A Boost Converter Employing Quadratic Sawtooth Waveform Generator for SiPM-Based Radiation Sensors

Hyuntak Jeon

doi:10.3390/chemosensors9060144

Abstract

This paper proposes an optimized step-up power converter using a quadratic sawtooth waveform generator for a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) used as a radiation sensor for mobile radiation dosimeters. Although our step-up converter uses the topology of a switched inductor boost converter in voltage mode, it achieves a fast transient performance thanks to the proposed quadratic sawtooth waveform generator, which can increase the loop bandwidth. As a result, the proposed boost converter can stably regulate the bias voltage of an SiPM, even in a situation where the radiation particles are injected. In addition, since the proposed quadratic sawtooth waveform generator can be designed with low power, it was able to achieve 86% peak efficiency even under the light load conditions.

Highlights

After the recent Fukushima accident, the dangers of nuclear power plants became directly exposed to the public [1]
The radiation detector is responsible for converting the input radiation particles into a charge signal (ISiPM )
A silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), a type of radiation detector, can be manufactured by using the semiconductor process and has a high density of integration even with a small area, so it is suitable for mobile applications

Summary

Introduction

After the recent Fukushima accident, the dangers of nuclear power plants became directly exposed to the public [1]. The power management circuits serve to drive the voltages required for the radiation detector (HVDD) and sensor interface circuits (AVDD, DVDD) from the smartphone battery. SiPM-based based high-performance radiation detectors require a high driving voltage. The boost converter shows efficiency even under a load condition of several hundred mW or more It consists of high an efficiency a load condition of several mWmodulator. A circuit for operation optimized for the current characteristics of SiPM was proposed to achieve fast transient response characteristics.

Conventional step-up converters:

Design

Results

Conclusions