Implementation of boost converter zero current detection using digital ASIC design flow

Energy can be harvested from ambient sources such as vibration, wireless, thermal and solar. Using energy harvesting in running ultra-low power systems could potentially enable battery-free operation in many applications, especially in wearable and implantable biomedicai devices. A special energy efficient interface circuit, which transfers harvested energy to be utilized by the load, is an essential part in the overall harvesting system. Traditionally, power converters such as DC-DC converters were entirely based on analog circuit design. This paper presents detailed implementation of a zero current detection technique for the inductor-based DC-DC converter using digital ASIC design flow. The proposed design was implemented using 65 nm Global Foundries Low Power CMOS process. It occupied an area of 209.88 μm² and consumed 8.07 μW. Furthermore, it ran at a frequency of 925.96 MHz. By using the ASIC design flow, the design is all-digital, portable and technology independent.