Use coupled inductors in multiphase buck converters to improve efficiency
phase timing and synchronization, the power stage handles high- current switching, and the CL enables ripple cancellation, driving improved efficiency. For the controller, the Analog Devices’ MAX16602GGN+T (Figure 5) is a solid pick. Offered in a 56-QFN (7 mm × 7 mm) package, this device supports an 8-phase rail and a separate single-phase rail. Notable features include autonomous phase shedding, telemetry via PMBus, integrated fault protection and logging, and an internal 1.8 V bias regulator. These features enable precise control, reduced component count, and enhanced transient response in multiphase voltage regulator systems.
Figure 5: The MAX16602GGN+T voltage regulator controller supports up to 8 phases. (Image source: Analog Devices, Inc.) The power stage can be implemented using Analog Devices’ MAX20790GFC+T (Figure 6). This smart power stage integrates MOSFETs, gate drivers, and current sensing into a single 12-FC2QFN
Lower losses lead to better thermal performance, which can, in turn, enhance long-term reliability and potentially reduce cooling requirements in thermally constrained systems. All these benefits are achieved while maintaining compatibility with existing layouts. Figure 4: Shown is the transient for 8-phase DL = 100 nH (600 kHz) and 2 × CL = 4 × 100 nH (400 kHz) for V IN = 12 V, V O = 0.9 V for 135 A load steps; same board, same C O , same conditions. (Image source: Analog Devices, Inc.) Selecting components for multiphase buck converters To implement an efficient multiphase buck converter, attention can be focused on three key components: the voltage regulator controller, the power stage integrated circuit (IC), and the CL. The controller manages
Figure 6: The MAX20790GFC+T smart power stage integrates MOSFETs, gate drivers, and current sensing into a single device. (Image source: Analog Devices, Inc.)
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