Single inductor multiple-input multiple-output switching converter and method of use
First Claim
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1. A voltage converter comprising:
- an inductor having a first end and a second end;
a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals;
a plurality of second switches, connected between the second end of the inductor and a plurality of second terminals;
a freewheel switch, coupled between the first and the second end of the inductor;
a first ground switch, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and
a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches, said plurality of second switches, said freewheel switch and said first ground switch, wherein the switch controller is arranged to connect a first one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times, and to connect a second one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times.
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Abstract
A single inductor multiple-input multiple-output (SI-MIMO) switching converter time-multiplexes different input power sources through only one inductor to provide multiple regulated output voltages, which can be used to power up different blocks of a portable electronic device (or whatever else it is used for) and at the same time to charge up a rechargeable battery. Power multiplexing is achieved by input switches that are also the switching elements of the switching converter, thus eliminating an additional power multiplexer.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A voltage converter comprising:
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an inductor having a first end and a second end; a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals; a plurality of second switches, connected between the second end of the inductor and a plurality of second terminals; a freewheel switch, coupled between the first and the second end of the inductor; a first ground switch, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches, said plurality of second switches, said freewheel switch and said first ground switch, wherein the switch controller is arranged to connect a first one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times, and to connect a second one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A voltage converter comprising:
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an inductor having a first end and a second end; a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals; at least one second switch, connected between the second end of the inductor and at least one second terminal; a first ground switch, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches, said at least one second switch and said first ground switch, wherein the switch controller is arranged to connect different ones of the first terminals to the at least one second terminal, through the inductor, at different times. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method of operating a voltage converter, wherein the converter comprises an inductor having a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals;
a plurality of second switches, connected between the second end of the inductor and a plurality of second terminals;
a first ground switch, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and
a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches;
the method comprising;closing a first one of the second switches, connected to a first one of the second terminals, and while the first one of the second switches is closed; closing a first one of the first switches, connected to a first one of the first terminals, to store energy in the inductor; and opening the first one of the first switches and closing the first ground switch, to transfer energy from the inductor to the first one of the second terminals; opening the first ground switch, opening the first one of the second switches and closing a second one of the second switches, connected to a second one of the second terminals, and while the second one of the second switches is closed; closing the first one of the first switches, to store energy in the inductor; and opening the first one of the first switches and closing the first ground switch, to transfer energy from the inductor to the first one of the second terminals.
- a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals;
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25. A method of operating a voltage converter, wherein the converter comprises an inductor having a first end and a second end;
- a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals;
a plurality of second switches, connected between the second end of the inductor and a plurality of second terminals;
a first ground switch, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and
a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches;
the method comprising;closing a first one of the second switches, connected to a first one of the second terminals, and while the first one of the second switches is closed; closing a first one of the first switches, connected to a first one of the first terminals, to store energy in the inductor; opening the first one of the first switches and closing the first ground switch, to transfer energy from the inductor to the first one of the second terminals; opening the first ground switch and closing a second one of the first switches, to store energy in the inductor; and opening the second one of the first switches and closing the first ground switch, to transfer energy from the inductor to the first one of the second terminals.
- a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals;
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26. A voltage converter comprising:
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an inductor having a first end and a second end; a plurality of first switches, connected between the first end of the inductor and a plurality of first terminals; a plurality of second switches, connected between the second end of the inductor and a plurality of second terminals; a first ground switch for inductor discharge, coupled between one of the ends of said inductor and a reference voltage; and a switch controller, coupled to drive on/off switching of said plurality of first switches, said plurality of second switches and said first ground switch, wherein the switch controller is arranged to connect a first one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times, and to connect a second one of the first terminals to a different one or more of the second terminals, through the inductor, at different times. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification