Control circuit for maintaining high efficiency over broad current ranges in a switching regulator circuit

The present invention relates to a switching regulator circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control circuit for maintaining high efficiency over broad current ranges in a switching regulator circuit.

The purpose of a voltage regulator is to provide a predetermined and constant output voltage to a load from a poorly-specified and fluctuating input voltage source. Generally, there are two different types of regulators: series regulators and switching regulators.

The series regulator employs a pass element (e.g., a power transistor) coupled in series with a load and controls the voltage drop across the pass element in order to regulate the voltage which appears at the load. In contrast, the switching regulator employs a switch (e.g., a power transistor) coupled either in series or parallel with the load. The regulator controls the turning ON and turning OFF of the switch in order to regulate the flow of power to the load. The switching regulator employs inductive energy storage elements to convert the switched current pulses into a steady load current. Thus, power in a switching regulator is transmitted across the switch in discrete current pulses, whereas in a series regulator, power is transmitted across the pass element as a steady current flow. A similar switching regulator is disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5097196A"><text>US-A-5 097 196</text></patcit>.

In order to generate a stream of current pulses, switching regulators typically include control circuitry to turn the switch on and off. The switch duty cycle, which controls the flow of power to the load, can be varied by a variety of methods. For example, the duty cycle can be varied by either (1) fixing the pulse stream frequency and varying the ON or OFF time of each pulse, or (2) fixing the ON or OFF time of each pulse and varying the pulse stream frequency.

Which ever method is used to control the duty cycle, switching regulators are generally more efficient than series regulators. In series regulators, the pass element is generally operated in its linear region where the pass element conducts current continuously. This results in the continuous dissipation of power in the pass transistor. In contrast, in switching regulators, the switch is either OFF, where no power is dissipated by the switch, or ON in a low impedance state, where a small amount of power is dissipated by the switch. This difference in operation generally results in reduced amounts of average power dissipation in switching regulators.

The above difference in efficiency can be more apparent when there is a high input-output voltage difference across the regulator. For example, it would not be unusual for a series regulator to have an efficiency of less than 25 percent when a switching regulator could perform an equivalent function with an efficiency of greater than 75 percent.

Because of their improved efficiency over series regulators, switching regulators are typically employed in battery-operated systems such as portable and laptop computers and hand-held instruments. In such systems, when the switching regulator is supplying close to the rated output current (e.g., when a disk or hard drive is ON in a portable or laptop computer), the efficiency of the overall circuit can be high. However, the efficiency is generally a function of output current and typically decreases at low output current. This reduction in efficiency is generally attributable to the losses associated with operating the switching regulator. These losses include, among others, quiescent current losses in the control circuitry of the regulator, switch losses, switch driver current losses and inductor/transformer winding and core losses.

The reduction in efficiency of a switching regulator at low output current can become important in battery-operated systems where maximizing battery lifetime is desirable.

There are regulators which reduce some losses. For example, a self-regulating Class E resonant power converter maintaining operation in a minimal loss region is known. It includes a power switching device which is gated on at each transition between negative and positive half cycles of the load current by drive signals generated by a drive circuit. The rate at which the drive signals are generated is controlled by a zero crossing detector which monitors the load currents and adjusts the frequency of the drive signals in correspondence with changes in the time between successive negative-to-positive zero crossings of the load current such that the power switching device continues to be switched on at substantially zero voltage, zero slope conditions to maintain the power converter operating at the optimal Class E frequency.

Milton Wilcox and Randy Flatness "New LTC 1148/LTC 1149 Switching Regulators Maximize Efficiency from Milliamps to Amps "in Linear Technology Magazine, Vol III, No.1, pages 9-12, February 1993, disclose a switching voltage regulator according to the preamble of claim 1.

<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="JP4101286U"><text>JP-U-4-101286</text></patcit> discloses a switching power supply with an inductor coupled between the node between two switching transistors and an output. In case of a low load and after detection of a reversed inductor current the switching transistor coupled to ground is switched OFF.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a high efficiency switching regulator.

It would also be desirable to provide a control circuit and method for maintaining high efficiency over broad current ranges, including low output currents, in a switching regulator circuit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a high efficiency switching regulator and to maintain high efficiency over broad current ranges, including low output currents, in a switching regulator circuit, wherein reversals in the polarity of the current in the output inductor of the regulator which drain power from the load are prevented. This object is solved with the features of the claims.

The above object and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a typical prior art switching regulator circuit employing a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration;</li><li>FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit to drive a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration;</li><li>FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit to drive a switch including a switching MOSFET and a switching diode in a step-down configuration;</li><li>FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a "user-activated" embodiment of a high-efficiency control circuit to drive a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration;</li><li>FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a variable OFF-time control circuit;</li><li>FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic diagram of an embodiment of the variable OFF-time control circuit of FIG. 5;</li><li>FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic block diagram of an exemplary switching regulator circuit incorporating both the variable OFF-time feature and a high-efficiency control circuit to drive a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration;</li><li>FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a circuit of the present invention for preventing reversals in the polarity of the current in the output inductor of the regulator from drawing power from the load;</li><li>FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit in a step-up configuration; and</li><li>FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit in a polarity-reversing configuration.</li></ul>

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a typical prior art switching regulator circuit employing a push-pull switch in a step-down configuration.

Referring to FIG. 1, circuit 10 is used to provide a regulated DC output voltage V_OUT at terminal 12 (e.g., 5 volts) for driving load 14 which, for example, may be a portable or laptop computer or other battery-operated system. Circuit 10 operates from an unregulated supply voltage V_IN coupled to terminal 14 (e.g., a 12 volt battery). Circuit 10 includes push-pull switch 15, driver circuit 20, output circuit 30 and control circuit 35.

Driver circuit 20 is used to drive push-pull switch 15 which includes two synchronously-switched power MOSFETS 16 (p-channel) and 17 (n-channel) stacked in series between supply rail V_IN and ground. Push-pull switch 15 in conjunction with driver circuit 20 is typically referred to as a "half-bridge" configuration. MOSFETS 16 and 17 are used to alternately supply current to output circuit 30 which includes inductor 32 (L1) and output capacitor 34 (C_OUT ). Output circuit 30 smooths the alternating supply of current so that load 14 is provided a regulated voltage V_OUT. In order to supply the alternating current, MOSFETS 16 and 17 are respectively driven by P-channel driver 26 and N-channel driver 27, which in turn are both controlled by control circuit 35.

Control circuit 35 includes one-shot circuit 25 which provides an OFF pulse of constant duration (e.g., 2 to 10 microseconds) during which time MOSFET 16 is held OFF and MOSFET 17 is held ON by drivers 26 and 27, respectively. Otherwise, one-shot circuit 25 provides an ON pulse during which time MOSFET 16 is held ON and MOSFET 17 is held OFF. Therefore, one-shot circuit 25 alternately turns MOSFETS 16 and 17 ON and OFF to provide an alternating supply of current to (output circuit 30. The duty cycle of the one-shot circuit 35 is in turn controlled by current amplifier 39.

Control circuit 35 monitors the output voltage V_OUT through resistor-divider network R₁/R₂ (36A/36B) to provide a feedback voltage V_FB proportional to the output voltage V_OUT. Control circuit 35 also monitors the current I_L through inductor L1 to provide a feedback current I_FB proportional to inductor current I_L. Circuit 10 operates by controlling inductor current I_L so that the feedback voltage V_FB is regulated to be substantially equal to a reference voltage V_REF provided by reference circuit 37. With feedback voltage V_FB being regulated, the output voltage V_OUT is in turn regulated to a higher voltage by the ratio of (R₁ + R₂ ) to R₂.

Transconductance amplifier 38 is used to compare the feedback voltage V_FB to a reference voltage V_REF. Circuit 10 regulates the output voltage V_OUT as follows. During each cycle when switch 15 is "ON", P-MOSFET 16 is turned Off and the current I_L in inductor L1 ramps up at a rate dependent on V_IN-V_OUT. When I_L ramps up to a threshold level set by output 38A of transconductance amplifier 38, current comparator 39 trips and triggers the one-shot OFF pulse, initiating the "OFF" cycle of switch 15. During the "OFF" cycle, one-shot circuit 25 holds P-MOSFET 16 OFF and turns N-MOSFET 17 ON. This in turn causes the current I_L in inductor L1 to ramp down at a rate dependent on V_OUT. Thus, the duty cycle of the periodic turning OFF of switch 15 is controlled so the current I_L produces a regulated output voltage V_OUT at terminal 12.

As the output load current increases, the voltage drop across R₂ resistor 36B will decrease. This translates into a small error voltage at input 38B of transconductance amplifier 38 that will cause output 38A to increase, thus setting a higher threshold for current comparator 39. Consequently, current I_L in inductor L1 is increased to the level required to support the load current.

Since the OFF time (t_OFF ) of one-shot circuit 25 is constant, switching regulator circuit 10 has a constant ripple current in inductor L1 (for constant output voltage V_OUT ), but has a frequency which varies with V_IN. The ripple oscillation frequency is given by the equation:<maths id="math0001" num=""><math display="block"><msub><mi mathvariant="normal">f</mi><mi>RIP</mi></msub><mo mathvariant="normal">=</mo><mfenced separators=""><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">/</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="normal">t</mi><mi>OFF</mi></msub></mfenced><mo>⁢</mo><mfenced open="[" close="]" separators=""><mn mathvariant="normal">1</mn><mo mathvariant="normal">-</mo><mfenced separators=""><msub><mi mathvariant="normal">V</mi><mi>OUT</mi></msub><mo mathvariant="normal">/</mo><msub><mi mathvariant="normal">V</mi><mi>IN</mi></msub></mfenced></mfenced></math><img file="EP0617501B2_D0001.tif" /></maths> One disadvantage of circuit 10 in FIG. 1 is that the ripple oscillation frequency f_RIP may decrease to an audible level with low input voltages V_IN. This could occur, for example, when a battery powering the switching regulator circuit is nearly discharged. Inductor L1 may then generate and emit noise that can be objectionable to a user of the device employing the regulator circuit.

An additional disadvantage of prior art circuit 10 is that the inductor current I_L is not well controlled when the output voltage V_OUT is shorted to ground. The basic relationship between inductor current and voltage is given by the equation di/dt = V/L . This means that the rate at which current I_L in inductor L1 decays during the OFF-time depends on the voltage across inductor L1, which is the sum of V_OUT and the drain to source voltage, V_DS, of N-MOSFET 17. During a short, V_OUT approaches zero while V_DS is also very low, resulting in very little decay of current I_L in inductor L1 during t_OFF. However, following each OFF cycle, P-MOSFET 16 is turned back ON until current comparator 39 again trips one-shot constant OFF time control circuit 25. Even for the minimum time that P-MOSFET 16 is ON, the current I_L in inductor L1 may increase by more than it can decrease during t_OFF. This may result in a runaway condition in which the short circuit current may reach destructive levels.

A further disadvantage of prior art circuit 10 results from the constant ripple current in inductor L1. During t_OFF, current I_L in inductor L1 always ramps down by the same amount regardless of the output current of the regulator. At low output currents this can cause the current in inductor L1 to reverse polarity and, thus, pull power from the load. During the following ON cycle, this current again ramps positive such that the average inductor current equals the load current. Losses associated with this constant ripple current, along with switching losses due to the charging and discharging of switch 15's MOSFET gates, can produce large reductions in efficiency at low output currents. This will be especially the case if the current in inductor L1 reverses and power is pulled from the load to ground through N-MOSFET 17.

A still further disadvantage of prior art circuit 10 concerns the gate drives to P-MOSFET 16 and N-MOSFET 17. Delays are generally incorporated into drivers 26 and 27 to ensure that one power MOSFET turns OFF before the other turns ON. If there is insufficient deadtime between the conduction of the two MOSFETs (due to, for example, device, circuit processing, or temperature variations), current will be passed directly from input supply V_IN to ground. This "shoot-through" effect can dramatically reduce efficiency, and in some circumstances, can overheat and destroy the power MOSFETs.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit for driving a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration.

Switching regulator circuit 50 includes push-pull switch 15, driver circuit 20 and output circuit 30 similar to those of FIG. 1. Circuit 50 also includes an embodiment 70 of a high-efficiency control circuit.

Control circuit 70 includes one-shot circuit 25, current comparator 39 and amplifier 38 similar to those of FIG. 1. However, in addition to those components, control circuit 70 also includes constant current source I₁ 72 and hysteretic comparator 74 for providing high efficiency operation at low average current levels.

As will be discussed in greater detail below, constant current source I₁ 72 and comparator 74 allow push-pull switch 15 to go into a state of operation where both MOSFETS 16 and 17 are simultaneously OFF under conditions where the output voltage V_OUT can be maintained substantially at the regulated voltage V_REG by output capacitor C_OUT. This state of operation is referred to herein as a "sleep mode." The ability of push-pull switch 15 to go into such a sleep mode is in contrast to the regulator circuit of FIG. 1 where one of the two MOSFETs 16 and 17 is substantially ON at all times. This feature reduces the regulator circuit power consumption since push-pull switch 15 does not dissipate power or allow power to be pulled from load R_L to ground in sleep mode.

Furthermore, if desired, while push-pull switch 15 is in the above-described sleep mode, the regulator circuit can turn OFF other circuit components which are not needed while the regulator is in sleep mode. For example, for the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, one-shot circuit 25, current comparator 39, current source I₁ 72 and amplifier 38 can also be turned OFF in sleep mode. This feature allows the regulator circuit to operate at even higher efficiencies than otherwise possible if only push-pull switch 15 were maintained in a sleep mode.

At high load current levels (e.g., greater than 20 percent of the maximum rated output current) control circuit 70 operates similar to control circuit 35 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the current feedback I_FB is again provided to the non-inverting input of current comparator 39. Offset V_OS 76, which preferably is built into amplifier 38, level-shifts feedback voltage V_FB slightly below reference voltage V_REF, thus keeping the output of hysteretic comparator 74 high during high current conditions. When the feedback current I_FB exceeds the current supplied to the inverting input of current comparator 39, the output of comparator 39 goes HIGH so as to initiate the switch "OFF" cycle.

During the "OFF" cycle, output 25A of one-shot circuit 25 is HIGH, which turns P-MOSFET 16 OFF and N-MOSFET 17 ON. After a constant time set by one-shot circuit 25, output 25A goes LOW, thus initiating the next "ON" cycle where P-MOSFET 16 ON and N-MOSFET 17 OFF.

The regulator circuit 50 goes into sleep mode at low output current levels as follows. Hysteretic comparator 74 monitors the feedback voltage V_FB and goes LOW when V_FB exceeds a predetermined voltage value in excess of the reference voltage V_REF. Such a condition is indicative of the output voltage V_OUT exceeding a predetermined voltage value in excess of the regulated voltage V_REG . This over voltage condition is intentionally induced at low average output currents by providing a constant current source I₁ 72 coupled in parallel with amplifier 38. During the over voltage condition both MOSFETS 16 and 17 are maintained OFF by way of AND gate 66 and NAND gate 68.

Constant current source I₁ sets a minimum feedback current threshold for current comparator 39. This sets a minimum current required in inductor L1 during each ON cycle to trip comparator 39. Current comparator 39 is intentionally forced to remain ON at current levels that would otherwise cause it to trip. Thus, more current is supplied to inductor L1 than is necessary to maintain the output voltage V_OUT at the regulated voltage V_REG. As a result, V_OUT will begin to increase beyond the regulated voltage V_REG, causing the feedback voltage V_FB to trip hysteretic comparator 74 at a predetermined voltage value in excess of V_REF. When comparator 74 trips, its output goes LOW to turn both MOSFET 16 and 17 OFF to put the regulator circuit into sleep mode.

In the above-described state of operation (i.e., "sleep mode") where MOSFETs 16 and 17 are both simultaneously OFF, the output load 14 is supported substantially by output capacitor C_OUT. Hysteretic comparator 74 monitors the feedback voltage V_FB and when V_OUT falls such that V_FB has decreased by the amount of the hysteresis in comparator 74, driver circuit 20 is taken out of sleep mode (where MOSFETS 16 and 17 are both driven OFF) so that a new ON cycle is initiated to supply current to load 14. If the load current remains low, C_OUT will recharge to a voltage level in excess of V_REG and the feedback voltage V_FB will again trip comparator 74 after only a few cycles.

Thus, during light loads, control circuit 70 is adapted to turn both MOSFET 16 and MOSFET 17 OFF when they are not needed to maintain the output voltage substantially at the regulated voltage level if the output capacitor C_OUT is capable of doing so. When the output voltage falls below the regulated voltage level in such a mode, control circuit 70 is adapted to briefly turn switch 15 ON to recharge the output capacitor C_OUT back to a voltage level in excess of the regulated voltage. Therefore, V_OUT will oscillate between upper and lower thresholds separated by the comparator 74 hysteresis voltage multiplied by the ratio of (R₁ + R₂) to R₂. The rate at which the regulator "wakes up" to recharge output capacitor C_OUT will automatically adapt to the load current, maintaining high efficiencies even at low output currents.

Control circuit 70 maintains MOSFETS 16 and 17 OFF over periods of time when the output current is low enough to allow the output capacitor C_OUT to maintain the output voltage substantially at the regulated voltage. Typically, such periods of OFF time, wherein both MOSFETS 16 and 17 are maintained OFF even though the switching regulator is providing a regulated voltage, can extend from less than 100 microseconds to over a few seconds (respectively corresponding to a few switch cycles to over one-hundred-thousand switch cycles for a switching frequency of 100 kiloHertz). Such OFF times typically allow high efficiency to be obtained (e.g., over 90%) over an output current range in excess of 100:1. Because other components in addition to the switching transistors can also be maintained OFF during such periods, even higher efficiencies can typically be obtained.

Control circuit 70 of switching regulator 50 shown in FIG. 2 is used to drive a synchronously-switched switch including MOSFETs 16 and 17. As used herein, the term "synchronously-switched switch" refers to a switch including two switching transistors that are driven out of phase to supply current at a regulated voltage to a load. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the high-efficiency control circuit adapted to drive a switch including a switching transistor and a switching diode in a step-down configuration.

As shown in FIG. 3, switching regulator circuit 100 includes switch 115 including P-MOSFET 116 and diode 118. Switch 115 is driven by driver 120 including P-driver 126. The turning-ON and turning-OFF of switch 115 is controlled by control circuit 125. Because control circuit 125 is used to only drive one MOSFET (in contrast to control circuit 70 of FIG. 2), it only has one output terminal 125A (taken from the output of NAND gate 68).

Control circuit 125 includes current comparator 39, amplifier 38, hysteretic comparator 74 and one-shot circuit 25, similar to those shown in control circuit 70 of FIG. 2. As discussed above with respect to FIG. 2, at low average output current levels, constant current source I₁ 72 is used to intentionally overdrive the current supplied to inductor L1 so as to cause the output voltage V_OUT to increase beyond the regulated voltage level V_REG where the output can be supported substantially by output capacitor C_OUT for extended periods of time. During these extended time periods, P-MOSFET 116 is maintained OFF in a sleep mode so as to increase circuit efficiency.

As discussed above, control circuits 70 and 125 of FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively, provide high-efficiency operation at low average output current levels. Such operation adapts automatically to the output current level. For example, at high output current levels during a first state of operation the switch continually alternates between an ON state and an OFF state to maintain the output voltage V_OUT at the regulated voltage level V_REG. At low output current levels during a second state of operation, where circuit efficiency would otherwise be low, the output voltage V_OUT is able to be maintained substantially at the regulated voltage level V_REG by output capacitor C_OUT without continuously turning the switch ON and OFF. Thus, the control circuit automatically identifies such a condition and allows the regulator circuit to go into a "sleep" mode where a minimal number of circuit components are required to be ON.

A regulator circuit can also incorporate a "user activated" embodiment of the control circuit where a user input controls whether the regulator circuit is in a "sleep" mode or not. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating such a "user-activated" embodiment of the high-efficiency control circuit for driving a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration.

Switching regulator circuit 150 in FIG. 4 includes push-pull switch 15, driver 20, output circuit 30 similar to those in circuit 50 of FIG. 2. Control circuit 170 of regulator circuit 150 includes one-shot circuit 25, current comparator 39 and amplifier 38 also similar to those in circuit 50 of FIG. 2. In contrast to FIG. 2, switch 175 (including switches 176 and 178) is used to manually switch regulator circuit 150 into a sleep mode through user input 175A, which may be a control signal from some other type of control circuit (not shown). Upon the closing of switch 175, switches 176 and 178 both close.

Switch 176 is used to turn N-driver 27 OFF in sleep mode by grounding input 66A of AND gate 66 (which normally is held HIGH by resistor 67 coupled to a positive supply). Switch 178 is used to introduce positive feedback, and therefore hysteresis, into amplifier 38 so as to allow control circuit 170 to maintain the output voltage V_OUT substantially at the regulated voltage level V_REG in sleep mode. (Resistor R_HYS , coupled between reference circuit 37 and the noninverting input of transconductance amplifier 38, is used to assist in feeding back the output of amplifier 38 into the non-inverting input of amplifier 38.)

Switch 178 allows amplifier 38 to overdrive the supply of current to inductor L1 (through P-MOSFET 16) so as to intentionally drive the output voltage V_OUT to a predetermined level in excess of the regulated voltage level V_REG. After being driven to such voltage level, the hysteresis in amplifier 38 maintains P-driver 26 OFF until the feedback voltage V_FB falls by at least the hysteresis voltage. At that point, output 39A of current amplifier 39 goes HIGH to trigger one-shot circuit 25 so that P-MOSFET 16 is turned ON to recharge the output capacitor C_OUT to the predetermined voltage level in excess of the regulated voltage level V_REG.

As discussed above, control circuit 170 periodically wakes up during sleep mode to turn P-MOSFET 16 ON to recharge the output capacitor C_OUT . It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in art that although N-MOSFET 15 is maintained OFF during such wake-up periods, this does not have to be the case. For example, while control circuit 170 is recharging output capacitor C_OUT , such recharging could be accomplished by alternately turning the switching transistors OFF so as to vary the duty cycle and thereby recharge the output capacitor C_OUT .

Thus, regulator circuit 150 operates to increase efficiency at low current levels as in regulator circuit 50 of FIG. 2 if a user manually activates a switch. However, in contrast to regulator circuit 50 of FIG. 2, regulator circuit 150 does not automatically adapt to the output current levels. For example, circuit 150 does not take itself out of sleep mode as the average output current increases -- it relies upon user deactivation.

As discussed above, the embodiments of the control circuits shown in FIGS. 2-4 include one-shot circuit 25. The one-shot circuit could be replaced with other types of circuits that control the duty cycle of the power switch. For example, one-shot circuit 25 could be replaced with a pulse-width modulator circuit that provides a pulse-width modulated signal in response to a control signal. Of course, other types of circuits could be used as well.

One-shot circuit 25, which provides a constant OFF-time signal, could be replaced with a one-shot circuit that provides a variable OFF-time control signal dependent upon the output voltage (V_OUT ) and the input voltage (V_IN ). This feature of the present invention can be used to reduce the generation and emission of audible noise from inductor L1 at low input voltages. As discussed above, such noise is associated with oscillation in the inductor current. Furthermore, this feature can also be used to control the short circuit current if the output is short circuited.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary switching regulator circuit incorporating a variable OFF-time control circuit.

Switching regulator circuit 200 includes push-pull switch 15, driver circuit 20, current feedback circuit 210, voltage feedback circuit 220, feedback control circuit 230 and variable OFF-time circuit 240. Feedback control circuit 230 monitors the output current and output voltage through inputs 232 and 234, respectively, and provides a trigger signal at terminal 236 to initiate the OFF cycle of switch 15. Variable OFF-time circuit 240 is used to control the OFF time as follows.

Circuit 240 includes one-shot generator 245 which is triggered by feedback control circuit 230 through terminal 236. One-shot generator 245 includes an additional terminal 245A coupled to control capacitor (C_CON ) 246 whose voltage is monitored by generator 245. In accordance with the present invention, OFF-time control circuit 250 controls the discharging of capacitor C_CON , and thus the capacitor voltage, so as to in turn control the OFF time of generator 245. OFF-time control circuit 250 monitors the input and output voltages (V_IN and V_OUT ) and, depending upon their values, adjusts the OFF time accordingly.

If the input voltage V_IN decreases so that the inductor L1 oscillation frequency f_RIP discussed above falls into an audible range, the OFF time is decreased so that f_RIP will accordingly increase out of an audible range. Also, if the output voltage V_OUT decreases due to a short circuit so that the voltage across inductor L1 is too low to allow adequate decay in inductor current during the OFF cycle, the OFF time is increased so as to avoid a current runaway condition.

In the present embodiment the discharging of control capacitor C_CON is regulated by controlling the magnitude of control current I_CON. For example, at low input voltages I_CON is increased by OFF-time control circuit 250 so that the voltage on control capacitor C_CON rapidly falls. When the control capacitor voltage falls below a predetermined value, the ON cycle of switch 15 is initiated. Additionally, at low output voltages I_CON is decreased by OFF-time control circuit 250 so that the voltage on control capacitor C_CON slowly decays to lengthen the OFF time.

Although switching regulator circuit 200 shown in FIG. 5 relies upon a particular circuit for discharging a capacitor to control the OFF time, it is apparent that other circuits for performing this same function in response to the input and output voltages can also be used. For example, if desired, an operational amplifier could be used to control the OFF-time.

Thus, a one-shot circuit has been discussed which provides a variable OFF-time control signal that adapts to the input and output voltage levels. This feature is used to reduce the generation and emission of audible noise from the regulator circuit at low input voltage levels (i.e., reduce t_OFF at low input voltages) and to limit the short circuit current if the output is short circuited (i.e., increase t_OFF at low output voltages).

FIG. 6 is a detailed schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the variable OFF-time control circuit of FIG. 5.

OFF-time control circuit 250 accepts as inputs V_IN and V_OUT at terminals 252 and 254, respectively, and provides an output I_CON at terminal 256. As discussed above, I_CON provides for the controlled discharging of a control capacitor C_CON coupled to terminal 256. Control circuit 250 controls the magnitude of I_CON, and therefore controls the time it takes control capacitor C_CON to discharge. Control circuit 250 includes current source 260 (for providing current I_CN2 ), current source 270 (for providing current I_CN1 ), current compensation circuit 280 and current mirror output circuit 295. Control circuit 250 works as follows.

Current mirror output circuit 295 is a current mirror circuit including transistor 296 and transistor 298 (having its gate 298A connected to its drain 298B). Circuit 295 accepts a controlled reference current I_CREF at input 295A and provides a proportional output current I_CON related to the aspect ratios of transistor 296 and 298 (as in conventional current mirror circuits). I_CREF will be equal to either I_CN1 or (I_CN1 + I_CN2 ) depending upon voltages V_IN and V_OUT on input terminals 252 and 254, respectively.

When V_IN - V_OUT is greater than 1.5 volts, transistor 262 conducts sufficient current (from transistor 264 and current supply I₆ ) to hold transistor 266 OFF. With transistor 266 OFF, current I_CN2 will be zero and current I_CREF will therefore be equal to current I_CN1 provided at output terminal 270A of current source 270.

Current I_CN1 is supplied by a current mirror circuit composed of transistor 272 and transistor 274 (having its gate 274A connected to its drain 274B). The reference current I_CN1REF flowing from transistor 274 will be equal to either I_CN1A or (I_CN1A + I_CN1B ), depending upon whether transmission gate 282 is open or closed, respectively.

Transmission gate 282 is controlled by comparator 284 and will be OPEN when V_OUT is less than V_TH3. Under OPEN conditions, I_CN1REF will be equal to I_CN1A which goes to the collector of transistor 276. This current is derived by dividing V_OUT by the output divider (composed of resistors 271 and 273) to produce voltage V_FB1 (at the base of transistor 279). Voltage V_FB1 is then level shifted up by the base-emitter voltage of transistor 279 and then down by the base-emitter voltage of transistor 276 where it appears across emitter resistor 278. The resulting transistor 276 collector current is then proportional to the output voltage V_OUT, causing control capacitor C_CON to be discharged at a rate which is proportional to the discharge rate of the current in inductor L1.

Thus, when the output voltage V_OUT is low, such as during a fault or start-up condition, t_OFF will be lengthened to allow the additional time required for the current to ramp down in inductor L1.

When the output voltage V_OUT is greater than V_TH3, the output of comparator 284 closes transmission gate 282 to couple an additional compensation current I_CN1B to the drain of transistor 274 to provide current compensation through current compensation circuit 280. Compensation current I_CN1B is equal to current I_TRIM minus the drain current of transistor 286. Transistors 286 and 288 serve to mirror the collector current in transistor 290 (which is derived in a similar manner to the collector current in transistor 276 discussed above, except that voltage V_REF is used instead of voltage V_FB1 ).

Compensation current I_CN1B has two purposes: 1) to serve as a trimming current to set a desired control current I_CON when the output voltage V_OUT is substantially at its regulated level; and 2) to maintain a substantially constant control current I_CON over a wide range of operating temperatures. During typical circuit manufacturing, variations in the resistance of resistor 278 would normally cause control current I_CON to be larger or smaller than desired. By trimming I_TRIM while in production, compensation current I_CN1B can be adjusted to add or subtract from the collector current (I_CN1A ) of transistor 276 as required to provide a predetermined control current I_CON. Additionally, if resistors 278 and 292 are matched (i.e., designed and fabricated similarly), then control current I_CON variations due to the temperature variation of the resistance of resistor 278 will be substantially cancelled by a corresponding change in the resistance of resistor 292.

If the output voltage V_OUT is less than voltage V_TH3, the output of comparator 284 opens transmission gate 282 and thus inhibits current compensation. This ensures that control current I_CON will approach zero as the output voltage V_OUT approaches zero, thus guaranteeing control of the inductor current I_L during an output short circuit.

When V_IN falls to the point that V_IN - V_OUT is less than 1.5 volts, the current in transistor 262 no longer holds transistor 266 OFF. As V_IN decreases further, transistor 266 adds additional current (I_CN2 ) into current mirror output circuit 295, thereby increasing control current I_CON and, thus, reducing t_OFF. This in turn stabilizes the operating frequency as V_IN decreases, reducing potential audibility problems. Current source I₇ determines the maximum current that transistor 266 adds to control current I_CON.

Thus, when V_IN falls so that V_IN - V_OUT is less than 1.5 volts (e.g., when a battery is nearly discharged), t_OFF will be reduced to increase the oscillation frequency of the regulator circuit so that the generation and emission of audible noise is reduced.

Although variable OFF-time control circuit 250 was discussed above with respect to a regulator circuit which includes push-pull switch 15 and driver 20, it will be apparent that the variable OFF-time feature could be used in other regulators as well. For example, this feature could also be used in the regulator circuits of FIGS. 3 and 4 and other circuits that employ one-shot generators to provide a regulated voltage.

FIG. 7 is a detailed schematic block diagram of an exemplary switching regulator circuit incorporating both the variable OFF-time feature and the high-efficiency control circuit to drive a switch including a pair of synchronously-switched MOSFETs in a step-down configuration.

Switching regulator 300 includes push-pull switch 15, driver 20, output circuit 30 and control circuit 350. Control circuit 350 includes one-shot generator 245, variable OFF-time control circuit 250 for controlling the OFF cycle time and comparator 74 for providing high-efficiency operation at low average output current levels. Switching regulator 300 works as follows.

When the load current exceeds, for example, approximately 20 percent of the maximum output current, the loop operates in a continuous mode wherein comparator 74 does not override output 245A of one-shot generator 245. With V_IN - V_OUT greater than 1.5V, operation is substantially similar to that described for Figure 1. The inductor current is sensed by means of the voltage drop across resistor R_SENSE , and the threshold for the current comparator 39 is set by the voltage drop across resistor R₃. Built-in offset V_OS (e.g., about 10 mv) levelshifts feedback voltage V_FB slightly below reference voltage V_REF, thus keeping the output of comparator 74 HIGH in this mode. When the voltage across resistor R_SENSE exceeds the threshold across resistor R₃ , the output of comparator 39 goes HIGH and the RBAR input of RS flip-flop 310 goes LOW, resetting RS flip-flop 310, and thus, initiating the switch OFF cycle.

During the OFF cycle, switch signal V_SWB is HIGH, which turns P-MOSFET 16 OFF, N-MOSFET 17 ON and allows I_CON to discharge control capacitor C_CON. The OFF time, t_OFF , is in turn determined by the time it takes control capacitor C_CON to discharge from its initial voltage to V_TH1 , coupled to the non-inverting input of comparator 312. When control capacitor C_CON discharges to voltage V_TH1 , the output of comparator 312 goes LOW, thus setting RS flip-flop 310 and initiating the next ON cycle. Voltage V_TH1 is higher than voltage V_TH2 , thus causing the output of comparator 315 to remain LOW in the continuous mode.

In accordance with present embodiment, the OFF time is controlled by variable OFF-time control circuit 250 described above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. Accordingly, circuit 250 includes inputs 252 and 254 coupled to V_IN and V_OUT , respectively, to monitor those voltages.

Current source I₁ sets a minimum voltage threshold across resistor R₃ for current comparator 39. This sets a minimum current required in inductor L1 during each ON cycle to trip comparator 39. If the resulting average inductor current flowing to the output is greater than the load current, then output voltage V_OUT will begin to increase, causing feedback voltage V_FB to trip the hysteretic comparator 74. Of course, the inductance of inductor L1 and OFF time t_OFF are preferably chosen so that the inductor ripple current is not below zero when such tripping occurs. When comparator 74 trips, its output goes LOW and overrides the Q output of RS flip-flop 310, immediately switching switch signal V_SWB high. As discussed above, this automatically initiates the beginning of the "sleep" mode of operation.

In sleep mode, capacitor C_CON discharges as before, but does not initiate a new switch ON cycle when comparator 312 trips. As discussed above, this is because until feedback voltage V_FB has fallen by the amount of hysteresis in comparator 74, the LOW at output 74A forces switch signal V_SWB to remain HIGH through NAND gate 316. Accordingly, control capacitor C_CON continues to discharge below voltage V_TH2 , causing output 315A of comparator 315 to go HIGH. This in turn causes the N-MOSFET 17 as well as the P-MOSFET 16 to be turned OFF. In addition, unused circuit components such as amplifier 38 and comparators 39 and 312 are also turned OFF when the regulator circuit is in sleep mode. As discussed above, this decreases bias currents substantially during sleep mode, further increasing efficiency at low output current levels.

During the extended off times in sleep mode, much of the regulator and both MOSFETS 16 and 17 are turned off, and the output load is supported substantially by output capacitor C_OUT . However, when the output voltage V_OUT falls such that the feedback voltage V_FB has decreased by the amount of hysteresis in comparator 74, all circuit components are again turned on and a new ON cycle is initiated to supply current to the output. If the load current remains low, output capacitor C_OUT will recharge, and the feedback voltage V_FB will again trip comparator 74 after only a few switch cycles. Thus, during light load conditions, the output voltage V_OUT will oscillate between upper and lower thresholds values, as discussed above.

Whenever P-MOSFET 16 is ON, its gate-to-source voltage also appears across MOSFET 334, turning MOSFET 334 ON. This pulls the drain of MOSFET 334 HIGH, and inhibits N-drive 27. Following a LOW-to-HIGH V_SWB transition, the voltage on the gate of P-MOSFET 16 must rise to a level where MOSFET 334 is conducting less than current source 335 before the drain voltage of MOSFET 334 falls and allows the N-MOSFET 17 to be turned ON. Current I_M1, is purposely made small so that the gate of MOSFET 334 must rise to within 2 volts of the input voltage V_IN before the drive is enabled, ensuring that the P-MOSFET is completely OFF when N-MOSFET 17 turns ON. In a similar manner, MOSFET 332 and current source I_M2 333 ensure that the N-MOSFET 17 is completely OFF when the P-MOSFET 16 turns ON. This prevents simultaneous conduction regardless of the driver speeds or MOSFET sizes, ensuring maximum possible efficiency. This feature of the present embodiment is accomplished by monitoring or otherwise determining the actual operating state of each transistor (i.e., MOSFETs 16 and 17) to control the supplying of a drive signal to the other transistor. The actual operating states of each transistor are applied logically such that the transistors are not driven simultaneously. If desired, the control circuit can also include circuitry for accommodating transient switch signals by attenuation. A variety of circuits may be used to implement the attenuation circuitry. For example, the basic logic circuit shown in FIG. 7, including sources 333 and 335, MOSFETs 332 and 334, and the NAND and NOR gates coupled to drivers 26 and 27, respectively may be used for attenuation by coupling a transient filter circuit between MOSFETs 17 and 332. The filter circuit includes an N-MOSFET coupled to a resistor placed in the series connection from MOSFET 17 to MOSFET 332. The gate of the filter N-MOSFET is driven by the inverted output of the NAND gate (i.e., an inverter connected to the input of driver 26).

Schottky diode D2 coupled across N-MOSFET 17 shown in FIG. 7 only conducts during the deadtime between the conduction of MOSFETS 16 and 17. Diode D2's purpose is to prevent the body diode of N-MOSFET 17 from turning on and storing charge during the deadtime, which could reduce efficiency (e.g., by approximately 1 percent) in some cases. Diode D2 preferably is selected with a forward voltage of less than about 0.5 volts when conducting the maximum output current.

The control circuit shown in FIG.7, when incorporated into a 5-volt synchronous step-down switching regulator, is capable of achieving over 90 percent efficiency (for an input voltage of approximately 10 volts) while the output current varies over two orders of magnitude (e.g., 20 mA to 2 A). Under some operating conditions (e.g., for an input voltage of 6 volts) efficiencies of over 95 percent can be maintained over such current levels. Such a control circuit is particularly useful in notebook and palm-top computers, portable instruments, battery-operated digital devices, cellular telephones, DC power distributions systems and GPS systems.

As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, a disadvantage of prior art control circuit 10 is that at low output currents the current in inductor L1 may reverse polarity if during t_OFF the current ramps down too much. This may result in power being pulled from the load to ground, through N-MOSFET 17, with an associated reduction in circuit efficiency. In accordance with the present invention, the control circuit includes a circuit for turning OFF the N-MOSFET to prevent such power from being pulled from the load if the inductor current reverses polarity.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary switching regulator circuit incorporating a circuit of the present invention for preventing reversals in the polarity of the current in the output inductor of the regulator from drawing power from the load.

Switching regulator 400 includes push-pull switch 15, driver circuit 20 and output circuit 30 similar to those of FIG. 1. Circuit 400 also includes an embodiment 470 of the high-efficiency control circuit of the present invention for preventing reversals in the polarity of output inductor L1 current from drawing power from the load.

Control circuit 470 includes one-shot circuit 25, current comparator 39 and transconductance amplifier 38 similar to those of FIG. 1. In addition to those components, control circuit 470 also includes comparator 471 and gate 472 for preventing reversals in inductor current polarity from drawing power from the load at low average current levels. Control circuit 470 works as follows.

When output 25a of one-shot circuit goes HIGH to turn P-MOSFET 16 OFF and N-MOSFET 17 ON, the inductor current I_L begins to ramp down. During low average output currents, this current may ramp down towards zero and, eventually, may go negative. Control circuit 470 works by monitoring the inductor current I_L, through current feedback signal I_FB2 , and turns N-MOSFET 17 OFF before such current reversals can occur. This prevents N-MOSFET 17 from drawing power from the load to ground.

Comparator 471 includes an input 471a adapted to monitor inductor current I_L by way of current feedback signal I_FB2. When current feedback signal I_FB2 falls below current I₄ applied to input 471b of comparator 471, comparator output 471c goes LOW and, therefore, turns N-MOSFET 17 OFF by way of AND gate 472. The turning OFF of N-MOSFET 17 prevents current reversals in inductor current I_L from drawing power from load 14 to ground through N-MOSFET 17.

After N-MOSFET 17 is turned OFF, it will again be allowed to turn ON as soon as feedback current I_FB2 exceeds current I₄ to cause comparator output 471c to go HIGH. Generally, comparator output 471c will again go HIGH after one-shot circuit 25 turns P-MOSFET 16 ON, which, in turn, causes the inductor current I_L to again ramp up. Such ramping up will allow current feedback signal I_FB2 to exceed I₄ and, therefore, cause comparator output 471c to go HIGH. While comparator 471c is HIGH, one-shot circuit 25 solely controls the turning ON of N-MOSFET 17.

Thus, control circuit 470 includes circuitry for intentionally holding N-MOSFET 17 OFF during periods when current reversals would otherwise allow power to be drawn from the load. This feature of the present invention can increase circuit efficiency at low average output current levels when current reversals are most like to occur.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that although comparator 471 monitors the inductor current I_L through feedback current I_FB2, other means of detecting current reversals in the inductor current I_L could be used as well. For example, comparator 471 could monitor current feedback signal I_FB1 just as well so that only one type of current feedback signal is employed in control circuit 470. Additionally, many others means of generating a feedback signal indicative of current reversal in inductor current I_L could be used as well (see, e.g., resistor R_SENSE in FIG. 7).

A high-efficiency control circuit was discussed above with respect to FIGS. 1-8 wherein the switching regulator was configured in a voltage step-down configuration. It will be apparent that the control circuit of the present invention could be used in other configurations as well. For example, FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit in a voltage step-up configuration.

Switching regulator 500 includes synchronously-switched switch 15' wherein the drains of P-channel MOSFET 16 and N-channel MOSFET 17 are coupled together and to one side of inductor L1. The other side of inductor L1 is coupled to input V_IN. Control circuit 70 drives driver circuit 20' including inverting P-driver 26' and inverting N-driver 27', which in turn drive P-channel MOSFET 16 and N-channel MOSFET 17, respectively.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, the control circuit can be used in switching configurations wherein an input voltage V_IN is stepped up to a regulated output voltage V_OUT . As is the case with the step-down configurations shown in FIGS. 2-8, the control circuit of FIG. 9 can be used in other types of step-up configurations as well. For example, one-shot circuit 25 shown in FIG. 9 can include an additional input for monitoring the input voltage V_IN to reduce the generation and emission of audible noise from inductor L1 at low input voltages as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6. Also, to conform with the invention, switching regulator 500 would include circuitry to hold P-MOSFET 16 OFF during periods when the polarity of inductor current I_L would otherwise reverse, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of a switching regulator circuit incorporating a high-efficiency control circuit in a voltage polarity-inversing configuration.

Switching regulator 600 includes switch 15" wherein the drain of P-channel MOSFET 16 is coupled to one side of inductor L1 and to V_OUT through diode D601. The other side of inductor L1 is coupled to ground. The source of P-channel MOSFET 16 is coupled to the positive input voltage V_IN. Control circuit 70' drives driver circuit 20" including P-driver 26 which, in turn, drives P-channel MOSFET 16.

Control circuit 70' operates substantially similar to control circuit 70 discussed above except for the following. Voltage feedback to control circuit 70' is provided by resistors R1 and R2 and amplifier 602. Amplifier 602 inverts the negative polarity voltage at V_OUT to provide a positive polarity feedback voltage to control circuit 70'.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 10, the control circuit can be used in switching configurations wherein an input voltage V_IN is inverted to a regulated output voltage of opposite polarity V_OUT. As is the case with the step-down configurations shown in FIGS. 2-8, the control circuit of FIG. 10 can be used in other types of polarity-inversing configurations as well. For example, one-shot circuit 25 shown in FIG. 10 can include an additional input for monitoring the input voltage V_IN to reduce the generation and emission of audible noise from inductor L1 at low input voltages. Furthermore, one-shot circuit 25 can include an input for monitoring the output voltage V_OUT to control the short circuit current if the output is short circuited as discussed above with respect to FIG. 5 and 6. Also, if, to conform with the invention, regulator 600 was synchronously switched and included an N-MOSFET instead of D601, the regulator would include circuitry to hold such an N-MOSFET OFF during periods when the polarity of inductor current I_L would otherwise reverse, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 8.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that although the control circuit has been discussed above with reference to a hysteretic voltage comparator for generating the sleep mode control signal to cause the switching regulator to go into and awake from the sleep mode, other means for performing the same function are also possible. For example, if desired, the sleep mode control signal could be generated in response to a monitored output current. Furthermore, the switching regulator could be taken out of the sleep mode a predetermined time period after going into such a mode, instead after the output voltage falls below a predetermined threshold voltage, as illustrated above.

It will also be apparent that although the present invention has been discussed above with reference to FIGS. 8-10, wherein the power switches were a pair of complementary MOSFETS (i.e., one p-channel and one n-channel), the present invention is applicable to other types of switches as well. For example, the power switch could include a pair of N-channel MOSFETS, a pair of P-channel MOSFETS, or bipolar junction transistors.

Thus, a control circuit and method for maintaining high efficiency over broad current ranges in a switching regulator circuit has been provided.

One skilled in the art will thus appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims which follow.