Circuits and related methods for switched step-down and boost DC-to-DC
converters have been achieved. Said DC-to-DC converters comprise an
inductor current sensing and limiting circuit to prevent the inductor
current to exceed a defined limit. Said current sense circuit is using
the voltage on the on-state source-to-drain resistance of a power switch
to monitor the inductor current. Said voltage is amplified and serves as
input of a regulator. Said regulator, being connected via one or more
gate controllers to the gates of said power switches, controls the ON/OFF
state of said power switches by pulse-width-modulation. Said power
switches are switched ON/OFF if the current exceeds a defined limit.
After a defined time period said power switches are switched on again.
Gate controllers keep the power switch in an operating region having a
stable source-to-drain resistance while said power switch is ON. The
ON/OFF duty cycle of said power transistor switches is set in a way that
the difference between charge/discharge energy is kept on a minimum.