DC/DC Converter and method of operating a DC/DC converter

摘要

The invention relates to a DC/DC converter including a charge pump circuit comprising one or more capacitors and a plurality of controllable switches connected thereto, the controllable switches being controllable by a control circuit so that the capacitor(s) is/are alternatingly switched in a charging and discharge phase; a first current source set to a predetermined base current located either in the discharge or charging path of the charge pump circuit and a second current source connected in parallel thereto; and a regulator circuit for generating a first control signal representing the difference between a voltage characterizing the output voltage and a first reference voltage and controlling the second current source when the charge pump circuit is active so that the controllable current is reduced or increased with an increase and reduction respectively in the difference to track the voltage characterizing the output voltage in accordance with the first reference voltage; and for generating a second control signal guided to the control circuit, this signal assuming a first status when the voltage characterizing the output voltage exceeds a second reference voltage at a predetermined level above the first reference voltage, upon which the control circuit deactivates the charge pump circuit, and assumes a second status when the voltage characterizing the output voltage drops below the second reference voltage, upon which the control circuit activates the charge pump circuit. The invention relates further to a method of operating a DC/DC converter.