Patent ID: 8269474
Filing Date: 2012-09-18
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
1. A buck regulator comprising: an upper switching transistor connected between a voltage input node and a phase node; a lower switching transistor connected between the phase node and a ground node; an inductor connected between the phase node and an output voltage node; a capacitor connected between the output voltage node and ground; and circuitry for generating control signals to the upper switching transistor and the lower switching transistor responsive to the output voltage and a reference voltage, wherein the control signal to the lower switching transistor selectively turns off the lower switching transistor responsive to a current direction through the lower switching transistor and an indication whether a voltage error signal has been clamped at a selected level, wherein the circuitry turns off the lower switching transistor responsive to an indication that the voltage error signal has been clamped at the selected level and detection of a positive inductor current through the lower switching transistor in a continuous current mode of operation.