Angel V. Peterchev

Quantization resolution and limit cycling in digitally controlled PWM converters

This paper discusses the presence of steady-state limit cycles in digitally controlled pulse-width modulation (PWM) converters, and suggests conditions on the control law and the quantization resolution for their elimination. It then introduces single-phase and multi-phase controlled digital dither as a means of increasing the effective resolution of digital PWM (DPWM) modules, allowing for the use of low resolution DPWM units in high regulation accuracy applications. Bounds on the number of bits of dither that can be used in a particular converter are derived. Finally, experimental results confirming the theoretical analysis are presented.

A 4-/spl mu/a quiescent-current dual-mode digitally controlled buck converter IC for cellular phone applications

This paper describes a dual-mode digitally controlled buck converter IC for cellular phone applications. An architecture employing internal power management is introduced to ensure voltage compatibility between a single-cell lithium-ion battery voltage and a low-voltage integrated circuit technology. Special purpose analog and digital interface elements are developed. These include a ring-oscillator-based A/D converter (ring-ADC), which is nearly entirely synthesizable, is robust against switching noise, and has flexible resolution control, and a very low power ring-oscillator-multiplexer-based digital pulse-width modulation (PWM) generation module (ring-MUX DPWM). The chip, which includes an output power stage rated for 400 mA, occupies an active area 2 mm/sup 2/ in 0.25-/spl mu/m CMOS. Very high efficiencies are achieved over a load range of 0.1-400 mA. Measured quiescent current in PFM mode is 4 /spl mu/A.

Fundamentals of Transcranial Electric and Magnetic Stimulation Dose: Definition, Selection, and Reporting Practices

BACKGROUND The growing use of transcranial electric and magnetic (EM) brain stimulation in basic research and in clinical applications necessitates a clear understanding of what constitutes the dose of EM stimulation and how it should be reported. METHODS This paper provides fundamental definitions and principles for reporting of dose that encompass any transcranial EM brain stimulation protocol. RESULTS The biologic effects of EM stimulation are mediated through an electromagnetic field injected (via electric stimulation) or induced (via magnetic stimulation) in the body. Therefore, transcranial EM stimulation dose ought to be defined by all parameters of the stimulation device that affect the electromagnetic field generated in the body, including the stimulation electrode or coil configuration parameters: shape, size, position, and electrical properties, as well as the electrode or coil current (or voltage) waveform parameters: pulse shape, amplitude, width, polarity, and repetition frequency; duration of and interval between bursts or trains of pulses; total number of pulses; and interval between stimulation sessions and total number of sessions. Knowledge of the electromagnetic field generated in the body may not be sufficient but is necessary to understand the biologic effects of EM stimulation. CONCLUSIONS We believe that reporting of EM stimulation dose should be guided by the principle of reproducibility: sufficient information about the stimulation parameters should be provided so that the dose can be replicated.

Digital Multimode Buck Converter Control With Loss-Minimizing Synchronous Rectifier Adaptation

This paper develops a multimode control strategy which allows for efficient operation of the buck converter over a wide load range. A method for control of synchronous rectifiers as a direct function of the load current is introduced . The function relating the synchronous-rectifier timing to the load current is optimized on-line with a gradient power-loss-minimizing algorithm. Only low-bandwidth measurements of the load current and a power-loss-related quantity are required, making the technique suitable for digital controller implementations. Compared to alternative loss-minimizing approaches, this method has superior adjustment speed and robustness to disturbances, and can simultaneously optimize multiple parameters. The proposed synchronous-rectifier control also accomplishes an automatic, optimal transition to discontinuous-conduction mode at light load. Further, by imposing a minimum duty-ratio, the converter automatically enters pulse-skipping mode at very light load. Thus, the same controller structure can be used in both fixed-frequency pulsewidth modulation and variable-frequency pulse-skipping modes. These techniques are demonstrated on a digitally-controlled 100-W buck converter

A Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator Inducing Near-Rectangular Pulses With Controllable Pulse Width (cTMS)

A novel transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) device with controllable pulse width (PW) and near-rectangular pulse shape (cTMS) is described. The cTMS device uses an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) with appropriate snubbers to switch coil currents up to 6 kA, enabling PW control from 5 mus to over 100 mus. The near-rectangular induced electric field pulses use 2%-34% less energy and generate 67%-72% less coil heating compared to matched conventional cosine pulses. CTMS is used to stimulate rhesus monkey motor cortex in vivo with PWs of 20 to 100 mus, demonstrating the expected decrease of threshold pulse amplitude with increasing PW. The technological solutions used in the cTMS prototype can expand functionality, and reduce power consumption and coil heating in TMS, enhancing its research and therapeutic applications.

An ultra-low-power digitally-controlled buck converter IC for cellular phone applications

This paper describes a dual-mode digitally-controlled buck converter IC for cellular phone applications. An architecture employing internal power management is introduced to ensure voltage compatibility between a single-cell lithium-ion battery voltage and a low voltage integrated circuit technology. Special purpose analog and digital interface elements are developed. These include a ring-oscillator based ADC (ring-ADC), which is nearly entirely synthesizable, robust against switching noise, and has flexible resolution control, and a very low power ring oscillator-multiplexer based digital PWM generation module (ring-MUX DPWM). The chip, which includes an output power stage rated for 400 mA, occupies 2 mm/sup 2/ active area in 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS. Very high efficiencies are achieved over a load range of 0.1 to 400 mA. Measured quiescent current in PFM mode is 4 /spl mu/A.

Electroconvulsive therapy stimulus parameters: rethinking dosage.

In this article, we review the parameters that define the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) electrical stimulus and discuss their biophysical roles. We also present the summary metrics of charge and energy that are conventionally used to describe the dose of ECT and the rules commonly deployed to individualize the dose for each patient. We then highlight the limitations of these summary metrics and dosing rules in that they do not adequately capture the roles of the distinct stimulus parameters. Specifically, there is strong theoretical and empirical evidence that stimulus parameters (pulse amplitude, shape, and width, and train frequency, directionality, polarity, and duration) exert unique neurobiological effects that are important for understanding ECT outcomes. Consideration of the distinct stimulus parameters, in conjunction with electrode placement, is central to further optimization of ECT dosing paradigms to improve the risk-benefit ratio. Indeed, manipulation of specific parameters, such as reduction of pulse width and increase in number of pulses, has already resulted in dramatic reduction of adverse effects, while maintaining efficacy. Furthermore, the manipulation of other parameters, such as current amplitude, which are commonly held at fixed, high values, might be productively examined as additional means of targeting and individualizing the stimulus, potentially reducing adverse effects. We recommend that ECT dose be defined using all stimulus parameters rather than a summary metric. All stimulus parameters should be noted in treatment records and published reports. To enable research on optimization of dosing paradigms, we suggest that ECT devices provide capabilities to adjust and display all stimulus parameters.

A 2.5D Integrated Voltage Regulator Using Coupled-Magnetic-Core Inductors on Silicon Interposer

An integrated voltage regulator (IVR) is presented that uses custom fabricated thin-film magnetic power inductors. The inductors are fabricated on a silicon interposer and integrated with a multi-phase buck converter IC by 2.5D chip stacking. Several inductor design variations have been fabricated and tested. The best performance has been achieved with a set of eight coupled inductors that each occupies 0.245 mm2 and provides 12.5 nH with 270 mΩ DC. With early inductor prototypes, the IVR efficiency for a 1.8 V:1.0 V conversion ratio peaks at 71% with FEOL current density of 10.8 A/mm2 and inductor current density of 1.53 A/mm2. At maximum load current, 69% conversion efficiency and 1.8 V:1.2 V conversion ratio the FEOL current density reaches 22.6 A/mm2 and inductor current density reaches 3.21 A/mm2.

Consensus: New methodologies for brain stimulation.

We briefly summarized several new stimulation techniques. There are many new methods of human brain stimulation, including modification of already known methods and brand-new methods. In this article, we focused on theta burst stimulation (TBS), repetitive monophasic pulse stimulation, paired- and quadri-pulse stimulation, transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS), paired associative stimulation, controllable pulse shape TMS (cTMS), and deep-brain TMS. For every method, we summarized the state of the art and discussed issues that remain to be addressed.

Load-Line Regulation With Estimated Load-Current Feedforward: Application to Microprocessor Voltage Regulators

A consistent framework for load-line regulation design is presented, applicable to microprocessor voltage regulators (VRs) using either electrolytic or ceramic output capacitors. With conventional feedback control, the loop bandwidth is limited by stability constraints linked to the switching frequency. The output capacitor has to be chosen sufficiently large to meet the stability requirement. Load-current feedforward can extend the useful bandwidth beyond that imposed by feedback stability constraints. With load-current feedforward, the size of the output capacitor can be reduced, since it is determined solely by large-signal and switching-ripple considerations which are shown to be less constraining than the feedback stability requirement. This work points to the feasibility of microprocessor VR implementations using only a small number of ceramic output capacitors, while running at sub-megahertz switching frequencies