Patent ID: 6094039
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
A DC-to-DC converter for producing a regulated output potential in response to an input potential, said DC-to-DC converter comprising:a switching controller implemented as an integrated circuit and having multiple operating modes including an oscillator mode and a sync mode, wherein the controller includes first circuitry configured to assert switch control signals for switching on a power switch during each of at least two of the operating modes, wherein the controller includes second circuitry configured to assert additional switch control signals in response to at least one feedback potential, wherein the power switch switches off in response to the additional switch control signals, wherein the controller includes an external control pin, and wherein the first circuitry in the oscillator mode generates the switch control signals in response to internally generated clock pulses, and the first circuitry in the sync mode generates the switch control signals in response to switch control pulses asserted to the control pin; andexternal circuitry, coupled to the controller and configured to generate and assert to the controller the at least one feedback potential, wherein one of the controller and the external circuitry includes the power switch, wherein the external circuitry is coupled to the control pin and configured to assert mode control signals to said control pin to cause the controller to operate in a sequence of the operating modes, and to assert the switch control pulses to the control pin when the controller operates in the sync mode.