Low power inductorless DC-DC Regulator with capacitive charging/discharging

A switched-capacitor converter comprising:

• a supply voltage input for receiving a supply voltage;
• an output circuit comprising a load resistance and a load capacitance connected in parallel;
• a diode circuit comprising a first diode and a second diode connected in series at a diode junction point, said diode circuit being connected in parallel with said output circuit;
• first and second semiconductor switches connected in series at a switch junction point;
• said semiconductor switches being connected between said supply voltage input and said output circuit;
• and
• a flying capacitance connected across said second semiconductor switch and to said diode junction point;
• wherein said load capacitance is charged via said flying capacitance and said second diode when said first switch is ON and said second switch is OFF, and
• said load capacitance is discharged via said first diode and said flying capacitance when said first switch is OFF and said second switch is ON.

A control IC for controlling first and second semiconductor switches in a switched-capacitor converter comprising:

• a supply voltage input for receiving a supply voltage;
• an output circuit comprising a load resistance and a load capacitance connected in parallel;
• a diode circuit comprising a first diode and a second diode connected in series at a diode junction point, said diode circuit being connected in parallel with said output circuit;
• first and second semiconductor switches connected in series at a switch junction point;
• said semiconductor switches being connected between said supply voltage input and said output circuit;
• and
• a flying capacitance connected across said second semiconductor switch and to said diode junction point;
• wherein said load capacitance is charged via said flying capacitance and said second diode when said first switch is ON and said second switch is OFF, and
• said load capacitance is discharged via said first diode and said flying capacitance when said first switch is OFF and said second switch is ON;
• said control IC comprising:
• a high side well powered by said input supply voltage and including a first driver circuit connected for driving said first semiconductor switch;
• a floating well powered by said flying capacitor and including a second driver circuit connected for driving said second semiconductor switch;
• and
• a control circuit powered by an output voltage across said output circuit.