In the field of DC/DC conversion, one can build a synchronous DC/DC converter (also referred to as synchronous rectification). This practice involves replacing a diode with a MOSFET switch.
As far as I understand, this is a beneficial practice since the MOSFET will dissipate much less power than a diode. This, of course, comes at a cost of a more complicated control circuitry. However, nowadays the power management ICs are very advanced and synchronous rectification is not a unique feature of those.
Are there any other design considerations to be made with synchronous converters, besides timing of the switches? Are there any downsides to using one in your system?
