Optimization of Shielded PCB Air-Core Toroids for High Efficiency DC-DC Converters

The paper illustrates the basic features and compares the expected performance of different dc-dc converter topologies, that represent possible candidates for the power distribution network of the future Super Large Hadron Collider (SLHC) experiments at CERN. The specifications require the converters to operate in a highly hostile environment, where high radiation fluxes call for the development of custom designed ASICs, based on a selected technology, and stationary magnetic fields (> 4T) prevent the use of any magnetic material. The converter topologies taken into account are: a conventional buck converter, considered as a benchmark for minimum volume occupation, a two phase, interleaved, synchronous buck converter, and a two phase, interleaved, synchronous buck converter with integral voltage divider. The three converters’ performances are compared in terms of expected volume occupation, conversion efficiency and generated electromagnetic noise.