DC-DC CONVERTER WITH DISCONTINUOUS AND CONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODES

摘要

A switching DC to DC converter has an inductive component (L1), a switch control circuit, and a switch (SW1) controllable to cause the DC to DC converter to alternate between a magnetization phase in which an inductor current in the inductive component increases, and a demagnetization phase in which the inductor current decreases. The switch control circuit compares an inductor current to an intermediate threshold below a maximum inductor current, and compares an output voltage to a voltage threshold. The converter switches from the demagnetization phase to the magnetization phase when the inductor current has dropped below the intermediate threshold, and dependent on the output of the second comparator. This intermediate current threshold enables the conduction mode to be continuous at high loads and discontinuous at light loads.