The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 07, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 27, 1998
Jeffrey Schenkel, Burlington, MA (US);
Linear Technology Corporation, Milpitas, CA (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to circuits and methods for improving the efficiency of step down switching regulators converting a high input voltage to a low output voltage. Furthermore, the present invention relates to circuits and methods to achieve such efficiency improvements while maintaining controllability during light output load conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the current mode switching regulator circuit includes a logic section, an output switch section controlled by the logic section, an oscillator for providing periodic timing signals to the logic section to turn the output switch ON, a feedback amplifier for developing an integrated error signal based on the output voltage, and a current comparator including an output, the current comparator for comparing the integrated error signal to the instantaneous value of the current in the output switch, the output of the comparator producing a signal which causes the logic section to turn the output switch OFF. Additionally, the output switch section is capable of delivering relatively faster voltage transitions under higher load conditions to minimize AC switching losses, and delivering relatively slower voltage transitions under lower load conditions to maintain controllability. A comparator circuit monitors load conditions via the current mode setpoint to determine proper output switch section operating mode.