A high frequency radiation hardened DC/DC-converter with low volume air core inductor

Abstract

The hfrh-buck (high frequency radiation hardened-buck) is a radiation hardened DC/DC-converter operating at a high switching frequency of 100MHz with a small air core inductor of 22nH. To ensure a high radiation dose, the circuit is designed with core transistors of a 65nm TSMC technology. By stacking the transistors of the power stage, the converter can be supplied with a voltage of up to 4.8V. Stable operation can be achieved at an output voltage of 1.2V with a maximum load current of 1A. The prototype demonstrates the ability to power parallel connected hybrid-pixel modules in the innermost layers.