V) 2.9~3.3
Switching frequency (V)
Output voltage (MHz) 1.8 0.7~1.3
Output voltage (V) 1.8
Input voltage
Inductor (V) (µF)
(µH)/Capacitor 3.3/10 2.9~3.3
Inductor (μH) / Capacitor (μF) 3.3 / 10
Output
Peak voltage
efficiency(V)
(%) 94 1.8
Peak efficiency (%) 94
Inductor (μH) / Capacitor
Load current (mA) (μF) 50~700 3.3 / 10
Load current (mA) 50~700
TransientPeak efficiency
recovery time for (%)
step-up load (µs) 5 94
Transient recovery time for step-up load (μs) 5
Transient Load
recoverycurrent
time for(mA)
step-down load (µs) 5 50~700
Transient recovery time for step-down load (μs) 5
Transient recovery time
Chip areafor
(mmstep-up
2) load (μs) 1.38 5
Chip area (mm2) 1.38
Transient recovery time for step-down load (μs) 5
Chip area (mm2) 1.38
Energies 2020, 13, 856 12 of 13

5. Conclusions
This paper presents the possibility of a low EMI DC-DC buck converter with a triangular
spread-spectrum mechanism to reduce the EMI. The proposed triangular spread-spectrum mechanism
is implemented in the chip, so there is no need to modify the PCB in order to mitigate the effect of EMI.
On the other hand, reducing the ripple of output voltage of the DC-DC buck converter and maintaining
system stability can be realized by the inductive DCR current sensing circuit. The chip is implemented
by using the TSMC 0.18-µm 1P6M CMOS process. The chip area including PADs is 1.2 × 1.15 mm2 .
The input voltage range is 2.7–3.3 V and output voltage is 1.8 V. The maximum load current is 700 mA.
The off-chip inductor and capacitor are 3.3 µH and 10 µF, respectively. The measured results show
that the maximum spur of the proposed DC-DC buck converter with a triangular spread-spectrum
mechanism is suppressed to 14 dBm. Moreover, the transient recovery time of step-up and step-down
loads are both 5 µs. The measured efficiency is 94% when the load current is 200 mA.

Author Contributions: J.-Y.L. and Y.-C.H. conceived and designed the architecture and experiment. Y.-D.L. performed
the experiment. Y.-C.H. wrote the paper. J.-Y.L. provided all material for the experiment, and supervised the
design, analysis, experiment, and editing of the paper. All authors have read and agreed to the published version
of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute (TSRI) for chip
fabrication and technical support.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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