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Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

This paper deals with a circuit proposal along with theoretical analysis to provide a solution for enhancing the stability and transient performance of external capacitorless low-dropout regulators (CL-LDOs) by segmenting the pass transistor to smaller sizes. The stability and transient analysis is carried out on the CL-LDO with two different size-segmented pass transistors in comparison with the conventional CL-LDO with single large size pass device. The analysis shows that the pass transistor segmentation leads to better stability, i.e., greater phase margin especially at no-load and light-load conditions, wider bandwidth, and improved transient behavior, i.e., lower settling time and output voltage deviations due to the load transients. The aforementioned topologies are modeled and validated in HSPICE using a 0.35 µm CMOS process, and the results are in conformity with the analytical statements., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

In this paper, a new structure based on linear-assisted DC-DC buck converter principle is proposed. Using a new class-AB LDO regulator instead of the conventional linear one (based on a push-pull output stage) in the hybrid scheme, reduces the difference between input and output voltages and also the switching frequency of the buck converter. Thus, the proposal achieves higher power efficiency rather than the conventional linear-assisted converter, desired for power management systems of battery operated devices like biomedical implants and energy harvesting applications. In addition, the circuit provides a lower output ripple and better transient response. A comparison analysis is done with regards to the considered performance indexes between the proposed structure and linear-assisted buck converter, and the results are validated in HSPICE in a 0.35 µm CMOS process., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

This paper deals with a comprehensive study and comparison on the conventional linear-assisted converter and a new structure named, LDO-assisted converter based on a new class-AB LDO regulator instead of the conventional linear one, in terms of efficiency, output ripple, and load transient response. The new structure reduces difference between input and output voltages and also switching frequency of the buck converter, corresponding to higher power efficiency, desired for power management systems of battery operated devices like biomedical implants and energy harvesting applications. A comparison analysis is done and the results are validated in HSPICE in a 0.18 µm CMOS process., Postprint (published version)

Postprint (published version)

This article presents a low quiescent current output-capacitorless quasi-digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator with controlled pass transistors according to load demands. The pass transistor of the LDO is segmented into two smaller sizes based on a proposed segmentation criterion, which considers the maximum output voltage transient variations due to the load transient to different load current steps to find the suitable current boundary for segmentation. This criterion shows that low load conditions will cause more output variations and settling time if the pass transistor is used in its maximum size. Furthermore, this situation is the worst case for stability requirements of the LDO. Therefore, using one smaller transistor for low load currents and another one larger for higher currents, a proper trade-off between output variations, complexity, and power dissipation is achieved. The proposed LDO regulator has been designed and post-simulated in HSPICE in a 0.18¿µm CMOS process to supply a stable load current between 0 and 100¿mA with a 40¿pF on-chip output capacitor, while consuming 4.8¿µA quiescent current. The dropout voltage of the LDO is set to 200¿mV for 1.8¿V input voltage. The results reveal an improvement of approximately 53% and 25% on the output voltage variations and settling time, respectively., Postprint (author's final draft)

This paper proposes the use of double-frequency (DF) buck converter architecture consisting of a merged structure of high and low frequency buck cells as a candidate topology for envelope elimination and restoration (EER) applications and integrated power Supply of RF power amplifiers (RFPA) to obtain favorable tradeoffs in terms of efficiency, switching ripple, bandwidth, and tracking capability. It is shown that having two degrees of freedom in designing the DF buck helps to achieve high efficiency, low output ripples, and tracking capability with low ripples, simultaneously. A comparison analysis is done with regards to the mentioned performance indexes with the standard and three-level buck converters; in addition, the results are validated in HSPICE in BSIM3V3 0.35-µm CMOS process., Postprint (author's final draft)

This paper presents an output-capacitorless low dropout (LDO) regulator based on improved flipped voltage follower power stage for use in power management circuits. A new error amplifier (EA) structure, named as gain-bandwidth enhanced EA, is embedded in the LDO regulator. The LDO regulator is designed for the input and output voltages of 1.2 V and 1 V, respectively. Fast transients, low overshoot and undershoot, and low quiescent current of 6 µA are achieved for the proposed circuit. The LDO regulator is designed for maximum load current of 50 mA, achieving the current and power efficiencies of 99.99% and 83.3%, respectively. Additionally, up to 131 pF capacitance is used in the proposed LDO structure. The proposed circuit is designed and verified in HSPICE in TSMC 0.18 µm mixed signal CMOS process., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

Buck converter; efficiency; LDO-assisted; linear-assisted; output ripple., Postprint (published version)

This paper proposes the use of double-frequency (DF) buck converter architecture consisting of a merged structure of high and low frequency buck cells as a candidate topology for envelope elimination and restoration (EER) applications and integrated power supply of RF power amplifiers (RFPA) to obtain favorable tradeoffs in terms of efficiency, switching ripple, bandwidth, and tracking capability. It is shown that having two degrees of freedom in designing the DF buck helps to achieve high efficiency, low output ripples, and tracking capability with low ripples, simultaneously. A comparison analysis is done with regards to the mentioned performance indexes with the standard and three-level buck converters; in addition, the results are validated in HSPICE in BSIM3V3 0.35-µm CMOS process., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

This article presents a low quiescent current output-capacitorless quasi-digital complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator with controlled pass transistors according to load demands. The pass transistor of the LDO is segmented into two smaller sizes based on a proposed segmentation criterion, which considers the maximum output voltage transient variations due to the load transient to different load current steps to find the suitable current boundary for segmentation. This criterion shows that low load conditions will cause more output variations and settling time if the pass transistor is used in its maximum size. Furthermore, this situation is the worst case for stability requirements of the LDO. Therefore, using one smaller transistor for low load currents and another one larger for higher currents, a proper trade-off between output variations, complexity, and power dissipation is achieved. The proposed LDO regulator has been designed and post-simulated in HSPICE in a 0.18¿µm CMOS process to supply a stable load current between 0 and 100¿mA with a 40¿pF on-chip output capacitor, while consuming 4.8¿µA quiescent current. The dropout voltage of the LDO is set to 200¿mV for 1.8¿V input voltage. The results reveal an improvement of approximately 53% and 25% on the output voltage variations and settling time, respectively., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (author's final draft)

The use of dual-frequency (DF) buck converter architecture consisting of a merged structure of high and low frequency buck cells is presented as a candidate topology for integrated power management to obtain favorable tradeoffs in terms of efficiency, switching ripple, and bandwidth. It is shown that having two degrees of freedom in designing the DF buck helps to achieve high efficiency and low output ripples, simultaneously. A comparison analysis is done with regards to the aforementioned performance indexes with the standard and three-level buck converters and the results are validated in HSPICE in a 0.35 µm CMOS process., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)