Voltage regulator that operates in either PWM or PFM mode

Abstract

A switching voltage regulator achieves high efficiency by automatically switching between a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) mode. Switching between the modes of voltage regulation is accomplished by monitoring the output voltage and the output current, wherein the regulator operates in PFM mode at small output currents and in PWM mode at moderate to large output currents. PFM mode maintains a constant output voltage by forcing the switching device to skip cycles when the output voltage exceeds its nominal value. In PWM mode, a PWM signal having a variable duty cycle controls the switching device. A constant output voltage is maintained by feedback circuitry which alters the duty cycle of the PWM signal according to fluctuations in the output voltage.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a voltage regulator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a high efficiency switching voltage regulator capable of operating in either one of two modes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTypically, voltage regulator circuits provide a constant output voltage of a predetermined value by monitoring the output and using feedback to keep the output constant. In a typical pulse width modulation (PWM) regulator circuit, a square wave is provided to the control terminal of the switching device to control its on and off states. Since increasing the on time of the switching device increases the output voltage, and vice versa, the output voltage may be controlled by manipulating the duty cycle of the square wave. This manipulation is accomplished by a control circuit which continually compares the output voltage to a reference voltage and adjusts the duty cycle of the square wave to maintain a constant output voltage.When the switc...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

A switching voltage regulator is disclosed which is capable of operating in either a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) or pulse-width modulation (PWM) mode. The voltage regulator achieves high efficiency by automatically choosing the more efficient mode of regulation based on a continuous monitoring of the output current and the output voltage. The regulator operates in PFM mode when the regulator generates a small output current and switches to PWM operation when the regulator generates a moderate to large output current.

A PFM mode of voltage regulation provides better efficiency at small output current levels than does a PWM mode. First, a PFM mode requires .[.a.]. fewer turn-on transitions to maintain a constant output voltage than does a PWM mode of voltage regulation, thus resulting in a lower gate-drive power dissipation for PFM mode. Second, since a PFM mode can be achieved with a much simpler control circuit having fewer components, the power dissipation in the control loop of a PFM mode is less than that of the control loop of a PWM mode.

Problems solved by technology

First, a PFM mode requires .[.a.]. fewer turn-on transitions to maintain a constant output voltage than does a PWM mode of voltage regulation, thus resulting in a lower gate-drive power dissipation for PFM mode.

However, when the output current reaches a moderate level, a PFM mode of voltage regulation becomes impractical, since the maximum output current available from a PFM mode is generally much less than that available from a PWM mode.

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