Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for improving efficiency in a switching regulator at light loads

US6212079A · kind A · utility

84Cited by
7References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2000
Grant dateApr 3, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 30, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B70/10
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A switching regulator that operates at a frequency for a first range of feedback signal values and at a variable frequency without skipping cycles for a second range of feedback signal values. In one embodiment, a switching regulator for a switched mode power supply includes a power switch coupled between drain and source terminals of the switching regulator, which are to be coupled to control the delivery of power to an output of a power supply. A control terminal of the switching regulator is to be coupled to an output of the power supply. The switching regulator includes a control circuit coupled to the control terminal and generates a feedback signal that is responsive to the output of the power supply. The control circuit also generates a drive signal that is coupled to control the switching of the power switch. The control circuit generates the drive signal responsive to the feedback signal. The drive signal has a fixed frequency for a first range of feedback signal values and at a variable frequency without skipping cycles for a second range of feedback signal values.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.