Patent ID: 6734656
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
In an apparatus for generating a regulated direct current (DC) output voltage, said apparatus including a buck topology-based, DCâ€”DC converter coupled to a supply voltage, and being operative to generate a regulated output voltage derived from said supply voltage, said DCâ€”DC converter having a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator which generates a PWM switching signal for application to a switching circuit driver, that switchably controls operation of a switching circuit containing upper and lower power switching NFET devices coupled between respective first and second power supply terminals, a common node thereof being coupled through an inductor element to an output voltage terminal, and a controller for controlling the operation of said PWM generator,the improvement wherein said upper power switching NFET device is formed in a common integrated circuit with said switching circuit driver, and said lower power switching NFET device is external to said common integrated circuit.