Hybrid linear-boost dc-dc converter with continuous input current regulation
AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.
InventorsBin Zhang, Hua Chen, Min Chen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus comprising a regulator circuit that includes a linear input current regulating circuit configured to regulate input current to the regulator circuit when an output voltage of the regulator circuit is less than an input voltage of the regulator circuit; and a switching regulating circuit configured to regulate the input current when the output voltage is greater than the input voltage and less than a target regulated output voltage and regulate the output voltage when the output voltage reaches the target regulated output voltage. The linear input current regulating circuit is also used to disconnect the input from output during shutdown.
Claims20
A regulator circuit comprising:
- a linear input current regulating circuit configured to regulate input current to the regulator circuit when an output voltage of the regulator circuit is less than an input voltage of the regulator circuit;
- and
- a switching regulating circuit configured to regulate the input current when the output voltage is greater than the input voltage and less than a target regulated output voltage and regulate the output voltage when the output voltage reaches the target regulated output voltage.
A method of operating a regulator circuit, the method comprising:
- operating the regulator circuit in a linear regulator mode that regulates input current to the regulator circuit when an output voltage of the regulator circuit is less than an input voltage of the regulator circuit;
- transitioning the regulator circuit to a boost converter mode that regulates the input current when the output voltage is greater than the input voltage and lower than a target regulated output voltage, and regulates the output voltage when the output voltage reaches the target regulated output voltage;
- and
- transitioning the regulator circuit back to the linear regulator mode when the output voltage of the regulator circuit decreases to less than the input voltage of the regulator circuit.
A charging circuit, the circuit comprising:
- an output capacitor;
- a linear input current regulating circuit configured to regulate input current to the charging circuit when the voltage of the output capacitor is less than the input voltage of the charging circuit;
- and
- a switching regulating circuit configured to regulate the input current when the output voltage is greater than the input voltage and lower than a target regulated output voltage, and regulate the output voltage when the output voltage reaches the target regulated output voltage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.