IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO DC-DC CONVERTERS

摘要

This invention relates to methods and apparatus for control of DC-DC converters. The DC-DC converter (100) is operable so that the low side supply switch (20) may be inhibited from turning on in a cycle following the high side supply switch (10) turning off. Turn on of the low side switch is inhibited if the time between turn off of the high side switch (10) and the inductor (L) current reaching zero is less than a predetermined duration. Inhibiting the low side switch from turning on can prevent the inductor current from going negative, which would reduce the efficiency of the converter. When turn on of the low side switch is inhibited the inductor current flows through a parallel path, such as a parasitic body diode associated with the low side switch, which allows current flow in one direction only.