A buck-boost power converter is operable in a first mode (step-down) or in a second mode (step-up). The power converter has an inductor, a flying capacitor, a network of six switches and a driver adapted to drive the network of switches with a sequence of states. Depending on the mode of operation the sequence of states comprises at least one of a first state and a second state. In the first state the ground port is coupled to the second port via two paths, a first path comprising the flying capacitor and the inductor, and a second path comprising the flying capacitor while bypassing the inductor. In the second state the first port is coupled to the second port via a path that includes the inductor and the ground port is coupled to the first port via a path that includes the flying capacitor while bypassing the inductor.

A buck-boost power converter is operable in a first mode (step-down) or in a second mode (step-up). The power converter has an inductor, a flying capacitor, a network of six switches and a driver adapted to drive the network of switches with a sequence of states. Depending on the mode of operation the sequence of states comprises at least one of a first state and a second state. In the first state the ground port is coupled to the second port via two paths, a first path comprising the flying capacitor and the inductor, and a second path comprising the flying capacitor while bypassing the inductor. In the second state the first port is coupled to the second port via a path that includes the inductor and the ground port is coupled to the first port via a path that includes the flying capacitor while bypassing the inductor.

A low EMI driver apparatus includes: a driver circuit configured to generate a driving signal according to a switch control signal, so as to drive at least one switch; and a driving strength control circuit configured to randomly control a driving strength of the driver circuit, thereby reducing an EMI generated when the at least one switch is driven according to the driving signal. In a specific form of the low EMI driver apparatus, the at least one switch includes plural switches, and the low EMI driver apparatus further includes: a dead time control circuit configured to randomly control a dead time between ON times of the plural switches, so as to reduce the EMI generated when the switches are driven according to the driving signal.

A switching converter circuit comprises a converting circuit stage, an error amplifier, and a control circuit. The converting circuit stage includes a magnetic circuit element and a switching circuit configured to convert an input voltage to a regulated output voltage by charging and discharging the magnetic circuit element using activation pulses generated using a system clock signal. The error amplifier generates a control voltage using the output voltage. The control circuit varies time between successive activation pulses according to the control voltage, and the successive activation pulses are synchronized to the system clock signal.

A switching converter circuit comprises a converting circuit stage, an error amplifier, and a control circuit. The converting circuit stage includes a magnetic circuit element and a switching circuit configured to convert an input voltage to a regulated output voltage by charging and discharging the magnetic circuit element using activation pulses generated using a system clock signal. The error amplifier generates a control voltage using the output voltage. The control circuit varies time between successive activation pulses according to the control voltage, and the successive activation pulses are synchronized to the system clock signal.

Embodiments of an SMPS controller and a method for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller are described. In an embodiment, an SMPS controller includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal for a switch of an SMPS and a current sense electrical terminal configured to receive sensed current corresponding to the switch and to conduct driver discharge current from the gate driver circuit.

Embodiments of an SMPS controller and a method for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller are described. In an embodiment, an SMPS controller includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal for a switch of an SMPS and a current sense electrical terminal configured to receive sensed current corresponding to the switch and to conduct driver discharge current from the gate driver circuit.

A charge-pump control circuit includes an oscillator which supplies a clock for driving a charge pump driver to supply a first gate voltage to a discharging transistor in order to control discharge from a battery, and driving a charge pump driver to supply a second gate voltage to a charging transistor in order to control charge to the battery, respectively; and a drive control circuit which sets a control target voltage as one of the first gate voltage and the second gate voltage having a lower voltage in order to control generation of the clock by the oscillator according to the control target voltage.

A system includes: 1) a battery configured to provide an input voltage (VIN); 2) switching converter circuitry coupled to the battery, wherein the switching converter circuitry includes a power switch; 3) a load coupled to an output of the switching converter circuitry; and 4) a control circuit coupled to the power switch. The control circuit includes: 1) a switch driver circuit coupled to the power switch; 2) a summing comparator circuit configured to output a first control signal that indicates when to turn the power switch on; and 3) an analog on-time extension circuit configured to extend an on-time of the power switch by gating a second control signal with the first control signal, wherein the second control signal indicates when to turn the power switch off.

A system includes: 1) a battery configured to provide an input voltage (VIN); 2) switching converter circuitry coupled to the battery, wherein the switching converter circuitry includes a power switch; 3) a load coupled to an output of the switching converter circuitry; and 4) a control circuit coupled to the power switch. The control circuit includes: 1) a switch driver circuit coupled to the power switch; 2) a summing comparator circuit configured to output a first control signal that indicates when to turn the power switch on; and 3) an analog on-time extension circuit configured to extend an on-time of the power switch by gating a second control signal with the first control signal, wherein the second control signal indicates when to turn the power switch off.