Switching regulator input current sensing circuit, system, and method

Abstract

A Buck switching regulator includes first Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable to generate a first output voltage from an input voltage and operable to generate a first sensed voltage having a value that is proportional to an output current being provided by the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. The first Buck switching regulator circuitry receives an input current and operates at a first duty cycle determined by a duty cycle signal. Input current sensing circuitry includes second Buck switching regulator circuitry coupled to the first Buck regulator switching circuitry to receive the duty cycle signal and to receive the first sensed voltage as an input voltage to the second Buck switching regulator circuitry. The second Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable responsive to the duty cycle signal to generate a second output voltage from the first sensed voltage. The second output voltage has a value that is proportional to the input current being supplied to the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. Such a Buck switching regulator can be utilized in a variety of different types of electronic systems, such as laptop computer systems, and can also be used in charging systems in laptop computer and other types of electronic systems.