Multi-channel semi-regulated bus converter

The supply-voltage requirements of the modern integrated circuits necessitate the use of distributed power systems. There are concerns about the use of single intermediate bus voltage to power multiple point-of-load (POL) converters such as signal integrity due to the high frequency circulating currents and narrow duty ratios of POL converters. The paper investigates the possibility to implement the bus converter as multi-output semi-regulated converter to overcome the aforementioned concerns with insignificant additional costs. The concept was implemented by means of active-clamp forward converter with synchronous rectification and input-voltage-feedforward control. The main concerns have been the input-to-output noise attenuation and cross-regulation between the outputs. Frequency and time domain results are provided to support theoretical findings.