DC/DC voltage regulator with automatic current sensing selectability for linear and switch mode operation utilizing a single voltage reference
US7880456B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 15, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/0045
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A switch-mode DC/DC converter and a linear low drop out (LDO) DC/DC regulator are connected in parallel to drive a single load. Both regulators share a common voltage reference, feedback network, input supply and output such that the regulated voltage is identical during each mode of operation. During heavy loads the switch-mode regulator is in operation and the linear regulator is disabled for the highest efficiency possible. Conversely at light loads the linear regulator is in operation with the switch-mode regulator disabled, also maximizing the efficiency. Each regulator senses load current to automatically transition between the appropriate voltage regulators at fixed load current levels. The presented invention also includes a make before break transition scheme of the voltage regulators to minimize the voltage transients.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.