Single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter and control method thereof

A single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter, comprising:

• a driving unit to store input current that is received from a single input node during a charging time duration and to transfer the stored input current to a plurality of output nodes during a discharging time duration;
• a load switch controller to supply current to a first output node among the plurality of output nodes during a first time length corresponding to the first output node within the discharging time duration, wherein the current is transferred by the driving unit;
• a comparison unit to compare an output voltage of the first output node with a reference voltage corresponding to the first output node;
• an on-time controller to increase the first time length when a counted number of current supplies exceeds a maximum number of current supplies;
• and
• an inductor peak current controller to control the peak value of input current.

A method of controlling a converter, the method comprising:

• selecting, by an output selection unit from a plurality of output nodes, a first output node to be supplied with current from a driving unit to provide an output voltage of the first output node and a reference voltage of the first output node to a hysteresis comparison unit;
• determining, by the hysteresis comparison unit, whether the output voltage of the first output node is higher than the reference voltage of the first output node by at least a first threshold, and whether the output voltage of the first output voltage is lower than the reference voltage of the first output voltage by at least a second threshold;
• counting, by a control unit, the number of current supplies to which current is supplied by the control unit to the first output node until a output value of a first comparator becomes to be higher than the reference voltage of the first output node by the first threshold after the output voltage of the first output node is lower than the reference voltage of the first output node by at least the second threshold;
• adjusting, by the control unit the first time length in accordance with the counted number of current supplies;
• and
• providing, by the control unit, an instruction signal instructing to modify a peak value of input current that is input to the driving unit without modifying the first time length.