On-Chip DC-DC Converters for Three-Dimensional ICs

Guidelines for distributing a buck converter rectifier for application to three-dimensional (3-D) circuits is described. The 3-D rectifier exploits the properties of transmission lines to generate and distribute power supplies to different planes. As compared to a conventional rectifier, the proposed rectifier circuit only requires moderately size capacitors without the use of on-chip inductors. A case study in a 0.18 mu m CMOS 3-D technology demonstrates the generation of a 1.2 volt power supply delivering 700 mA peak current.