Novel control technique for single inductor multiple output converters operating in CCM with reduced cross-regulation

This paper presents an innovative control scheme for single-inductor, multiple-output DC-DC converters operating in CCM. The proposed multi-loop technique exploits both charge control, used for the inner loops related to the different outputs, and average current mode control, used for the external loop that regulates the overall inductor current. This approach provides an independent regulation of converter outputs, thus strongly reducing cross-regulation effects, and it achieves very high efficiency (87 % with a 1 Oz copper board) and output power transfer capability, overcoming the typical limitations of DCM operation. Experimental results are shown to confirm the effectiveness and the high dynamic performance achievable with this solution.