Voltage converter

Abstract

A voltage converter is provided, comprising: first to fourth switches between a first voltage node and a ground node; fifth to eighth switches between the first voltage node and the ground node; a first floating capacitor between a first node and a second node, the first node between the first switch and the second switch, the second node between the third switch and the fourth switch; a second floating capacitor between a third node and a fourth node, the third node between the fifth switch and the sixth switch, the fourth node between the seventh switch and the eighth switch; a ninth switch between a second voltage node and a center node; a first inductor between the second node and a third voltage node; a center capacitor between the center node and the ground node; a tenth switch between the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a first capacitor between the third voltage node and the ground node; and a second capacitor between the second voltage node and the ground node.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0111440, filed on September 9, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Some example embodiments of the inventive concepts described herein relate to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to voltage converters configured to perform various step-down and step-up conversions. BACKGROUND

[0003] Electronic devices generate and use various levels of voltage therein. In particular, mobile devices using a battery, such as a smart phone and a smart tablet, can generate various levels of voltage due to the battery.

[0004] When a mobile device is connected to a charger, the mobile device can individually generate a voltage for charging the battery and a voltage to be supplied to internal components based on external power. In addition, in the case where the mobile device is connected to a device powered from the mobile device, such as an on-the-go (OTG) device, the mobile device can generate a voltage to be supplied to the external mobile device based on the voltage of the battery.

[0005] Because the mobile device generates various voltages, the mobile device can include a plurality of voltage converters. This causes an increase in cost for manufacturing the mobile device and an increase in size of the mobile device. SUMMARY

[0006] Some example embodiments of the inventive concepts provide voltage converters configured to perform various step-down and step-up conversions.

[0007] According to an example embodiment, a voltage converter includes: first through fourth switches sequentially connected between a first voltage node and a ground node; fifth through eighth switches sequentially connected between the first voltage node and the ground node and in parallel with the first through fourth switches; a first floating capacitor connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first switch and the second switch, the second node being between the third switch and the fourth switch; a second floating capacitor connected between a third node and a fourth node, the third node being between the fifth switch and the sixth switch, the fourth node being between the seventh switch and the eighth switch; a ninth switch connected between a second voltage node and a center node, the center node being a node to which a node between the second switch and the third switch and a node between the sixth switch and the seventh switch are commonly connected; a first inductor connected between the second node and a third voltage node; a center capacitor connected between the center node and the ground node; a tenth switch connected between the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a first capacitor connected between the third voltage node and the ground node; and a second capacitor connected between the second voltage node and the ground node.

[0008] According to an example embodiment, a voltage converter includes: first through fourth switches sequentially connected between a first voltage node and a ground node; fifth through eighth switches sequentially connected between the first voltage node and the ground node and in parallel with the first through fourth switches; a first floating capacitor connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first switch and the second switch, the second node being between the third switch and the fourth switch; a second floating capacitor connected between a third node and a fourth node, the third node being between the fifth switch and the sixth switch, the fourth node being between the seventh switch and the eighth switch; a ninth switch connected between a second voltage node and a center node, the center node being a node to which a node between the second switch and the third switch and a node between the sixth switch and the seventh switch are commonly connected; a first inductor connected between the first node and a third voltage node; a center capacitor connected between the center node and the ground node; a tenth switch connected between the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a first capacitor connected between the third voltage node and the ground node; and a second capacitor connected between the second voltage node and the ground node.

[0009] According to an example embodiment, a voltage converter includes a switched capacitor block connected between a first voltage node and a ground node, the switched capacitor block including a plurality of first switches and a plurality of capacitors; a path control block connected to a second voltage node, a third voltage node, and the switched capacitor block, the path control block including a plurality of second switches; and a passive element block connected to the second voltage node, the third voltage node, and the switched capacitor block, the passive element block including one or more capacitors and one or more inductors. In a first type of operation, the voltage converter receives a first voltage at the first voltage node, converts the first voltage, and transmits the converted first voltage to at least one of the second voltage node and the third voltage node. In a second type of operation, the voltage converter receives a second voltage at the first voltage node and transmits the second voltage to the second voltage node. In a third type of operation, the voltage converter receives a third voltage at the second voltage node, converts the third voltage, and transmits the converted third voltage to the first voltage node. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The above objects and features of the present inventive concept will become apparent from a detailed description of example embodiments of the present inventive concept with reference made to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 A voltage converter according to example embodiments of the present inventive concept is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 A voltage converter implemented according to a first example embodiment is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 A voltage converter set to a first mode is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 An example showing how switches are controlled according to a first type of operation of the first mode is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 A voltage converter modeled according to a first type of operation of the first mode is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 An example showing how switches are controlled according to a second type of operation of the first mode is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 A voltage converter modeled according to a second type of operation of the first mode is shown.

[0018] Figure 8 An example showing how switches are controlled according to a third type of operation of the first mode is shown.

[0019] Figure 9A voltage converter is shown modeled according to a third type of operation of the first mode.

[0020] Figure 10 A voltage converter is shown set to the second mode.

[0021] Figure 11 An example is shown illustrating how to control the switches according to a first type of operation of the second mode.

[0022] Figure 12 A voltage converter is shown modeled according to a first type of operation of the second mode.

[0023] Figure 13 An example is shown illustrating how to control the switches according to a second type of operation of the second mode.

[0024] Figure 14 A voltage converter is shown modeled according to a second type of operation of the second mode.

[0025] Figure 15 A method of operation of a voltage converter according to a first example embodiment is shown.

[0026] Figure 16 A voltage converter according to a second example embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 17 A voltage converter according to a third example embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 18 A voltage converter according to a fourth example embodiment is shown.

[0029] Figure 19 A voltage converter according to a fifth example embodiment is shown.

[0030] Figure 20 A voltage converter according to a sixth example embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 21 A voltage converter according to a seventh example embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 22 A voltage converter according to an eighth example embodiment is shown.

[0033] Figure 23 A computing system according to example embodiments of the inventive concept is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In the following, example embodiments of the inventive concept can be described in such detail and with such particularity that a person of ordinary skill in the art can readily implement the inventive concept.

[0035] Although the terms "same," "equal," or "identical" are used in the description of example embodiments, it is to be understood that there can be some inaccuracy. Thus, when an element is referred to as being the same as another element, it is to be understood that the element or value is the same as the other element within a desired range of manufacturing or operational tolerances (e.g., ±10%).

[0036] When the terms "about" or "substantially" are used in this specification in connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include manufacturing or operational tolerances (e.g., ±10%) around the stated numerical value. Additionally, when the words "generally" and "substantially" are used in connection with a geometric shape, it is intended that precision of the geometric shape is not required, but that the limits of the shape are within the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, whether or not a numerical value or shape is modified by "about" or "substantially," it will be understood that these values and shapes are to be interpreted to include manufacturing or operational tolerances (e.g., ±10%) around the stated numerical value or shape.

[0037] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as "at least one of," when preceding the

[0038] Figure 1 A voltage converter 10 according to example embodiments of inventive concepts is shown. Referring to Figure 1 The voltage converter 10 includes a switched capacitor block 11, a path control block 12, a passive element block 13, a control block 14, a first voltage node VN1, a second voltage node VN2, and a third voltage node VN3.

[0039] The switched capacitor block 11 can be connected to the first voltage node VN1, a ground node that supplies a ground voltage VSS thereto, the path control block 12, and the passive element block 13. The path control block 12 can be connected to the second voltage node VN2, the third voltage node VN3, the switched capacitor block 11, and the passive element block 13. The passive element block 13 can be connected to the second voltage node VN2, the third voltage node VN3, the ground node, the switched capacitor block 11, and the path control block 12.

[0040] The switched capacitor block 11 can include a switch connected between the first voltage node VN1 and a ground node, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the switch. The path control block 12 can change a connection relationship between the second voltage node VN2, the third voltage node VN3, and the switched capacitor block 11. The passive element block 13 can include passive elements such as capacitors and inductors.

[0041] The control block 14 can receive a control signal CTRL from an external device. The control block 14 can adjust a mode and an operation type of the voltage converter 10 in response to the control signal CTRL.

[0042] The voltage converter 10 can perform various step-down conversion and step-up conversion according to the mode and the operation type. For example, when a voltage is input to the first voltage node VN1, the voltage converter 10 can operate in a first mode. In the first mode, according to the operation type, the voltage converter 10 can reduce (e.g., decrease) a voltage of the first voltage node VN1, and can transmit the converted voltage to at least one of the second voltage node VN2 and the third voltage node VN3. In this case, the voltage converter 10 can operate as a step-down converter (e.g., a step-down transformer).

[0043] In the first mode, according to the operation type, the voltage converter 10 can transmit the voltage of the first voltage node VN1 to the second voltage node VN2 (or the third voltage node VN3) without converting the voltage of the first voltage node VN1.

[0044] When a voltage is input to the second voltage node VN2, the voltage converter 10 can be in a second mode. In the second mode, according to the operation type, the voltage converter 10 can increase (e.g., increase) a voltage of the second voltage node VN2, and can transmit the converted voltage to the first voltage node VN1. In this case, the voltage converter 10 can operate as a step-up converter (e.g., a step-up transformer).

[0045] The step-down conversion manner in which the voltage converter 10 reduces a voltage and the step-up conversion manner in which the voltage converter 10 increases a voltage can be selected according to the operation type. As such, the voltage converter 10 can be configured to operate as various step-down converters and step-up converters. Accordingly, the voltage converter 10 can replace various step-down converters and step-up converters.

[0046] Figure 2 A voltage converter 100 implemented according to a first example embodiment is illustrated. Referring to FIG. 1, the voltage converter 100 includes a switched capacitor block 11, a path control block 12, a passive element block 13, and a control block 14. Figure 2The voltage converter 100 can include an integrated circuit 110. The integrated circuit 110 can be connected with the outside through first to ninth pads P1 to P9. The integrated circuit 110 can include first to fourth switches SW1 to SW4 connected in series sequentially between the first pad P1 and the second pad P2.

[0047] The integrated circuit 110 can further include fifth to eighth switches SW5 to SW8 connected in parallel with the first to fourth switches SW1 to SW4, the fifth to eighth switches SW5 to SW8 being disposed between the first pad P1 and the second pad P2 and connected in series sequentially between the first pad P1 and the second pad P2.

[0048] A node between the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 and a node between the sixth switch SW6 and the seventh switch SW7 can be connected to form a center node NM. The center node NM can be connected to the sixth pad P6. A first node N1 between the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can be connected to the third pad P3. A second node N2 between the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 can be connected to the seventh pad P7.

[0049] A third node N3 between the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6 can be connected to the eighth pad P8. A fourth node N4 between the seventh switch SW7 and the eighth switch SW8 can be connected to the ninth pad P9.

[0050] The integrated circuit 110 can further include a ninth switch SW9 connected between the center node NM and the fourth pad P4 and a tenth switch SW10 connected between the fourth pad P4 and the fifth pad P5. The integrated circuit 110 can further include a switch controller SC generating first to tenth signals S1 to S10 for controlling the first to tenth switches SW1 to SW10. The switch controller SC can include a processing circuit such as hardware including a logic circuit or a hardware / software combination such as a processor executing software. For example, the processing circuit can more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc.

[0051] The voltage converter 100 can further include a first voltage node VN1 connected with the first pad P1, a second voltage node VN2 connected with the fourth pad P4, and a third voltage node VN3 connected with the seventh pad P7 through a first inductor L1. Each of the first to third voltage nodes VN1 to VN3 can be used to receive a voltage from the outside or output a voltage to the outside. The second pad P2 of the integrated circuit 110 can be connected with a ground node.

[0052] The voltage converter 100 may further include a first floating capacitor CF1 connected between the third pad P3 and the seventh pad P7, a center capacitor CM connected between the ground node supplied with ground voltage VSS and the sixth pad P6, a first inductor L1 connected between the seventh pad P7 and the third voltage node VN3, a first capacitor C1 connected between the fifth pad P5 and the ground node, a second capacitor C2 connected between the fourth pad P4 and the ground node, and a second floating capacitor CF2 connected between the eighth pad P8 and the ninth pad P9.

[0053] In the example embodiment, the first switch SW1 to the eighth switch SW8, the first floating capacitor CF1, the second floating capacitor CF2, and the center capacitor CM can constitute... Figure 1 The switched capacitor block 11. The ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 can constitute... Figure 1 Path control block 12.

[0054] The first capacitor C1, the second capacitor C2, and the first inductor L1 can constitute... Figure 1 Passive component block 13. The switch controller SC can be constructed... Figure 1 Control block 14. For simplicity, the path through which the control signal CTRL is transmitted to the switch controller SC is not shown.

[0055] In reference Figure 2 The above description discloses in detail the components included in integrated circuit 110, switched capacitor block 11, path control block 12, passive component block 13, and control block 14. However, the components included in each of integrated circuit 110, switched capacitor block 11, path control block 12, passive component block 13, and control block 14 may be changed or modified.

[0056] For example, a component mentioned as being included in one of the integrated circuit 110, the switched capacitor block 11, the path control block 12, the passive component block 13, and the control block 14 may be included in another component as part of another component.

[0057] Furthermore, at least one component may be removed from each of the components included in integrated circuit 110, switched capacitor block 11, path control block 12, passive component block 13, and control block 14. At least one additional component may be added to at least one of integrated circuit 110, switched capacitor block 11, path control block 12, passive component block 13, and control block 14.

[0058] Figure 3 A voltage converter 100a configured in first mode is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 3In the first mode, the voltage converter 100a can receive an input voltage VIN at the first voltage node VN1. The voltage converter 100a can use at least one of the second voltage node VN2 and the third voltage node VN3 as an output.

[0059] For example, the voltage converter 100a can output a first output voltage VO1 at the second voltage node VN2 and can output a second output voltage VO2 at the third voltage node VN3.

[0060] Figure 4 An example is shown that illustrates how the switches are controlled according to the first type of operation in the first mode. Figure 5 A voltage converter 100al is shown that is modeled according to the first type of operation in the first mode. Referring to Figure 3 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The ninth signal S9 remains at a high level and the ninth switch SW9 is on. Thus, the ninth switch SW9 is depicted as being shorted.

[0061] The tenth signal S10 remains at a low level and the tenth switch SW10 is off. Thus, the tenth switch SW10 is depicted as being open. The fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 are switched between a low level and a high level in synchronization with each other. Thus, the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7 are switched between on and off in synchronization with each other. For example, the duty cycle of the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 can be 50%.

[0062] The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 are switched between a low level and a high level in synchronization with each other. The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 can be switched complementary to the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 (i.e., the sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 can be complementary to the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7). Thus, the sixth switch SW6 and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched complementary to the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7 (i.e., the sixth switch SW6 and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched complementary to the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7).

[0063] In response to the fifth signal S5 to the eighth signal S8, the fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 operate as a switched capacitor voltage divider. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can adjust the level of the center voltage VM of the center node NM to be half of the level of the input voltage VIN.

[0064] ​The first signal S1 and the third signal S3 are switched between a low level and a high level in synchronization with each other. Accordingly, the first switch SW1 to the third switch SW3 can be switched in synchronization with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched in synchronization with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched to be complementary to the first signal S1 and the third signal S3. Accordingly, the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 can be switched in synchronization with each other, and can be switched to be complementary to the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3.

[0065] The third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1 can function as a step-down converter using the center voltage VM as an input. The third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1 can perform a step-down conversion on the center voltage VM (e.g., the first output voltage VO1) and can generate the second output voltage VO2.

[0066] The level of the second output voltage VO2 can vary according to the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4. The switching controller SC can adjust the level of the second output voltage VO2 by adjusting the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4. In Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B (where the ninth switch SW9 is on and the tenth switch SW10 is off), if D is equal to 0.5, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched in synchronization with each other, and the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, and the seventh switch SW7 can be switched in synchronization with each other and can be complementary to the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8, respectively.

[0067] As the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 increases or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 decreases, the level of the second output voltage VO2 can increase. Conversely, as the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 decreases or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 increases, the level of the second output voltage VO2 can decrease.

[0068] Because the first and third switches SW1 and SW3 and the second and fourth switches SW2 and SW4 are switched complementary to each other, the first to fourth switches SW1 to SW4 can reduce the ripple of the switched capacitor voltage division performed by the fifth to eighth switches SW5 to SW8. For example, the fifth to eighth switches SW5 to SW8 can function as a switched capacitor voltage divider of a first phase, and the first to fourth switches SW1 to SW4 can function as a switched capacitor voltage divider of a second phase.

[0069] In an example embodiment, the switch controller SC can adjust the duty cycle of the first and third signals S1 and S3 to 50%, and can adjust the duty cycle of the second and fourth signals S2 and S4 to 50%. In this case, the first to eighth switches SW1 to SW8 can function as a full 2-phase switched capacitor voltage divider, and thus, the ripple can be further suppressed. The level of the first output voltage VO1 can be half of the level of the input voltage VIN, and the level of the second output voltage VO2 can be half of the level of the first output voltage VO1.

[0070] Figure 6 An example is shown that illustrates how to control the switches according to the second type of operation in the first mode. Figure 7 A voltage converter 100a2 is shown that is modeled according to the second type of operation in the first mode. Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The ninth signal S9 remains low, and thus the ninth switch SW9 is open. Therefore, the ninth switch SW9 is depicted as open.

[0071] The tenth signal S10 remains high, and the tenth switch SW10 is closed. Therefore, the tenth switch SW10 is depicted as shorted. The sixth and seventh signals S6 and S7 can remain low, and thus the sixth and seventh switches SW6 and SW7 are open. Therefore, the sixth and seventh switches SW6 and SW7 are depicted as open.

[0072] The second, third, fifth, and eighth signals S2, S3, S5, and S8 can remain high, and thus the second, third, fifth, and eighth switches SW2, SW3, SW5, and SW8 are closed. Therefore, the second, third, fifth, and eighth switches SW2, SW3, SW5, and SW8 are depicted as shorted.

[0073] When the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, the fifth switch SW5, the eighth switch SW8, and the tenth switch SW10 are short-circuited and the sixth switch SW6, the seventh switch SW7, and the ninth switch SW9 are open-circuited, the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, and the second capacitor C2 can not contribute to the voltage conversion operation of the voltage converter 100a2. Therefore, in order to briefly describe the voltage conversion operation of the voltage converter 100a2, the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, and the second capacitor C2 are marked with an "X" in Figure 7

[0074] The first signal S1 is switched between a low level and a high level. Therefore, the first switch SW1 can be switched in synchronization with the first signal S1. The fourth signal S4 can be switched to be complementary to the first signal S1.

[0075] The first switch SW1, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1 can function as a step-down converter using the input voltage VIN as an input. The first switch SW1, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1 can perform a step-down conversion on the input voltage VIN and can generate the second output voltage VO2.

[0076] The level of the second output voltage VO2 can vary according to the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the fourth signal S4. The switching controller SC can adjust the level of the second output voltage VO2 by adjusting the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the fourth signal S4.

[0077] For example, as the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 increases or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the fourth signal S4 decreases, the level of the second output voltage VO2 can increase. Conversely, as the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 decreases or the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the fourth signal S4 increases, the level of the second output voltage VO2 can decrease.

[0078] The third voltage node VN3 is connected to the second voltage node VN2 through the fifth pad P5, the tenth switch SW10 which has been short-circuited, and the fourth pad P4. Therefore, the first output voltage VO1 can be the same as the second output voltage VO2. In an example embodiment, the tenth switch SW10 can be open, and thus the first output voltage VO1 can not be output.

[0079] Figure 8 An example illustrating how to control the switches according to the third type operation in the first mode is shown. Figure 9 ​A voltage converter 100a3 is shown modeled according to a third type of operation in a first mode. Referring to Figure 3 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 , the first signal S1, the second signal S2, the fourth signal S4, the fifth signal S5, the sixth signal S6, the eighth signal S8, and the ninth signal S9 remain high. Accordingly, the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, the sixth switch SW6, the eighth switch SW8, and the ninth switch SW9 are on, and are thus depicted as shorted.

[0080] The third signal S3, the seventh signal S7, and the tenth signal S10 remain low. Accordingly, the third switch SW3, the seventh switch S7, and the tenth switch SW10 are off, and are thus depicted as open. Under the third type of operation in the first mode, the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2, and the first inductor L1 can contribute nothing to the voltage conversion operation of the voltage converter 100a3. Accordingly, to briefly describe the voltage conversion operation of the voltage converter 100a3, the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, the first capacitor C1 and the second capacitor C2, and the first inductor L1 are marked with an “X” in Figure 9 .

[0081] The first voltage node VN1 is connected to the second voltage node VN2 through the center node NM, the ninth switch SW9 which has been shorted, and the fourth pad P4. That is, the voltage converter 100a3 can transfer an input voltage VIN received at the first voltage node VN1 to the second voltage node VN2 to be output as a first output voltage VO1. For example, the voltage converter 100a3 can bypass any switched capacitor divider circuit and provide the input voltage VIN of the first voltage node VN1 to the second voltage node VN2 without any voltage conversion.

[0082] In Figure 9 , the third voltage node VN3 is connected to the first voltage node VN1 through the first floating capacitor CF1 and the first inductor L1 and to the ground node through the first capacitor C1. Even though the first floating capacitor CF1, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1 are marked with an “X”, the marking X is conceptual (indicating that such components contribute nothing to the voltage conversion operation of the voltage converter 100a3) and does not indicate that the marked elements are not working. Accordingly, in a case where a device connected to the third voltage node VN3 desires a resonant circuit including the first floating capacitor CF1, the first inductor L1, and the first capacitor C1, the third voltage node VN3 can be a component of the desired resonant circuit.

[0083] In an example embodiment, the third voltage node VN3 can be electrically connected with the first voltage node VN1 when the tenth signal S10 remains high. The voltage converter 100a3 can be modified to bypass any switched capacitor divider circuit and provide the input voltage VIN to the third voltage node VN3 by keeping the tenth signal S10 high such that the tenth switch SW10 is on.

[0084] In the above example embodiments, elements viewed with the “X” are described as not contributing to the voltage conversion operation. However, elements can contribute to at least a portion of the operation of the voltage converter in a form that contributes to voltage stabilization, and such contributions are not described in detail for the sake of simplicity.

[0085] Figure 10 A voltage converter 100b set to the second mode is shown. Referring to Figure 10 In the second mode, the voltage converter 100b can receive the input voltage VIN at the second voltage node VN2. The voltage converter 100b can use the first voltage node VN1 as an output. For example, the voltage converter 100b can output a first output voltage VO1 at the first voltage node VN1.

[0086] Figure 11 An example showing how to control the switches according to the first type of operation in the second mode is shown. Figure 12 A voltage converter 100b1 modeled according to the first type of operation in the second mode is shown. Referring to Figure 10 Figure 11 and Figure 12 The ninth signal S9 remains high, thus the ninth switch SW9 is on. Therefore, the ninth switch SW9 is depicted as a short circuit.

[0087] The tenth signal S10 is low, thus the tenth switch SW10 is off. Therefore, the tenth switch SW10 is depicted as an open circuit. The fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 are switched between low and high synchronously with each other. Therefore, the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7 are switched between off and on synchronously with each other. For example, the duty cycle of the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 can be 50%.

[0088] The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 are switched between low and high synchronously with each other. The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 can be switched to be complementary to the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7. Therefore, the sixth switch SW6 and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched to be complementary to the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7.

[0089] ​In response to the fifth signal S5 to the eighth signal S8, the fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 operate as a switched capacitor voltage doubler. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can double the voltage of the input voltage VIN transmitted to the center node NM, and can output the doubled voltage as the first output voltage VO1 through the first voltage node VN1.

[0090] The first signal S1 and the third signal S3 are switched between a low level and a high level in synchronization with each other. Accordingly, the first switch SW1 to the third switch SW3 can be switched in synchronization with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched in synchronization with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched to be complementary to the first signal S1 and the third signal S3. Accordingly, the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 can be switched in synchronization with each other, and can be switched to be complementary to the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3. For example, a duty ratio of each of the first signal S1 to the fourth signal S4 can be 50%. In Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched in synchronization with each other, and the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, and the seventh switch SW7 can be switched in synchronization with each other and can be complementary to the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8, respectively.

[0091] The first signal S1 and the third signal S3 can be synchronized with the sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be synchronized with the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can operate as a voltage doubler of a first phase, and the first switch SW1 to the fourth switch SW4 can operate as a voltage doubler of a second phase. That is, the voltage converter 100b can operate as a 2-phase voltage doubler. Accordingly, a ripple of the first output voltage VO1 can be suppressed.

[0092] Figure 13 An example illustrating how to control the switches according to the second type of operation in the second mode is shown. Figure 14 A voltage converter 100b2 modeled according to the second type of operation in the second mode is shown. Referring to Figure 10 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 The ninth signal S9 remains at a low level, and thus the ninth switch SW9 is open. Accordingly, the ninth switch SW9 is depicted as an open circuit.

[0093] The tenth signal S10 remains high, and thus the tenth switch SW10 is on. Thus, the tenth switch SW10 is depicted as shorted. The fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 are switched between low and high synchronously with each other. Thus, the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7 are switched (or commutated) between off and on synchronously with each other. For example, the duty cycle of the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7 can be 50%.

[0094] The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 are switched between low and high synchronously with each other. The sixth signal S6 and the eighth signal S8 can be switched complementary to the fifth signal S5 and the seventh signal S7. Thus, the sixth switch SW6 and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched complementary to the fifth switch SW5 and the seventh switch SW7.

[0095] The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 operate as a switched capacitor voltage doubler in response to the fifth signal S5 to the eighth signal S8. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can double the voltage of the center voltage VM of the center node NM, and can output the doubled voltage as the first output voltage VO1 through the first voltage node VN1.

[0096] The first signal S1 and the third signal S3 are switched between low and high synchronously with each other. Thus, the first switch SW1 to the third switch SW3 can be switched synchronously with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched synchronously with each other. The second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 can be switched complementary to the first signal S1 and the third signal S3. Thus, the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 can be switched synchronously with each other, and can be switched complementary to the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3. The third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the center capacitor CM can operate as a boost converter that boosts (or increases) the input voltage VIN of the second voltage node VN2. The third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor L1, and the center capacitor CM can perform a boost conversion on the input voltage VIN and can generate the center voltage VM.

[0097] The level of the center voltage VM can vary according to the duty cycle “1-D” (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3, or the duty cycle “D” (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4. The switch controller SC can adjust the level of the center voltage VM by adjusting the duty cycle “1-D” (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3, or the duty cycle “D” (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4.

[0098] As the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 increases or the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 decreases, the level of the center voltage VM can decrease. Conversely, as the duty "1-D" (or duty ratio) of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 decreases or the duty "D" (or duty ratio) of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 increases, the level of the center voltage VM can increase. Figure 13 and Figure 14 In the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, if D is equal to 0.5, the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8 can be switched in synchronization with each other, and the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, the fifth switch SW5, and the seventh switch SW7 can be switched in synchronization with each other and can be complementary to the first switch SW1, the third switch SW3, the sixth switch SW6, and the eighth switch SW8, respectively.

[0099] That is, the first switch SW1 to the fourth switch SW4 can perform a boost conversion on the input voltage VIN of the second voltage node VN2 and can generate the center voltage VM. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can double the center voltage VM, and can output the doubled voltage as the first output voltage VO1 through the first voltage node VN1. The level of the first output voltage VO1 can be equal to or greater than twice the level of the input voltage VIN.

[0100] Because the first switch SW1 and the third switch SW3 and the second switch SW2 and the fourth switch SW4 are switched to be complementary to each other, the first switch SW1 to the fourth switch SW4 can reduce a ripple due to a switched capacitor voltage doubler operation performed by the fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8. For example, the fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can function as a switched capacitor voltage doubler of a first phase, and the first switch SW1 to the fourth switch SW4 can function as a switched capacitor voltage doubler of a second phase.

[0101] In the example embodiment, the switch controller SC can adjust the duty ratio of the first signal S1 and the third signal S3 to 50%, and can adjust the duty ratio of the second signal S2 and the fourth signal S4 to 50%. In this case, the first switch SW1 to the eighth switch SW8 can function as a full 2-phase switched capacitor voltage doubler, and thus, a ripple can be further suppressed.

[0102] Figure 15 An operation method of the voltage converter 100 according to the first example embodiment is shown. Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 15In operation S110, the voltage converter 100 can perform a first type operation of the first mode. Under the first type operation of the first mode, the voltage converter 100 can halve the voltage of the first voltage node VN1 and can output the halved voltage to the second voltage node VN2. In addition, the voltage converter 100 can perform a step-down conversion on the halved voltage and can output the converted voltage to the third voltage node VN3.

[0103] In operation S120, the voltage converter 100 can perform a second type operation of the first mode. Under the second type operation of the first mode, the voltage converter 100 can perform a step-down conversion on the voltage of the first voltage node VN1 and can output the converted voltage to the third voltage node VN3 (and / or the second voltage node VN2).

[0104] In operation S130, the voltage converter 100 can perform a third type operation of the first mode. Under the third type operation of the first mode, the voltage converter 100 can transmit the voltage of the first voltage node VN1 to the second voltage node VN2.

[0105] In operation S140, the voltage converter 100 can perform a first type operation of the second mode. Under the first type operation of the second mode, the voltage converter 100 can double the voltage of the second voltage node VN2 and can output the doubled voltage to the first voltage node VN1.

[0106] In operation S150, the voltage converter 100 can perform a second type operation of the second mode. Under the second type operation of the second mode, the voltage converter 100 can perform a step-up conversion on the voltage of the second voltage node VN2 to generate a step-up voltage. In addition, the voltage converter 100 can double the step-up voltage and can output the doubled voltage to the first voltage node VN1.

[0107] As described above, the voltage converter 100 can be configured to perform various step-down conversions, step-up conversions, and bypass transmissions. Accordingly, the voltage converter 100 can be usable in various environments with high flexibility and can be used to replace a plurality of voltage converters.

[0108] For example, in the first type operation of the first mode, the first type operation of the second mode, and the second type operation of the second mode, each of the first voltage node VN1 to the third voltage node VN3 is connected to a ground node through at least two switches. Accordingly, the voltage level that each switch must withstand can be reduced to half of the level of the maximum voltage used in the voltage converter 100, and thus the breakdown characteristics of each switch can be improved.

[0109] In example embodiments, the switches used in the voltage converter 100 can be implemented using NMOS transistors, PMOS transistors, or a combination thereof. Depending on the environment in which the voltage converter 100 is used and the desired form factor, the switches can be implemented by NMOS transistors, PMOS transistors, or a combination thereof.

[0110] Figure 16 A voltage converter 200 according to a second example embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 210 of the voltage converter 200 can be the same or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. Figure 2 The integrated circuit 210 of the voltage converter 200 can be the same or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. As with the voltage converter 100, Figure 2 In comparison to the voltage converter 100, the voltage converter 200 further comprises a second inductor L2 connected to the ninth pad P9 and a wiring connecting the second inductor L2 and the third voltage node VN3.

[0111] The switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10 such that the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are always off. Thus, in Figure 16 In the voltage converter 200, the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with an "X".

[0112] As described with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor LI, and the first capacitor CI can operate as a buck converter of a first phase. The seventh switch SW7, the eighth switch SW8, the second inductor L2, and the first capacitor CI can operate as a buck converter of a second phase.

[0113] That is, the voltage converter 200 can operate as a 2-phase buck converter. The switch controller SC can control the first signal S1 to the eighth signal S8 such that the voltage converter 200 operates as a 2-phase buck converter.

[0114] For example, the switch controller SC can control the first signal S1, the second signal S2, the fifth signal S5, and the sixth signal S6 such that the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6 are synchronized with the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the seventh switch SW7, and the eighth switch SW8, respectively. In some example embodiments, the switch controller SC can control the first signal S1, the second signal S2, the fifth signal S5, and the sixth signal S6 such that the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6 remain in an on state.

[0115] For another example, as described with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7As described, the switch controller SC can implement a buck converter for the first phase by complementary switching of the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 while keeping the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 on. The switch controller SC can implement a buck converter for the second phase by complementary switching of the fifth switch SW5 and the eighth switch SW8 while keeping the sixth switch SW6 and the seventh switch SW7 on.

[0116] In an example embodiment, when integrated circuit 210 is configured to operate as a 2-phase buck converter, components that do not contribute to the conversion function of the 2-phase buck converter (e.g., the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, and the second capacitor C2) can be removed. For example, integrated circuit 210 can be implemented as a 2-phase buck converter by connecting the first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2 and the first capacitor C1 to integrated circuit 210.

[0117] In an example embodiment, the voltage converter 200 can be implemented as a two-phase boost converter. When voltage is input from the third voltage node VN3, the voltage converter 200 can boost the input voltage and output a boosted voltage at the first voltage node VN1. For example, the second inductor L2 and the center capacitor CM can form a first-phase boost converter together with the switched seventh switch SW7 and the eighth switch SW8, and the first inductor L1 and the center capacitor CM can form a second-phase boost converter together with the switched third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4.

[0118] Figure 8 A voltage converter 300 according to a third exemplary embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 310 of the voltage converter 300 can be used with... Figure 9 The voltage converter 100 has the same or substantially similar integrated circuit 110 as the integrated circuit 110. Figure 19 Compared to voltage converter 100, voltage converter 300 may further include a third inductor L3 connected to the ninth pad P9, an eleventh switch SW11 connected between the third inductor L3 and the third voltage node VN3, a fourth voltage node VN4 connected to the third inductor L3, and a third capacitor C3 connected between the fourth voltage node VN4 and the ground node.

[0119] For reference Figure 2 As described, the switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10, causing the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 to always be open. Therefore, in Figure 18 In the middle, the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with "×".

[0120] The eleventh switch SW11 can be controlled by the switch controller SC. In some example embodiments, the eleventh switch SW11 can be included within the integrated circuit 310 and can be connected to an external element through a pad. When the eleventh switch SW11 is on, the voltage converter 300 can operate as a 2-phase buck converter (or a 2-phase boost converter) (refer to Figure 19 ).

[0121] When the eleventh switch SW11 is off, the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4 can operate as one buck converter together with the first inductor L1 and the first capacitor C1, and the seventh switch SW7 and the eighth switch SW8 can operate as another buck converter together with the third inductor L3 and the third capacitor C3. That is, the voltage converter 300 can operate as two buck converters.

[0122] The buck converter including the seventh switch SW7 and the eighth switch SW8 can output the second output voltage VO2 through the fourth voltage node VN4. In example embodiments, in a case where the eleventh switch SW11 is removed from the voltage converter 300, the mode in which the voltage converter 300 operates as a 2-phase buck converter can be removed, and the voltage converter 300 can operate as only two buck converters. Some components that do not contribute to the voltage conversion operation can be removed.

[0123] Figure 4 A voltage converter 400 according to a fourth example embodiment is illustrated. The integrated circuit 410 of the voltage converter 400 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100 of Figure 5 As compared with the voltage converter 100 of Figure 6 , the first inductor L1 and the third voltage node VN3 of the voltage converter 400 can be connected to the third pad P3 instead of the seventh pad P7.

[0124] As described with reference to Figure 7 , the voltage converter 400 can operate in a first mode in which the input voltage VIN is received at the first voltage node VN1. Further, as described with reference to Figure 20 and Figure 2 , the voltage converter 400 can perform a first type of operation of the first mode.

[0125] In the first type of operation of the first mode, the fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can operate as a switched capacitor voltage divider. The fifth switch SW5 to the eighth switch SW8 can output a voltage corresponding to half of the input voltage VIN as the first output voltage VO1 through the second voltage node VN2.

[0126] Further, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can perform a step-down conversion on the input voltage VIN. The first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can output the reduced voltage as a second output voltage VO2 at the third voltage node VN3. The second output voltage VO2 can have a level between the first output voltage VO1 and the input voltage VIN.

[0127] As described with reference to Figure 18 and Figure 19 , the voltage converter 400 can perform a second type of operation in the first mode. Under the second type of operation in the first mode, the voltage converter 400 can perform a step-down conversion on the input voltage VIN and can output the reduced voltage as the first output voltage VO1 and the second output voltage VO2 at the second voltage node VN2 and the third voltage node VN3, respectively.

[0128] As described with reference to Figure 20 and Figure 19 , the voltage converter 400 can perform a third type of operation in the first mode. Under the third type of operation in the first mode, the voltage converter 400 can bypass any switched capacitor divider circuit and output the input voltage VIN to the second voltage node VN2 without any voltage conversion.

[0129] Figure 19 A voltage converter 500 according to a fifth example embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 510 of the voltage converter 500 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100 of Figure 21 In comparison to the voltage converter 400 of Figure 2 , the voltage converter 500 further includes a second inductor L2 connected to the eighth pad P8 and a wiring connecting the second inductor L2 and the third voltage node VN3.

[0130] The switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10 such that the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are always off. Thus, in Figure 2 , the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with “X”.

[0131] As described with reference to Figure 19 and Figure 21 , the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the first inductor LI, and the first capacitor C1 can operate as a step-down converter of a first phase. The seventh switch SW7, the eighth switch SW8, the second inductor L2, and the first capacitor C1 can operate as a step-down converter of a second phase.

[0132] That is, the voltage converter 500 can operate as a 2-phase buck converter. The switch controller SC can control the first signal S1 to the eighth signal S8 so that the voltage converter 500 operates as a 2-phase buck converter.

[0133] For example, the switch controller SC can control the first signal S1, the second signal S2, the fifth signal S5, and the sixth signal S6 so that the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6 are synchronized with the third switch SW3, the fourth switch SW4, the seventh switch SW7, and the eighth switch SW8, respectively. In some example embodiments, the switch controller SC can control the first signal S1, the second signal S2, the fifth signal S5, and the sixth signal S6 so that the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5, and the sixth switch SW6 maintain an on state.

[0134] For another example, as described with reference to Figure 6 and Figure 7 the switch controller SC can implement a buck converter of the first phase by complementarily switching the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 while the second switch SW2 and the third switch SW3 maintain an on state. The switch controller SC can implement a buck converter of the second phase by complementarily switching the fifth switch SW5 and the eighth switch SW8 while the sixth switch SW6 and the seventh switch SW7 maintain an on state.

[0135] In example embodiments, in a case where the voltage converter 500 is configured to operate as a 2-phase buck converter, components that do not contribute to the conversion function of the 2-phase buck converter (e.g., the first floating capacitor CF1 and the second floating capacitor CF2, the center capacitor CM, and the second capacitor C2) can be removed. That is, the integrated circuit 510 can be implemented as a 2-phase buck converter by connecting the first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2 and the first capacitor C1 to the integrated circuit 510.

[0136] In example embodiments, the voltage converter 500 can be implemented as a 2-phase boost converter. In this case, one capacitor (e.g., a boost capacitor (not shown)) can be further connected between the first pad P1 and the ground node. When a voltage is input from the third voltage node VN3, the voltage converter 500 can boost the input voltage and can output the boosted voltage at the first voltage node VN1.

[0137] For example, the second inductor L2 and the boost capacitor can form a boost converter of the first phase together with the switched fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6, and the first inductor L1 and the boost capacitor can form a boost converter of the second phase together with the switched first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2.

[0138] Figure 6 A voltage converter 600 according to a sixth example embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 610 of the voltage converter 600 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. Figure 7 The integrated circuit 710 of the voltage converter 700 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. Figure 22 The voltage converter 600 can further include a third inductor L3 connected to the eighth pad P8, an eleventh switch SW11 connected between the third inductor L3 and a third voltage node VN3, a fourth voltage node VN4 connected to the third inductor L3, and a third capacitor C3 connected between the fourth voltage node VN4 and the ground node, as compared with the voltage converter 400.

[0139] As described with reference to Figure 2 The switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10 so that the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are always off. Thus, in Figure 18 , the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with “X”.

[0140] The eleventh switch SW11 can be controlled by the switch controller SC. The eleventh switch SW11 can be included within the integrated circuit 610 and can be connected with external elements through pads. When the eleventh switch SW11 is on, the voltage converter 600 can operate as a 2-phase buck converter (or a 2-phase boost converter) (refer to Figure 19 ).

[0141] When the eleventh switch SW11 is off, the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 can operate as one buck converter together with the first inductor L1 and the first capacitor C1, and the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6 can operate as another buck converter together with the third inductor L3 and the third capacitor C3. That is, the voltage converter 600 can operate as two buck converters.

[0142] The buck converter including the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6 can output a second output voltage VO2 through the fourth voltage node VN4. In an example embodiment, in a case where the eleventh switch SW11 is removed from the voltage converter 600, the voltage converter 600 is not operable as a 2-phase buck converter and can be operable as only two buck converters. As described with reference to Figure 21 Some components that do not contribute to the voltage conversion operation can be removed.

[0143] Figure 6 A voltage converter 700 according to a seventh example embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 710 of the voltage converter 700 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. Figure 7 The integrated circuit 710 of the voltage converter 700 can be the same as or substantially similar to the integrated circuit 110 of the voltage converter 100. Figure 6Compared to voltage converter 100, voltage converter 700 may further include a third inductor L3 connected to the eighth pad P8, a fourth voltage node VN4 connected to the third inductor L3, and a third capacitor C3 connected between the fourth voltage node VN4 and the ground node.

[0144] For reference Figure 7 As described, the switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10, causing the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 to always be open. Therefore, in Figure 23 In the middle, the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with "×".

[0145] The first inductor L1 and the first capacitor C1 can be switched complementaryly with the third switch SW3 and the fourth switch SW4, or the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 can be switched complementaryly (see reference). Figure 23 and Figure 2 Together, they operate as a buck converter. The buck converter can output a first output voltage VO1 at the third voltage node VN3. The first output voltage VO1 can be adjusted within a range between ground voltage and half of the input voltage VIN.

[0146] The third inductor L3 and the third capacitor C3 can be switched complementaryly with the fifth switch SW5 and the sixth switch SW6, or with the fifth switch SW5 and the eighth switch SW8 (see reference). Figure 18 and ​ Together, they operate as another buck converter. This other buck converter can output a second output voltage VO2 at the fourth voltage node VN4. The second output voltage VO2 can be adjusted within a range between half of the input voltage VIN and the input voltage VIN.

[0147] ​ A voltage converter 800 according to an eighth example embodiment is shown. The integrated circuit 810 of the voltage converter 800 can be used with… ​ The voltage converter 100 has the same or substantially similar integrated circuit 110 as the integrated circuit 110. ​ Compared to voltage converter 400, voltage converter 800 may further include a third inductor L3 connected to the ninth pad P9, a fourth voltage node VN4 connected to the third inductor L3, and a third capacitor C3 connected between the fourth voltage node VN4 and the ground node.

[0148] For reference ​ As described, the switch controller SC can control the ninth signal S9 and the tenth signal S10, causing the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 to always be open. Therefore, in ​In this case, the ninth switch SW9 and the tenth switch SW10 are depicted together with the "X".

[0149] The first inductor L1 and the first capacitor C1 can operate as one buck converter together with the first switch SW1 and the second switch SW2 or the first switch SW1 and the fourth switch SW4 (refer to ​ and ​ ) that are complementarily switched. The one buck converter can output the first output voltage VO1 at the third voltage node VN3. The first output voltage VO1 can be regulated in a range between half of the input voltage VIN and the input voltage VIN.

[0150] The third inductor L3 and the third capacitor C3 can operate as another buck converter together with the seventh switch SW7 and the eighth switch SW8 or the fifth switch SW5 and the eighth switch SW8 (refer to ​ and ​ ) that are complementarily switched. The another buck converter can output the second output voltage VO2 at the fourth voltage node VN4. The second output voltage VO2 can be regulated in a range between the ground voltage and half of the input voltage VIN.

[0151] As described above, the integrated circuit according to the embodiments of the inventive concept can be connected with various components, and thus can be implemented as various voltage converters. Accordingly, the flexibility of the voltage converter can be improved, and a plurality of voltage converters can be replaced.

[0152] ​ A computing system 1000 according to an example embodiment of the inventive concept is illustrated. Referring to ​ , the computing system 1000 can include a mobile device 1100, a power device 1200, and an on-the-go (OTG) device 1300.

[0153] The mobile device 1100 can include a processor 1110, a connector (CON) 1120, a detector 1130, a voltage converter 1140, a battery 1150, and a battery power regulator 1160.

[0154] The processor 1110 can control components of the mobile device 1100, and can execute various codes, operating systems, firmware, and applications for the purpose of driving the mobile device 1100. The processor 1110 can include an application processor (AP).

[0155] The connector (CON) 1120 can be connected with an external device. For example, the connector 1120 can include a structure and a protocol conforming to a universal serial bus (USB) standard.

[0156] The detector 1130 can detect whether power is supplied from an external device through the connector 1120. When it is determined that power is supplied from the external device, the detector 1130 can transmit a detection signal DET to the processor 1110. In addition, the detector 1130 can detect whether the OTG device 1300 is connected to the connector 1120. When it is determined that the OTG device 1300 is connected to the connector 1120, the detector 1130 can transmit the detection signal DET to the processor 1110. The detection signal DET can be transmitted together with information about the connected device.

[0157] The voltage converter 1140 can include ​ the voltage converter 100 of ​ the voltage converter 400. The voltage converter 1140 can include a first voltage node VN1 connected to the connector 1120, a second voltage node VN2 connected to the battery 1150, and a third voltage node VN3 connected to the processor 1110.

[0158] The battery 1150 can be charged based on power supplied from the outside, and can supply power to the battery power regulator 1160. The battery power regulator 1160 can adjust a level of voltage transmitted from the battery 1150, and can supply the voltage of the adjusted level to the processor 1110.

[0159] The power supply device 1200 can supply power to the mobile device 1100 when it is coupled to the connector 1120. In response to the supply of power, the detector 1130 can transmit a detection signal DET indicating that the power supply device 1200 is connected to the processor 1110. In response to the detection signal DET, the processor 1110 can allow the voltage converter 1140 to perform a first type operation of a first mode.

[0160] The voltage converter 1140 can output a voltage corresponding to half of the voltage supplied through the first voltage node VN1 to the second voltage node VN2. The battery 1150 can be charged by the voltage output to the second voltage node VN2. In addition, the voltage converter 1140 can perform a step-down conversion on the voltage of the second voltage node VN2 (or the voltage input through the first voltage node VN1), and can output the reduced voltage to the third voltage node VN3. The processor 1110 can operate by using the voltage of the third voltage node VN3.

[0161] In an example embodiment, according to a level of a voltage desired in the mobile device 1100, the processor 1110 can allow the voltage converter 1140 to perform a first type operation, a second type operation, or a third type operation of a first mode.

[0162] When the power supply device 1200 is separated from the mobile device 1100, the detector 1130 can deactivate the detection signal DET. In response to the deactivation of the detection signal DET, the processor 1110 can deactivate the voltage converter 1140. The battery power regulator 1160 can supply a voltage to the processor 1110 by using the power charged at the battery 1150. The processor 1110 can operate by using the voltage supplied from the battery power regulator 1160.

[0163] When the OTG device 1300 is connected to the connector 1120, the detector 1130 can transmit a detection signal DET indicating that the OTG device 1300 is connected to the processor 1110. In response to the detection signal DET, the processor 1110 can allow the voltage converter 1140 to operate in a second mode.

[0164] The voltage converter 1140 can receive a voltage of the battery 1150 at a second voltage node VN2. The voltage converter 1140 can perform a boost conversion on the voltage of the battery 1150 and can output the converted voltage to a first voltage node VN1. The connector 1120 can supply the voltage output from the first voltage node VN1 to the OTG device 1300. For example, according to a level of a voltage desired in the OTG device 1300, the processor 1110 can allow the voltage converter 1140 to perform a first type operation or a second type operation of the second mode.

[0165] As described above, in an environment in which various voltage conversions are used in turn, the voltage converter 1140 can be variously configured to perform various voltage conversions. Accordingly, manufacturing costs and a size of the mobile device 1100 can be reduced.

[0166] In the above-described example embodiments, components are described by using the terms "first", "second", and "third" and the like. However, the terms "first", "second", and "third" and the like can be used to distinguish components from each other without limiting inventive concepts. For example, the terms "first", "second", and "third" and the like do not involve any form of order or numerical meaning.

[0167] In the above example embodiments, components of embodiments according to inventive concepts are described by using blocks. The blocks can be implemented with various hardware devices such as an integrated circuit (IC), an application-specific IC (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), firmware driving the hardware devices, or a combination of the hardware devices and software. Furthermore, the blocks can include a circuit implemented with semiconductor elements in an integrated circuit or a circuit registered as a circuit or intellectual property (IP).

[0168] According to some example embodiments of the inventive concept, the voltage converter can be configured to perform various step-down conversion and step-up conversion according to a level of power to be internally supplied based on externally supplied power or a level of power desired to be supplied to the outside. Accordingly, the voltage converter according to some example embodiments of the inventive concept can replace a plurality of step-down converters and a plurality of step-up converters, and thus can reduce manufacturing costs and size of a mobile device.

[0169] While the inventive concept has been described with reference to certain example embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A voltage converter comprising: first to fourth switches connected in series between a first voltage node and a ground node; fifth to eighth switches connected in series between the first voltage node and the ground node, the fifth to eighth switches being in parallel with the first to fourth switches; a first floating capacitor connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first switch and the second switch, the second node being between the third switch and the fourth switch; a second floating capacitor connected between a third node and a fourth node, the third node being between the fifth switch and the sixth switch, the fourth node being between the seventh switch and the eighth switch; a ninth switch connected between a second voltage node and a center node, the center node being a node to which nodes between the second switch and the third switch and between the sixth switch and the seventh switch are commonly connected; a first inductor connected between the second node and a third voltage node; a center capacitor connected between the center node and the ground node; a tenth switch connected between the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a first capacitor connected between the third voltage node and the ground node; and a second capacitor connected between the second voltage node and the ground node. the voltage converter being configured to selectively perform:

2. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein, a first type of operation of receiving a first voltage at the first voltage node, converting the first voltage, and transmitting the converted first voltage to at least one of the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a second type of operation of receiving a second voltage at the first voltage node and transmitting the second voltage to the second voltage node; and a third type of operation of receiving a third voltage at the second voltage node, converting the third voltage, and transmitting the converted third voltage to the first voltage node.

3. The voltage converter of claim 2, wherein, under the first type of operation, converting the first voltage includes step-down conversion, and under the third type of operation, converting the third voltage includes step-up conversion.

4. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein, the ninth switch is on, the tenth switch is off, the fifth switch and the seventh switch are switched in synchronization with each other at a half duty ratio, the sixth switch and the eighth switch are switched in synchronization with each other, and the sixth switch and the eighth switch are complementary to the fifth switch and the seventh switch, respectively, the first switch and the third switch are switched in synchronization with each other, and the second switch and the fourth switch are switched in synchronization with each other, and the second switch and the fourth switch are complementary to the first switch and the third switch, respectively.

5. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein, the first voltage is received at the first voltage node, a second voltage having a half of a level of the first voltage is output at the second voltage node, and a level of the third voltage output at the third voltage node is changed by a duty ratio at which the first switch and the third switch are switched.

6. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein, the ninth switch is off, the tenth switch is on, the second switch, the third switch, the fifth switch, and the eighth switch are on, the sixth switch and the seventh switch are off, and the first switch and the fourth switch are switched to be complementary to each other. ​ ​ 7. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the first voltage is received at the first voltage node, a level of the second voltage output at the second voltage node is changed by a duty cycle of the first switch, and the third voltage output at the third voltage node is the same as the second voltage.

8. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the ninth switch is on and the tenth switch is off, the first switch, the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, the sixth switch, and the eighth switch are on, and the third switch and the seventh switch are off.

9. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein, the first voltage is received at the first voltage node and output at the second voltage node.

10. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the ninth switch is on and the tenth switch is off, the first switch, the third switch, the sixth switch, and the eighth switch are switched synchronously with each other, and the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the seventh switch are switched synchronously with each other, and the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the seventh switch are complementary to the first switch, the third switch, the sixth switch, and the eighth switch, respectively.

11. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the first voltage is received at the second voltage node, and a level of the second voltage output at the first voltage node is equal to twice a level of the first voltage.

12. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the ninth switch is off and the tenth switch is on, the first switch, the third switch, the sixth switch, and the eighth switch are switched synchronously with each other, and the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the seventh switch are switched synchronously with each other, and the second switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, and the seventh switch are complementary to the first switch, the third switch, the sixth switch, and the eighth switch, respectively.

13. The voltage converter of claim 1, wherein the first voltage is received at the second voltage node, and a level of the second voltage output at the first voltage node is equal to or greater than twice a level of the first voltage.

14. The voltage converter of claim 1, further comprising: a second inductor connected between the fourth node and the third voltage node.

15. The voltage converter of claim 1, further comprising: a second inductor connected between the fourth voltage node and the fourth node; a third capacitor connected between the fourth voltage node and a ground node; and an eleventh switch connected between the fourth voltage node and the third voltage node.

16. A voltage converter, comprising: first to fourth switches connected in series between a first voltage node and a ground node; fifth to eighth switches connected in series between the first voltage node and the ground node, the fifth to eighth switches being in parallel with the first to fourth switches; a first floating capacitor connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first switch and the second switch, the second node being between the third switch and the fourth switch; ​ a second floating capacitor connected between a third node and a fourth node, the third node being between the fifth switch and the sixth switch, the fourth node being between the seventh switch and the eighth switch; a ninth switch connected between the second voltage node and a center node, the center node being a node to which nodes between the second switch and the third switch and nodes between the sixth switch and the seventh switch are commonly connected; a first inductor connected between the first node and a third voltage node; a center capacitor connected between the center node and a ground node; a tenth switch connected between the second voltage node and the third voltage node; a first capacitor connected between the third voltage node and the ground node; and a second capacitor connected between the second voltage node and the ground node.

17. The voltage converter of claim 16, further comprising: a second inductor connected between the third node and a fourth voltage node; and an eleventh switch connected between the fourth voltage node and the third voltage node.

18. The voltage converter of claim 16, further comprising: a second inductor connected between the fourth node and a fourth voltage node; and a third capacitor connected between the fourth voltage node and the ground node.

19. A voltage converter, comprising: a switched capacitor block connected between a first voltage node and a ground node, the switched capacitor block comprising first through fourth switches and a plurality of capacitors; a path control block connected to a second voltage node, a third voltage node, and the switched capacitor block, the path control block comprising a plurality of switches; and a passive element block connected to the second voltage node, the third voltage node, and the switched capacitor block, the passive element block comprising one or more capacitors and one or more inductors, wherein the voltage converter is configured to: in a first type of operation, receive a first voltage at the first voltage node, convert the first voltage, and transmit the converted first voltage to at least one of the second voltage node and the third voltage node, in a second type of operation, receive a second voltage at the first voltage node and transmit the second voltage to the second voltage node, and in a third type of operation, receive a third voltage at the second voltage node, convert the third voltage, and transmit the converted third voltage to the first voltage node, wherein the first through fourth switches are sequentially connected between the first voltage node and the ground node, wherein the plurality of capacitors of the switched capacitor block comprises: a first floating capacitor connected between a first node and a second node, the first node being between the first switch and the second switch, the second node being between the third switch and the fourth switch, wherein the one or more inductors of the passive element block comprises: a first inductor connected between the second node and the third voltage node.

20. The voltage converter of claim 19, wherein: in the first type of operation, converting the first voltage comprises a step-down conversion, and in the third type of operation, converting the third voltage comprises a step-up conversion. ​ ​ ​

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