Programmable conduction mode control for switching circuits

A control system for controlling a switching circuit having a switching element and an inductive element coupled to an output of the switching element, the system comprising:

• a switching control circuit configured for controlling the switching element to operate the switching circuit in a first conduction mode of operation, in which current in the inductive element is maintained at a non-zero level during a first time period within each of successive switching cycles, in the first conduction mode, the switching element being controlled to turn on when the current in the inductive element falls to a zero level,
• the switching control circuit being further configured for controlling the switching element to operate the switching circuit in a second conduction mode of operation, in which the current in the inductive element is maintained at a non-zero level during a second time period within each of successive switching cycles, the first time period being different from the second time period, and
• a conduction mode control circuit for controlling a conduction mode of operation of the switching circuit so as to select between operation of the switching circuit in the first conduction mode and operation of the switching circuit in the second conduction mode.