US 11,716,022 B2
Hybrid buck-boost power converter with embedded charge pump
Giovanni Tarroboiro, Bientina (IT); and Pietro Gabriele Gambetta, Leghorn (IT)
Assigned to Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed by Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/203,577.
Prior Publication US 2022/0302827 A1, Sep. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. H02M 3/158 (2006.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01); H02M 3/07 (2006.01)
CPC H02M 3/158 (2013.01) [H02M 1/0095 (2021.05); H02M 3/07 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A power converter, comprising:
a switching circuit coupled to a capacitor and to a regulated power supply node via an inductor, wherein the switching circuit is configured to:
magnetize the inductor using the capacitor in response to an activation of a first control signal; and
charge the capacitor using an input power supply in response to an activation of a second control signal; and
a control circuit configured to cause the power converter to operate as a boost converter in a first mode and as a buck converter in a second mode, wherein, during operation in the first mode, the control circuit is configured to:
activate the first control signal and deactivate the second control signal based on a comparison of a first threshold value and a current flowing in the inductor; and
activate the second control signal and deactivate the first control signal based on a comparison of a second threshold value and the current flowing in the inductor; and
wherein the control circuit is further configured to:
during operation in the second mode, the control circuit is configured to alternately activate and deactivate the first control signal while maintaining the second control signal as active; and
implement a short-to-ground protection function by activating the first and second control signals.