Current Metering For Transitioning Between Operating Modes In Switching Regulators

摘要

Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
generating pulse width modulated (PWM) charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage; detecting a skipped charging cycle; determining whether a selected number of charging cycles are skipped over a selected time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected; and transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the selected number of charging cycles are skipped over the selected time interval.