Research On 48V Input Voltage Regulator Module (VRM)

The DC-DC converter intently powering the CPU of computers is called Voltage Regulator Module(VRM),which has been attracting more attentions and has become a focus and challenge in the field of Power Electronics. For the future VRM, the output voltage is lower and lower(100A). At the same time, a faster transient response with very tight output voltage tolerance is required. All these prompts unprecedented challenges for designers of power supply. To meet the requirements mentioned above, 48V input VRM has increasingly become a better solution.This paper presents both the theoretical analysis and practical experimental results of 48V input VRM.hi theory, this paper firstly analyzes the features of VRM and reviews the development of VRM. Secondly, the characteristic of its transient response are analyzed. Thirdly, the main difficulties , the basic principles and the popular technologies met with in the design of 48V input VRM are discussed in detail. And then a novel topology -rAn Interleaved Three-Level Forward Converter(ITLFC)-suitable for 48V input VRM is proposed and its operation principle together with its advantages and features are analyzed in detail.In practice, a prototype, based on the novel proposed topology, with a 48V input and 100A/0.8V output is built and the experimental results verify the theoretical analysis very well. This paper also presents the detailed design process of the prototype.In the end, this paper presents the evaluation of the present technologies for VRM design from a viewpoint of engineering. And the further work is pointed out as well.