Efficient CMOS DC-DC converters based on switched capacitor power supplies with inductive current limiters

• US 6,429,632 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2000
• Issued: 08/06/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Ahn, Kie Y., Forbes, Leonard
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Rajnikant B.
• Application Number:
  US09/502,827
• Time in Patent Office: 907 Days
• Field of Search: 323/282, 323/272, 323/222, 363/59, 363/60, 363/21
• US Class Current: 323/282
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0029 Circuits or arrangements for limiting the slope of switching signals, e.g. slew rate
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/07 using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode , e.g. charge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/077 with parallel connected charge pump stages
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/158 including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load

Abstract

A novel class of DC to DC power converters and a method of conversion is provided using high-frequency switched capacitors where the switches are implemented by CMOS transistors or diodes on an integrated-circuit chip and using inductors to limit charging current. High efficiency is achieved using inductors to reduce energy losses in circuit capacitors by high frequency switching when inductor current is zero and capacitor voltage is maximized. The high-frequency (100 MHz or greater) operation of the converter circuit permits the use of inductors with a low inductance value on the order of 100 nH (100×10⁻⁹ Henrys) capable of fabrication directly on an integrated-circuit (IC) chip. The use of CMOS integrated components allows the entire converter to be formed on a single IC chip, saving significant space within the portable system. Output voltage and current is high enough to permit EEPROM programming. In addition, fluctuations in the output voltage (ripple voltage) are substantially eliminated when several of the converter circuits are used in parallel.

Claims

1. A DC to DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 mega Hertz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase, said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal.

2. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said charging inductor has an inductance value less than about 1 micro Henry.

3. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said switching frequency and an inductance value of said charging inductor are chosen such that there is substantially no current in said charging inductor when said switch circuit transitions from said charging phase to said transfer phase.

4. The DC converter of claim 1 further comprising an output filter connected to said switch circuit and said output terminal whereby said first capacitor transfers charge through said output filter to said output terminal during said transfer phase.

5. The DC converter of claim 4 wherein said output filter includes at least one output capacitor.

6. The DC converter of claim 4 wherein said output filter includes at least one output inductor and at least one output capacitor.

7. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and a ground potential, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and said ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said output terminal.

8. The DC converter of claim 7 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

9. The DC converter of claim 7 wherein said first switch and said second switch are transistors, and said third switch and said fourth switch are diodes.

10. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said input voltage is between about −

25 to +25 volts.

11. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said input voltage is less than or equal to about +5 volts.

12. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said input voltage is greater than or equal to about −

5 volts.

13. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said charging phase and said transfer phase do not overlap.

14. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein said charging inductor is an integrated circuit inductor.

15. The DC converter of claim 14 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a spiral inductor.

16. The DC converter of claim 14 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a double-stacked spiral inductor.

17. The DC converter of claim 14 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a solenoidal inductor.

18. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein the components of said converter are fabricated on at least one integrated circuit chip.

19. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein the converter, including said inductor, is fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.

20. The DC converter of claim 1 wherein the converter, excluding said inductor, is fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.

21. The DC converter of claim 8 or 9 wherein said transistors are CMOS transistors.

22. The DC converter of claim 1 further comprising at least one control terminal for receiving at least one control signal, said switch circuit operating at said switching frequency in response to said at least one received control signal.

23. A DC to DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase, said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal.

24. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said charging inductor has an inductance value of approximately 100 nH or less.

25. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said switching frequency is at least about 100 MHz.

26. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said switching frequency and an inductance value of said charging inductor are chosen such that there is substantially no current in said charging inductor when said switch circuit transitions from said charging phase to said transfer phase.

27. The DC converter of claim 23 further comprising an output filter connected to said switch circuit and said output terminal whereby said first capacitor transfers charge through said output filter to said output terminal during said transfer phase.

28. The DC converter of claim 27 wherein said output filter includes at least one output capacitor.

29. The DC converter of claim 27 wherein said output filter includes at least one output inductor and at least one output capacitor.

30. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and a ground potential, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and said ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said output terminal.

31. The DC converter of claim 30 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

32. The DC converter of claim 30 wherein said first switch and said second switch are transistors, and said third switch and said fourth switch are diodes.

33. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said input voltage is between about −

25 to +25 volts.

34. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said input voltage is less than or equal to about +5 volts.

35. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said input voltage is greater than or equal to about −

5 volts.

36. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein said charging inductor is an integrated circuit inductor.

37. The DC converter of claim 36 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a spiral inductor.

38. The DC converter of claim 36 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a double-stacked spiral inductor.

39. The DC converter of claim 36 wherein said integrated circuit inductor is a solenoidal inductor.

40. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein the components of said converter are fabricated on at least one integrated circuit chip.

41. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein the converter, including said inductor, is fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.

42. The DC converter of claim 23 wherein the converter, excluding said inductor, is fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.

43. The DC converter of claim 31 or 32 wherein said transistors are CMOS transistors.

44. The DC converter of claim 23 further comprising at least one control terminal for receiving at least one control signal, said switch circuit operating at said switching frequency in response to said at least one received control signal.

45. A DC to DC converter, comprising:

a charge transfer capacitor;

a terminal for receiving a DC source voltage;

a ground connection;

a first inductive circuit coupled to said terminal;

a second inductive circuit;

an output capacitor coupled between said second inductive circuit and said ground connection;

a switch circuit operative in a first mode to couple said terminal through said first inductive circuit to a first plate of said charge transfer capacitor and to couple said ground connection to a second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to enable said charge transfer capacitor to be charged by a DC voltage applied to said terminal, said switch circuit being operative in a second mode to couple said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said second inductive circuit and to couple said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said terminal to enable said output capacitor to be charged by an additive DC voltage formed by a DC voltage at said terminal and a DC voltage on said charge transfer capacitor.

46. A DC to DC converter, comprising:

a charge transfer capacitor;

a terminal for receiving a DC source voltage;

a ground connection;

a first inductive circuit coupled to said terminal;

a second inductive circuit;

an output capacitor coupled between said second inductive circuit and said ground connection;

a switch circuit operative in a first mode to couple said terminal through said first inductive circuit to a first plate of said charge transfer capacitor and to couple said ground connection to a second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to enable said charge transfer capacitor to be charged by a DC voltage applied to said terminal, said switch circuit being operative in a second mode to couple said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said ground connection and to couple said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said second inductive circuit to enable said output capacitor to be charged by a DC voltage on said charge transfer capacitor.

47. The DC to DC converter of claim 46 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said first inductive circuit and said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said ground connection, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said ground connection, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said second inductive circuit.

48. The DC to DC converter of claim 47 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

49. The DC to DC converter of claim 47 wherein said first switch and said second switch are transistors, and said third switch and said fourth switch are diodes.

50. The DC to DC converter of claim 46 further comprising at least one control terminal for receiving at least one control signal, said switch circuit operating at a switching frequency in response to said at least one received control signal.

51. The DC to DC converter of claim 46 wherein the components of said converter are fabricated on at least one integrated circuit chip.

52. A processor-based system comprising:

a processor; and

an integrated circuit coupled to said processor, at least one of said processor and said integrated circuit containing a DC power converter comprising;

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 MHz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal.

53. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said charging inductor has an inductance value less than about 1 micro Henry.

54. The processor-based system of claim 52 further comprising an output filter connected to said switch circuit and said output terminal whereby said first capacitor transfers charge through said output filter to said output terminal during said transfer phase.

55. The processor-based system of claim 54 wherein said output filter includes at least one output capacitor.

56. The processor-based system of claim 54 wherein said output filter includes at least one output inductor and at least one output capacitor.

57. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and said output terminal, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and a ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said input terminal.

58. The processor-based system of claim 57 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

59. The processor-based system of claim 57 wherein said first switch and said second switch are diodes, and said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

60. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and a ground potential, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and said ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said output terminal.

61. The processor-based system of claim 60 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

62. The processor-based system of claim 60 wherein said first switch and said second switch are transistors, and said third switch and said fourth switch are diodes.

63. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said input voltage is between about −

25 to +25 volts.

64. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said input voltage is less than or equal to about +5 volts.

65. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said input voltage is greater than or equal to about −

5 volts.

66. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said charging phase and said transfer phase do not overlap.

67. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein said charging inductor is an integrated circuit inductor.

68. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein the converter, excluding said inductor, is fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.

69. The processor-based system of claim 52 further comprising at least one control terminal for receiving at least one control signal, said switch circuit operating at said switching frequency in response to said at least one received control signal.

70. The processor-based system of claim 52 wherein the components of said converter are fabricated on at least one integrated circuit chip.

71. A processor-based system comprising:

a processor; and

an integrated circuit coupled to said processor, at least one of said processor and said integrated circuit containing a DC power converter comprising;

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal.

72. A method of voltage conversion, comprising the acts of:

receiving an input voltage from an input terminal;

outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage to an output terminal;

charging a first capacitor from said input terminal through a charging inductor during a charging phase;

transferring charge from said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase; and

alternating between said charging phase and said transfer phase at a switching frequency of about at least 100 MHz using a switch circuit, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during said charging phase, and coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during said transfer phase.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein said charging inductor has an inductance value less than about 1 micro Henry.

74. The method of claim 72 wherein said first capacitor transfers charge during said transfer phase through an output filter connected to said switch circuit and said output terminal.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein said output filter includes at least one output capacitor.

76. The method of claim 74 wherein said output filter includes at least one output inductor and at least one output capacitor.

77. The method of claim 72 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and said output terminal, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and a ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said input terminal.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

79. The method of claim 77 wherein said first switch and said second switch are diodes, and said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

80. The method of claim 72 wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and a ground potential, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and said ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said output terminal.

81. The method of claim 80 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

82. The method of claim 80 wherein said first switch and said second switch are transistors, and said third switch and said fourth switch are diodes.

83. The method of claim 72 wherein said input voltage is between about −

25 to +25 volts.

84. The method of claim 72 wherein said input voltage is less than or equal to about +5 volts.

85. The method of claim 72 wherein said input voltage is greater than or equal to about −

5 volts.

86. The method of claim 72 wherein said charging phase and said transfer phase do not overlap.

87. The method of claim 72 wherein said charging inductor is an integrated circuit inductor.

88. The method of claim 72 wherein said charging inductor is not an integrated circuit inductor.

89. The method of claim 72 further comprising the acts of receiving at least one control signal and operating said switch circuit at said switching frequency in response to said at least one received control signal.

90. The method of claim 72 wherein conversion is performed by at least one integrated circuit chip.

91. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 MHz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase, said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal and uncoupling said first capacitor from said input terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a first plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said first plate and said output terminal, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a second plate of said first capacitor and a ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said second plate and said input terminal.

92. The DC converter of claim 91 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

93. The DC converter of claim 91 wherein said first switch and said second switch are diodes, and said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

94. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 MHz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein during said charging phase, said switch circuit connects said input terminal to a positive plate of said first capacitor and a negative plate of said first capacitor to a ground potential, and during said transfer phase, said switch circuit connects said negative plate to said input terminal and said positive plate to said output terminal.

95. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 MHz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein during said charging phase, said switch circuit connects said input terminal to a positive plate of said first capacitor and a negative plate of said first capacitor to a ground potential, and during said transfer phase, said switch circuit connects said positive plate to said ground potential and said negative plate to said output terminal.

96. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor;

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency of at least about 100 MHz for coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal; and

at least a second charging circuit including at least a second capacitor and a second switch circuit connected in parallel with a first charging circuit including at least said first capacitor and said switch circuit, said switch circuits periodically connecting each of said parallel charging circuits to said output terminal.

97. The DC power converter of claim 96 wherein said output terminal is alternately connected periodically to each of said parallel charging circuits at a frequency of at least about 100 MHz.

98. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said input terminal and a positive plate of said first capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said positive plate and said output terminal, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between a negative plate of said first capacitor and a ground potential, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said negative plate and said input terminal.

99. The DC converter of claim 98 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

100. The DC converter of claim 98 wherein said first switch and said second switch are diodes, and said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

101. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein during said charging phase, said switch circuit connects said input terminal to a positive plate of said first capacitor and a negative plate of said first capacitor to a ground potential, and during said transfer phase, said switch circuit connects said negative plate to said input terminal and said positive plate to said output terminal.

102. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein during said charging phase, said switch circuit connects said input terminal to a positive plate of said first capacitor and a negative plate of said first capacitor to a ground potential, and during said transfer phase, said switch circuit connects said positive plate to said ground potential and said negative plate to said output terminal.

103. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor; and

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal;

wherein said charging phase and said transfer phase do not overlap.

104. A DC power converter comprising:

an input terminal for receiving an input voltage;

a charging inductor;

an output terminal for outputting an output voltage different from said input voltage;

a first capacitor;

a switch circuit operating at a switching frequency permitting said charging inductor to have an inductance value less than 1 micro Henry, said switch circuit coupling said input terminal to said first capacitor through said charging inductor during a charging phase, said first capacitor being charged during said charging phase,

said switch circuit coupling said first capacitor to said output terminal during a transfer phase whereby said first capacitor transfers charge to said output terminal; and

at least a second charging circuit including at least a second capacitor and a second switch circuit connected in parallel with a first charging circuit including at least said first capacitor and said switch circuit, said switch circuits periodically connecting each of said parallel charging circuits to said output terminal.

105. The DC power converter of claim 104 wherein said output terminal is alternately connected periodically to each of said parallel charging circuits at a frequency of at least about 100 MHz.

106. A DC to DC converter, comprising:

a charge transfer capacitor;

a terminal for receiving a DC source voltage;

a ground connection;

a first inductive circuit coupled to said terminal;

a second inductive circuit;

an output capacitor coupled between said second inductive circuit and said ground connection;

a switch circuit operative in a first mode to couple said terminal through said first inductive circuit to a first plate of said charge transfer capacitor and to couple said ground connection to a second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to enable said charge transfer capacitor to be charged by a DC voltage applied to said terminal, said switch circuit being operative in a second mode to couple said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said second inductive circuit and to couple said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor to said terminal to enable said output capacitor to be charged by an additive DC voltage formed by a DC voltage at said terminal and a DC voltage on said charge transfer capacitor;

wherein said switch circuit includes a first switch connected to open or close a first connection between said first inductive circuit and said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor, a second switch connected to open or close a second connection between said first plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said second inductive circuit, a third switch connected to open or close a third connection between said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said ground connection, and a fourth switch connected to open or close a fourth connection between said second plate of said charge transfer capacitor and said terminal.

107. The DC to DC converter of claim 106 wherein said first switch, said second switch, said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.

108. The DC to DC converter of claim 106 wherein said first switch and said second switch are diodes, and said third switch and said fourth switch are transistors.