Patent ID: 7518348
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter, comprising: an output stage for providing an output voltage; an error amplifier for comparing the output voltage to a target voltage, wherein the error amplifier is enabled to control the output voltage; a current limiter for holding an output current below a current limit level such that the current limiter is respectively activated and inactivated when the output current is above and below the current limit level; and a clamp circuit that is coupled to an output of the error amplifier, wherein if the current limiter is inactivated, an initial clamping level of the clamp circuit is provided, and wherein if the current limiter is activated, the initial clamping level of the clamping circuit is decreased to a relatively lower clamping level, wherein the current limiter includes: a circuit for providing a predetermined current limit level signal; and a comparator which receives as one input the current limit level signal and as another input a signal that corresponds to the output current, wherein said comparator produces a signal that inactivates and activates the clamp circuit when the output current level signal is respectively below and above that of the current limit level signal.