Single-inductor multiple-output dc-dc converter and a method for operating a single-inductor multiple-output dc-dc converter

Abstract

The invention relates to a single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) DC-DC converter (1), comprising: an electrical DC voltage source (Vs) switchable connected to an input node (ni) through an input switch (S1, S2); a plurality of loads (Ro1, Ro2, RoN) each being switchable connected to an output node (no) through one output switch (So1, So2, SoN) of a plurality of output switches (So1, So2, SoN), wherein the electrical DC voltage source (Vs) and the loads (Ro1, Ro2, RoN) are external to the SIMO DC-DC converter (1); an inductor (L) connected to the input node (ni) and the output node (no) and being configured to buffer energy; a control structure arranged to operate in consecutive cycles and being configured to generate control signals for the input switch (S1, S2) and the output switches (So1, So2, SoN), wherein the inductor (L) being energized and de-energized in one cycle of operation (Tcycle) for supplying the plurality of loads (Ro1, Ro2, RoN) with a set of currents (Iact) within the said cycle of operation (Tcycle), wherein the control structure being configured to section the cycle of operation (Tcycle) into a plurality of consecutive time segments (tup, tdown) with a duration, wherein in one time segment (tup) the inductor (L) being energized, wherein the duration of the one time segment (tup) being determined by the control structure prior to a start of the cycle of operation (Tcycle), based on a sum of the set of currents (Iact) suppliable to the plurality of loads (Ro1, Ro2, RoN). The invention also relates to a method for operating a SIMO DC-DC converter (1).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.