SIMO based DC-DC converters for thermoelectric energy harvesting

A single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) power converter for converting an input voltage to generate an output voltage and a biasing voltage, the SIMO power converter comprising:

• an inductor configured to store energy from the input voltage;
• a primary power switch with a control node, connected between the inductor and the output voltage, wherein the primary power switch is configured to deliver a first part of the energy to the output voltage;
• and
• a control circuit configured to control the primary power switch, the control circuit comprising:
• an auxiliary power switch, connected between the inductor and the biasing voltage, wherein the auxiliary power switch is configured to deliver a second part of the energy to the biasing voltage;
• and
• a driver configured to drive the control node and to determine a signal level at the control node according to the biasing voltage, the biasing voltage performing as a power source for the driver;
• wherein the auxiliary power switch delivers the second part of the energy to the biasing voltage in response to a turn-on voltage of the primary power switch, the turn-on voltage being a voltage drop across a conduction channel of the primary power switch when the primary power switch is turned on.