A step-up/step-down DC-DC converter for reducing loss caused by activation
and inactivation of transistors. An error amplifier included in a control
circuit generates an error signal in accordance with voltage difference
between an output voltage and a reference voltage. A PWM comparator
compares a triangular wave signal and the error signal to generate a
control pulse signal having a pulse width that is in accordance with the
voltage difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage.
A pulse detector monitors the control pulse signal and generates a mode
switch signal for switching the operation mode of the DC-DC converter in
accordance with a monitoring state of the control pulse signal. A switch
provides the PWM comparator with the triangular wave signal or an offset
signal, which is generated by adding an offset voltage to the triangular
wave signal, in response to the mode switch signal.