Analog Devices,inc.

Christian S Birk

A Paul Brokaw

Jeffrey G Barrow

Marc John Kobayashi

A switching voltage converter, suitably a boost converter, employs an n-type transistor, preferably an NMOS FET, as a series switch, with its drain coupled to the cathode of the converter's diode and its source coupled to the converter's output node. A charge pump driven by the converter's switching voltage provides a voltage Vat the NMOS FET's gate input sufficient to turn the FET on. A series switch controller is arranged to, in response to a control signal, hold the NMOS FET off such that the converter's output voltage Vis approximately zero regardless of the status of input voltage V, or allow the NMOS device to be turned on by V.

Boost converter with series switch

A dual voltage switch enables the generation of a pulse which toggles between user-provided first and second voltages (Vand V), for which the positive and/or negative slew rates are programmable by means of a user-provided capacitance. A first switch conducts a current Ibetween Vand a common output node in response to a first control voltage, and a second switch conducts a current Ibetween Vand the common output node in response to a second control voltage. A capacitance C is connected to the common output node. A control circuit alternately provides the first and second control voltages such that the common output node is pulled up to Vat a transfer rate of I/C when the first control voltage is provided, and pulled down to Vat a transfer rate of &#x2212;I/C when the second control voltage is provided.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Christian S Birk