Voltage converter

摘要

A voltage converter such as a DC-DC buck regulator includes a driver circuit that enables charge stored on the parasitic capacitance of a transistor switch to be transferred to a load capacitor. Hence, stored charge can be harvested for use by a load, thereby increasing efficiency of the regulator.

主权项

1. A voltage converter, comprising:
a semiconductor switch coupled to a first terminal of an inductor; a rectifier connected to the semiconductor switch and the first terminal of the inductor; a load capacitor connected to a second terminal of the inductor; and a driver circuit, connected to the load capacitor and the second terminal of the inductor, for driving a gate terminal of the semiconductor switch to turn the semiconductor switch on and off, wherein charge stored on a parasitic capacitance of the gate of the semiconductor switch is transferred to the load capacitor, and wherein the driver circuit comprises: a first transistor having a gate terminal that receives a first control signal, a source terminal that receives a supply voltage, and a drain terminal connected to the gate terminal of the semiconductor switch; and a second transistor having a drain terminal connected to the drain terminal of the first transistor, a gate terminal that receives a second control signal, and a source terminal connected to the load capacitor.