A 12V-to-Sub-1V Dual Inductor Middle Hybrid Step-Down Converter with Reduced Inductor Current

Abstract

Modern data centers require high-current, low-voltage power supplies with high power density to support AI accelerators and high-performance processors. To achieve high power density, passive components such as inductors must be minimized while maintaining high conversion efficiency. In addition, reducing the voltage stress across power devices enables the use of low-voltage MOSFETs with lower on-resistance and smaller silicon area. This paper presents a 12V to 0.6-1V hybrid step down DC-DC converter for data center applications. By employing hybrid conversion architecture with mode transition, the proposed converter reduces inductor current, enabling compact implementation and improved efficiency over a wide output voltage range.