System and method for determining load current in switching regulators operable in pulse skipping mode

摘要

Novel circuitry and methodology for determining a load current in a switching regulator circuit operable in a pulse skipping mode of operation and having main and synchronous switches. The load current is determined based on a ratio of time when the synchronous switch is on in the pulse skipping mode to an average period of a switching cycle in the pulse skipping mode. The load current may be measured by a circuit that determines an average value of a switch control signal for controlling the synchronous switch. The load current determining circuit may comprise a low-pass filter for filtering the switch control signal proportional to an input voltage supplied to the switching regulator circuit.