Switching regulator generating continuous output delivery current and operating method thereof

Abstract

A switching regulator configured to generate an output voltage from an input voltage, includes an inductor, an output capacitor configured to generate the output voltage based on a current passing through the inductor, a flying capacitor, and a plurality of switches. The plurality of switches are configured to operate in at least one of a buck-boost mode or a boost mode to, charge the flying capacitor to the input voltage in a first phase, and provide a boosted voltage from the flying capacitor to the inductor in a second phase, the boosted voltage being generated by charge pumping from the input voltage.

1 . A switching regulator configured to generate an output voltage from an input voltage, the switching regulator comprising:
 an inductor;   an output capacitor configured to generate the output voltage based on a current passing through the inductor;   a flying capacitor; and   a plurality of switches configured to operate in at least one of a buck-boost mode or a boost mode to,
 charge the flying capacitor to the input voltage in a first phase, and 
 provide a boosted voltage from the flying capacitor to the inductor in a second phase, the boosted voltage being generated by charge pumping from the input voltage. 
   
     
     
         2 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in the buck-boost mode to
 provide a ground voltage to the inductor in the first phase, and   connect the inductor to the flying capacitor in the second phase.   
     
     
         3 . The switching regulator of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in a third phase of the buck-boost mode to,
 charge the flying capacitor to the input voltage, and   provide the input voltage to the inductor,   wherein the third phase is subsequent to the second phase.   
     
     
         4 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in the boost mode to,
 provide the input voltage to the inductor in the first phase, and   connect the inductor to the flying capacitor in the second phase.   
     
     
         5 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , wherein, in the first phase and in the second phase, the output capacitor and a load receiving the output voltage are configured to receive a current passing through the inductor. 
     
     
         6 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the output capacitor is connected to the inductor. 
     
     
         7 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in a buck mode to,
 provide a ground voltage to the inductor in the first phase, and   provide the input voltage to the inductor in the second phase.   
     
     
         8 . The switching regulator of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in the buck mode to,
 provide the input voltage to a first end of the flying capacitor, and the ground voltage to a second end of the flying capacitor.   
     
     
         9 . The switching regulator of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to set one of the buck-boost mode, the boost mode, and the buck mode according to a target level of the output voltage and configured to control the switches according to a set mode.   
     
     
         10 . A switching regulator configured to generate an output voltage from an input voltage, the switching regulator comprising:
 an inductor;   an output capacitor configured to generate the output voltage based on a current passing through the inductor;   a flying capacitor; and   a plurality of switches configured to operate in at least one of a buck-boost mode or a boost mode to,
 provide the input voltage or a ground voltage to the inductor in a first phase and provide a boosted voltage from the flying capacitor to the inductor in a second phase, the switching regulator configured to generate the boosted voltage by charge pumping from the input voltage. 
   
     
     
         11 . The switching regulator of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in at least one of the buck-boost mode or the boost mode to,
 charge the flying capacitor to the input voltage in the first phase, and   connect the flying capacitor to the inductor in the second phase.   
     
     
         12 . The switching regulator of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of switches are configured to operate in the buck-boost mode to operate in a third phase to,
 charge the flying capacitor to the input voltage, and   provide the input voltage to the inductor,   wherein the third phase is subsequent to the second phase.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A switching regulator comprising:
 an input node;   an output node;   a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch that are sequentially connected in series between the input node and a ground node;   a fifth switch comprising one end connected to the input node and another end connected to the third switch and the fourth switch;   an inductor comprising one end connected to the second switch and the third switch and another end connected to the output node;   an output capacitor comprising one end connected to the output node and another end connected to the ground node;   a flying capacitor comprising one end connected to the first switch and the second switch and another end connected to the third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch; and   a controller configured to control the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch.   
     
     
         17 . The switching regulator of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in a buck-boost mode to
 turn ON the first switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch and turn OFF the second switch and the fifth switch in a first phase, and   turn ON the second switch and the fifth switch and turn OFF the first switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch in a second phase.   
     
     
         18 . The switching regulator of  claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in the buck-boost mode to,
 turn ON the first switch, the second switch, and the fourth switch and turn OFF the third switch and the fifth switch in a third phase subsequent to the second phase.   
     
     
         19 . The switching regulator of  claim 17 , wherein the output capacitor and a load connected to the output node configured to receive a current passing through the inductor in the first phase and the second phase. 
     
     
         20 . The switching regulator of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in a boost mode to
 turn ON the first switch, the second switch, and the fourth switch and turn OFF the third switch and the fifth switch in a first phase, and   turn ON the second switch and the fifth switch and turn OFF the first switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch in a second phase.   
     
     
         21 . The switching regulator of  claim 20 , wherein the output capacitor and a load connected to the output node configured to receive a current passing through the inductor in the first phase and the second phase. 
     
     
         22 . The switching regulator of  claim 16 , wherein the controller is configured to operate in a buck mode to,
 turn ON the first switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch and turn OFF the second switch and the fifth switch in a first phase, and   turn ON the first switch, the second switch, and the fourth switch and turn OFF the third switch and the fifth switch in a second phase.   
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The switching regulator of  claim 16 , wherein the switching regulator is configured such that each of voltages across the first, switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch, and the fifth switch are less than or equal to the voltage of the input node regardless of whether the switching regulator operates in a buck-boost mode, a boost mode, or a buck mode. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled)