Method and apparatus for a charge pump DC-to-DC converter having parallel operating modes
First Claim
1. A method of operating a DC-to-DC converter that includes a linear pass output circuit and a charge pump output circuit, the method comprising:
- in a first mode of operation, supplying output power via the linear pass output circuit;
in a second mode of operation, supplying the output power via the charge pump output circuit;
in a third mode of operation, supplying the output power via the linear pass and charge pump output circuits operating in parallel; and
dynamically switching between the first, second, and third modes of operation based on one or more detected operating conditions, including selecting the third mode of operation if the one or more detected operating conditions indicate that a more efficient one of the linear pass and charge pump output circuits can supply some but not all of the output power from the DC-to-DC converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one or more aspects of DC-to-DC voltage conversion as taught herein, a DC-to-DC converter selectively operates in a first mode wherein an included linear pass output circuit supplies the output power from the DC-to-DC converter, in a second mode wherein an included charge pump output circuit supplies the output power, and in a third mode wherein the linear pass and charge pump output circuits operate in parallel to supply the output power. With this third mode, also referred to as a “dual” mode, wherein the linear pass and charge pump output circuits operate in parallel, the DC-to-DC converter keeps the more efficient output circuit on after it has begun switching to operation with the less efficient output circuit. Such switchover may be performed dynamically in response to changing operating conditions. Detected operating conditions may include input voltages, output voltages, and output load conditions.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a DC-to-DC converter that includes a linear pass output circuit and a charge pump output circuit, the method comprising:
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in a first mode of operation, supplying output power via the linear pass output circuit; in a second mode of operation, supplying the output power via the charge pump output circuit; in a third mode of operation, supplying the output power via the linear pass and charge pump output circuits operating in parallel; and dynamically switching between the first, second, and third modes of operation based on one or more detected operating conditions, including selecting the third mode of operation if the one or more detected operating conditions indicate that a more efficient one of the linear pass and charge pump output circuits can supply some but not all of the output power from the DC-to-DC converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A DC-to-DC converter comprising:
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a linear pass output circuit; a charge pump output circuit; and a control circuit configured to selectively operate the DC-to-DC converter in a first, second, or third mode based on one or more detected operating conditions, wherein in the first mode the linear pass output circuit supplies output power from the DC-to-DC converter, in the second mode the charge pump output circuit supplies the output power, and in the third mode the linear pass and charge pump output circuits operate in parallel to supply the output power; and wherein the control circuit is configured to select the third mode of operation if the one or more detected operating conditions indicate that a more efficient one of the linear pass and charge pump output circuits can supply some but not all of the output power from the DC-to-DC converter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification