48V bus-based datacentre voltage regulator modules: topology, control and magnetic integration

Image credit: PEAC

Abstract

The intermediate dc bus voltage in modern data center backend power supply is evolving from conventional 12 V to 48 V. It still requires the voltage regulator modules (VRM) to feed the terminal loads such as memory and computing units operating with very high current (> 100 A/module) and very low logic voltage (0.8 V-1.8 V). This makes it challenging to optimize the design of load-side VRMs with quadrupled input voltage. This tutorial comprehensively reviews the state-of-the-art 48 V VRMs and categorizes them according to passive component utilization. The first category is inductive solution which is further divided into coupled-inductor-based converters and transformer-based converters. The second category named capacitive solution is further divided into resonant switched-capacitor-based converters (Resonant SCC) and hybrid switched-capacitor-based converters (Hybrid SCC). Typical topologies are discussed, analyzed and summarized to perform a comprehensive performance comparison, such that the characteristics of different VRMs can be manifested. Some design considerations are also given to facilitate the design of the practical prototypes. Moreover, opportunities and challenges in the future data center power system are presented to provide technical insights

Date
Nov 4, 2022 1:30 PM — 5:00 PM
Location
Xiamen Wutong Pliport Hotel & Online
Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center, 119 Liuhua Rd, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong '510170' 2496 Huandao East Rd, Huli District, Xiamen, Fujian, 361016
Jiawei Liang (梁家伟)
Jiawei Liang (梁家伟)
Ph.D. candidate of Power Electronics

My research interests include switched-capacitor converter, point-of-load converter, and magnetic integration in data center applications.