Method for controlling a single input dual output dc-dc converter, corresponding converter and computer program product

A Single Input Dual Output (SIDO) converter, comprising:

• an input node;
• a positive output node;
• a negative output node;
• an inductor;
• a set of switches comprising a first switch coupling said input node of the converter to a first terminal of the inductor, a second switch coupling a second terminal of the inductor to ground, a third switch coupling the second terminal to said positive output node, and a fourth switch coupling the first terminal to a negative output node;
• and
• a control circuit configured to generate control signals for selectively actuating the first through fourth switches, wherein said control circuit generates the control signals to control said SIDO converter by a time-shared control where charge packets are independently served to each of the negative output and positive output according to conversion cycles wherein each conversion cycle comprises:
• during a positive phase:
• actuating only the first and second switches in a positive inductor charge phase followed by actuating only the third and fourth switches in a positive inductor discharge phase;
• and
• during a negative phase:
• actuating only the first and second switches in a negative inductor charge phase followed by actuating only the second and fourth switches in a negative inductor discharge phase;
• and
• wherein said control circuit further, during said positive phase between said positive inductor charge phase and positive inductor discharge phase, actuates only the first and third switches in an additional phase for a fixed time duration set as a function of a worst case of maximum discharge time.