US6452368B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit and method of operating a low-noise, on-demand regulator in switched or linear mode
Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC
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Filing: 2000-12-11
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Granted: 2002-09-17
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Expires: 2020-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A dual mode voltage converter ( 18 ) is provided which is capable of performing linear or switched modes of operation based on an external mode select signal presented to terminal (MODE). Pulse width modulation techniques are used to regulate voltage delivered to output terminal (V out ) when a mode control signal is present at terminal (MODE) and linear conversion techniques are used in the absence of the mode control signal. Stability of voltage converter ( 18 ) is enhanced during linear conversion mode by shorting switch ( 60 ) and BW rolloff circuit ( 44 ). An alternate embodiment of dual mode voltage converter ( 18 ) provides operation based on an internal mode select signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Christophe Basso
- 👤 Toby Kan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:12
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A voltage converter, comprising: a first multiplexer having a control input for receiving a control signal and an output for selecting a switching signal when the voltage converter is operating in a switching mode or a bandwidth rolloff signal when the voltage converter is operating in a linear mode; a first transistor having a control electrode coupled to an output of the first multiplexer for switching an inductor current at a first pin of the voltage converter to develop an output voltage at a second pin of the voltage converter when the voltage converter is operating in the switching mode; and a second transistor operating in response to the control signal for shorting the first pin to the second pin when the voltage converter is operating in the linear mode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A voltage converter, comprising: a first multiplexer having a control input for receiving a control signal and an output for selecting a switching signal when the voltage converter is operating in a switching mode or a bandwidth rolloff signal when the voltage converter is operating in a linear mode; a first transistor having a control electrode coupled to an output of the first multiplexer for switching an inductor current at a first pin of the voltage converter to develop an output voltage at a second pin of the voltage converter when the voltage converter is operating in the switching mode; and a second transistor operating in response to the control signal for shorting the first pin to the second pin when the voltage converter is operating in the linear mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The voltage converter of claim 1 , further comprising: a second multiplexer operating in response to the control signal and having an input for receiving an error signal indicative of a level of the output voltage; a comparator coupled to a first output of the second multiplexer for comparing the error signal with a ramp signal and producing the switching signal at an output; and a bandwidth rolloff circuit having an input coupled to a second output of the second multiplexer and an output for providing the bandwidth rolloff signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A voltage converter, comprising; a first transistor responsive to a switching signal for switching an inductor current at a first pin to develop an output signal at a second pin when the voltage converter operates in a switching mode; and a second transistor coupled for shorting the first pin to the second pin when the voltage converter operates in a linear mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A voltage converter, comprising; a first transistor responsive to a switching signal for switching an inductor current at a first pin to develop an output signal at a second pin when the voltage converter operates in a switching mode; and a second transistor coupled for shorting the first pin to the second pin when the voltage converter operates in a linear mode.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of providing a regulated voltage, comprising the steps of: switching an inductor current at a first pin of an integrated circuit to develop the regulated voltage at a second pin of the integrated circuit when the integrated circuit operates in a switching mode; and shorting the first pin to the second pin when the integrated circuit operates in a linear mode.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
A method of providing a regulated voltage, comprising the steps of: switching an inductor current at a first pin of an integrated circuit to develop the regulated voltage at a second pin of the integrated circuit when the integrated circuit operates in a switching mode; and shorting the first pin to the second pin when the integrated circuit operates in a linear mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising the steps of: routing the regulated voltage to a first node as a switching signal during the switching mode; and routing the regulated voltage to a second node as a bandwidth rolloff signal during the linear mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of multiplexing the regulated voltage with a control signal to produce the switching and bandwidth rolloff signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of switching includes the step of applying a switching signal to a first transistor to produce the inductor current.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of shorting includes the step of turning on a transistor with the control signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-16 | 2006-03-18 | 2006-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-16 | 2010-03-18 | 2010-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-16 | 2014-03-18 | 2014-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |