A combination, voltage converter circuit for use within an implantable
device, such as a microstimulator, uses a coil, instead of capacitors, to
provide a voltage step up and step down conversion functions. The output
voltage is controlled, or adjusted, through duty-cycle modulation. In
accordance with one aspect of the invention, applicable to implantable
devices having an existing RF coil through which primary or charging
power is provided, the existing RF coil is used in a time-multiplexing
scheme to provide both the receipt of the RF signal and the voltage
conversion function. This minimizes the number of components needed
within the device, and thus allows the device to be packaged in a smaller
housing or frees up additional space within an existing housing for other
circuit components. In accordance with another aspect of the invention,
the voltage up/down converter circuit is controlled by a pulse width
modulation (PWM) low power control circuit. Such operation allows high
efficiencies over a wide range of output voltages and current loads.