Abstract: A DC to AC converter includes an input configured to receive a DC input voltage, an output and two serially connected capacitors connected across the output. The two serially connected capacitors including a first capacitor and a second capacitor connected together at a connection node. The converter also includes a first parallel converter connected between the input and the connection node and a second parallel converter connected between the input and the connection and in parallel with the first parallel converter. The converter also includes a controller that selectively connects the first and second parallel converters to the input based on a first duty cycle (D1) and second duty cycle (D2), respectively. The controller determines D1 based on comparing a desired alternating current signal across the second first to a measured alternating current signal across the first capacitor such that D1 varies over time.

Abstract: A circuit comprises a controller configured to receive an input voltage and control a power converter to provide an output voltage based on the input voltage. The controller is also configured to receive a feedback voltage from a split feedback divider, the feedback voltage based on the output voltage and control the power converter to provide the output voltage based on the input voltage and the feedback voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supply system for a plurality of loads connected in parallel to a direct current supply bus. The supply system includes a DC supply bus and a plurality of supply lines connected in parallel to the supply bus and supplying the said loads. The supply system includes uncoupling and damping means that is adapted to decrease the unipolar signals travelling within the supply system while the loads are being supplied. The uncoupling and damping means includes at least one inductance arranged in series in at least one of the supply lines. Protective means (are also provided for protection in the event of a fault.

Abstract: An apparatus for wireless power transfer is described. In some implementations, the apparatus includes a resonant circuit configured to receive a radio frequency input and generate an in-phase voltage and an out-of-phase voltage. The apparatus further includes a pulse generation circuit configured to at least gate the in-phase voltage to provide a first output voltage, and gate the out-of-phase voltage to provide a second output voltage. The apparatus further includes a pulse width modulation circuit configured to provide, to the pulse generating circuit, information for controlling the pulse width modulation setting. The apparatus further includes a pulse frequency modulation circuit configured to provide, to the pulse generating circuit, information for controlling the pulse frequency modulation setting, the information for controlling the pulse frequency modulation setting determined based on the pulse width modulation setting. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: A control circuit for generating a feedforward control signal based on an input voltage includes a divider coupled to the input voltage to generate a divided voltage and a first buffer responsive to the divided voltage to generate a buffered voltage at an output of the first buffer. The control circuit also includes a first capacitor coupled to the first buffer output and configured to generate a feedforward current when there is a variation in the input voltage and a current mirror circuit including a current mirror output node at which a current mirror output voltage indicative of the input voltage variation is generated. A digitizing circuit is responsive to the current mirror output voltage to generate the feedforward control signal. A DC-DC converter and a method for generating a feedforward control signal based on an input voltage are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of a circuit and method for generating a ripple voltage for a ripple based constant-on-time DC-DC converter are disclosed. A circuit includes a ripple voltage output, a first charging circuit connected to the ripple voltage output, a second charging circuit connected to the ripple voltage output, a charge control circuit configured to charge the first charging circuit and the second charging circuit out-of-phase from each other in response to an on signal from a ripple based constant-on-time DC-DC converter, where the voltage of the first charging circuit and the voltage of the second charging circuit are provided at the ripple voltage output as the ripple voltage.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a filter circuit, a full-bridge circuit connected to the filter circuit, and a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding being connected to the full-bridge circuit. The full-bridge circuit includes first to fourth semiconductor switches. First to fourth overvoltage protection circuits are associated with the first to fourth semiconductor switches, respectively. Each of the overvoltage protection circuits is connected in parallel its associated semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A control method of a switching converter, wherein the switching converter has a main transistor and is configured to provide an output signal. The control method includes: generating a feedback signal indicative of the output signal of the switching converter; generating a clock signal to determine the switching frequency of the main transistor; generating a control signal to control the main transistor based on the clock signal and the feedback signal; and detecting whether the on-time of the main transistor is smaller than a time threshold based on the control signal. If the on-time of the main transistor is smaller than the time threshold, the frequency of the clock signal will be adjusted to regulate the on-time of the main transistor to be equal to the time threshold.

Abstract: Various methods and devices that involve pulsed signals are disclosed. An example minimum pulse-width (MPW) circuit comprises a first and second logic circuit. A first input of the first logic circuit is connected to an input of the MPW circuit. A first input of the second logic circuit is communicatively coupled to an output of the first logic circuit. The MPW circuit also comprises a MPW filter circuit communicatively coupled to an output of the second logic circuit, a one-shot circuit communicatively coupled to an output of the minimum pulse-width filter circuit and located on a first feedback path, and another one-shot circuit communicatively coupled to the output of the minimum pulse-width filter circuit and located on a second feedback path. A second input of the first logic circuit is on the first feedback path. A second input of the second logic circuit is on the second feedback path.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of current balancing, current sensing and phase balancing, offset cancellation, digital to analog current converter with monotonic output using binary coded input (without binary to thermometer decoder), compensator for a voltage regulator (VR), etc. are provided here. An apparatus is provided which comprises: a plurality of inductors coupled to a capacitor and a load; a plurality of bridges, each of which is coupled to a corresponding inductor from the plurality of inductors; and a plurality of current sensors, each of which is coupled to a bridge to sense current through a transistor of the bridge.

Abstract: A boost converter for converting between an input voltage and an output voltage is disclosed. The boost converter includes an inductor connected to the input voltage a switching arrangement for controlling the switching of the inductor current to an output load at the output voltage and a controller for controlling the switching arrangement to provide duty cycle control. The duty cycle control switching takes place when the inductor current reaches a peak current level which varies over time with a peak current level function. The peak current level function includes the combination of a target peak value derived from a target average inductor current and a slope compensation function which periodically varies with a period corresponding to the converter switching period.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of generating an output voltage from a high input voltage and a command signal, the method comprising: generating an output voltage from a high voltage source; providing an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal linked to a low voltage source by a capacitor, the second inductor terminal supplying the output voltage to a load; generating command signals as a function of a high voltage supplied by the high voltage source and the output voltage, to reduce a difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage lower than the high voltage; and connecting the first inductor terminal exclusively either to the high input voltage or the low voltage or to the inductor second terminal, as a function of the command signals.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a rectifier, a charging circuit, and a storage capacitor. An AC signal is rectified by the rectifier thereby generating a rectified signal VR between a VR node and a GND node. The capacitor is coupled between an output voltage VO node and the GND node. If VR is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP then the VO node is decoupled from the VR node. If VR is below VP then the charging circuit supplies a substantially constant charging current from the VR node, through the charging circuit, to the VO node, and to the capacitor, provided that VO on the capacitor is below a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is adequately high with respect to VO. Due to the charging current, the voltage VO on the storage capacitor is restored to the desired second predetermined voltage.

Abstract: In a steady state operation mode, a charging circuit of a non-isolated AC-to-DC converter decouples an output voltage VO node from a VR node when the rectifier output signal VR on the VR node is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP and, 2) supplies a charging current from the VR node and onto the VO node when VR is less than VP provided that an output voltage VO on the VO node is less than a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is greater than VO. In an initial power up operation mode, the maximum limit value of the charging current is smaller than it is during steady state operation. Due to the reduced charging currents employed during initial power up operation, less noise is injected back to the AC source and EMI filters are not required between the rectifier of the converter and the AC source.

Abstract: A constant on-time controller, comprising a ripple generator, a comparing circuit and a logic control circuit, is provided. The ripple generator generates a ripple signal, which is injected into one of a voltage reference signal and a voltage detection signal to form a ripple modulated signal with ripple information. The comparing circuit compares the ripple modulated signal with the other of the voltage reference signal and the voltage detection signal and accordingly generates a comparison result signal. The logic control circuit generates a control signal with a fixed pulse width according to the comparison result signal. The ripple generator has a level modulation circuit for modulating an amplitude of the ripple modulated signal to make the amplitude within an preset range under different applications.

Abstract: A direct current (DC)-DC converter that includes a first switching converter and a multi-stage filter is disclosed. The multi-stage filter includes at least a first inductance (L) capacitance (C) filter and a second LC filter coupled in series between the first switching converter and a DC-DC converter output. The first LC filter has a first LC time constant and the second LC filter has a second LC time constant, which is less than the first LC time constant. The first switching converter and the multi-stage filter form a feedback loop, which is used to regulate the first switching power supply output signal based on the setpoint. The first LC filter includes a first capacitive element having a first self-resonant frequency, which is about equal to a first notch frequency of the multi-stage filter.

Abstract: Provided are a low pass filter circuit having a small output voltage shift caused by a substrate leakage current at high temperature, and a voltage regulator using the low pass filter circuit, which has a small output voltage shift at high temperature. In a low pass filter circuit using a PMOS transistor as a resistive element, a back gate terminal of the PMOS transistor is set to have a higher voltage than a source of the PMOS transistor. Further, in a voltage regulator incorporating the low pass filter circuit to an output of a reference voltage circuit, the voltage of the back gate terminal of the PMOS transistor which is higher than that of the source thereof is generated by the reference voltage circuit.

Abstract: A device and method of providing any one of a plurality of desired levels of a regulated signal output to a load is described, wherein each desired level is a function of a corresponding reference signal. The device is configured and the method is designed to (1) store each desired level of the regulated signal output on a switchable storage device; and (2) selectively switch the correct storage device to the output when switching from one regulated state to another so as to establish the desired level of regulated signal output.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a first power factor correction circuit, a second power factor correction circuit and a control circuit that includes a first switching control unit that outputs a first switching signal for controlling a first switching element of the first power factor correction circuit generated in accordance with a detected result by an output voltage of the first power factor correction circuit and a current flowing through the first switching element, and a second switching control unit that outputs a second switching signal for controlling a second switching element of the second power factor correction circuit generated in accordance with a detected result by an output voltage of the second power factor correction circuit and a current flowing through the second switching element.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprising a current-sensing circuit having a power transistor and an amplifier. The current-sensing circuit is coupled to (i) sense a current supplied to a load by a voltage source through an inductor and (ii) generate an inductor-current signal based on the sensed current. The current-sensing circuit includes: a power transistor and a sensing transistor, both coupled to receive an input voltage from the voltage source. The error amplifier has first and second input nodes and an output node. The first input node receives (i) a first voltage through the power transistor and (ii) a first current from a first biasing-current source. The second input node receives (i) a second voltage through the sensing transistor and (ii) a second current from a second biasing-current source. The inductor-current signal is generated based on at least one of the first and second voltages, and the output node has a voltage that varies with the inductor-current signal.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes an input to which an input current is supplied, an output at which an output current is provided, and a current control circuit coupled to the input and the output includes a unit that provides an instantaneous value signal proportional to the output current of the DC/DC converter with the aid of the input current, an internal input that supplies a reference signal, and a comparison device coupled to the unit that provides the instantaneous value signal and the internal input and comprises an internal output that provides a control signal dependent on a comparison of the instantaneous value signal with the reference signal, wherein the control signal adjusts the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: There is provided an electric-power conversion apparatus including a chopper circuit; a current sense resistor that detects the output current of the chopper circuit; a differential detection circuit that outputs, as a differential detection signal (vo), the electric potential difference across the current sense resistor; and a calculation means that corrects the differential detection signal (vo) from the differential detection circuit by use of a control signal (D1) for the chopper circuit so as to calculate the output current (i0) of the chopper circuit.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a power factor correcting (PFC) circuit, a power supply and a method of manufacturing a power converter. In one embodiment, the PFC circuit has a positive input terminal, an output terminal and a ground terminal and includes: (1) a power factor inductor coupled in series between the positive input terminal and the output terminal, (2) a main switch configured to periodically connect the power factor inductor to the ground terminal and (3) a clamping capacitor coupled to the power factor inductor and configured to provide zero turn-off loss for the main switch.

Abstract: DC to DC converters are described that include two converters interconnected and operated to mitigate at least some of the effects of low duty cycle operation.

Abstract: In a current mode controlled switching power supply, current through the inductor is sensed to determine when to turn off or on the switching transistors. The inductor current has a higher frequency AC component and a lower frequency DC component. The AC current feedback path, sensing the ramping ripple current, is separate from the DC current path, sensing the lower frequency average current. Separating the current sensing paths allows the signal to noise ratio of the AC sense signal to be increased and allows the switching noise to be filtered from the DC sense signal. The gain of the DC sense signal is adjusted so that the DC sense signal has the proper proportion to the AC sense signal. The AC sense signal and the DC sense signal are combined by a summing circuit. The composite sense signal is applied to a PWM comparator to control the duty cycle of the switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switching-mode power supply device which outputs a voltage having a different electrical potential from an input voltage including an inductor, a driving switching element and a control circuit, and the control circuit includes a trigger signal generating circuit which generates and outputs a signal which provides timing to turn the driving switching element on or off, a first timekeeping unit which times a fixed ON period or a fixed OFF period which defines the pulse width of a driving pulse of the driving switching element, a second timekeeping unit which times a minimum OFF period or a minimum ON period of the driving switching element and a sudden load change detection circuit which detects a sudden load change.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a power device formed by an NMOS transistor having a drain terminal coupled to an input voltage, a source terminal providing an output voltage and a gate terminal receiving a gate drive signal; and an integrated AC/DC control loop configured to access the output voltage and to generate the gate drive signal based on a value of the output voltage in relation to a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. The AC control portion generates a gate drive control signal which is AC coupled to the gate terminal of the power device as an AC component of the gate drive signal. The DC control portion controls a DC voltage level of the gate drive signal. The AC control portion is powered by the input voltage while the DC control portion is powered by a high supply voltage greater than the input voltage.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter is provided. When a load of the DC-DC converter is too light, the DC-DC converter can raise a frequency of its PWM signal, and reduce a pulse width of the PWM signal, so as to avoid the frequency of the PWM signal falling into a frequency range that can heard by human's ear and maintain high conversion efficiency of the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.

Abstract: A direct current-to-direct current (‘DC/DC’) converter for delivering a load to an electrical component, the DC/DC converter including: a coupled inductor, wherein the coupled inductor receives a source input voltage level and a outputs an output voltage level; a transient winding; and a variable impedance switch coupled to the transient winding, the variable impedance switch configured to operate by adjusting a delivered resistance level in dependence upon a change in the load to be delivered to the electrical component by the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A voltage regulator generates a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage and drive control signals. An error amplifier generates an error voltage signal responsive to the regulated output voltage and a reference voltage. A PWM modulator generates a PWM control signal responsive to the error voltage signal, a ramp voltage and an inverse of the reference voltage. Control circuitry within the PWM modulator maintains the error voltage signal applied to the PWM modulator at substantially a same DC voltage level over the reference voltage operating range and maintains the error voltage signal above a minimum value of the ramp voltage. Driver circuitry generates the drive control signals responsive to the PWM control signal.

Abstract: A SEPIC converter with over-voltage protection includes a high-side inductor that connects a node Vw to a node Vx. The node Vx is connected, in turn to ground by a power MOSFET. The node Vx is also connected to a node Vy by a first capacitor. The node Vy is connected to ground by a low-side inductor. A rectifier diode further connects the node Vy and a node Vout and an output capacitor is connected between the node Vout and ground. A PWM control circuit is connected to drive the power MOSFET. An over-voltage protection MOSFET connects an input supply to the PWM control circuit and the node Vw. A comparator monitors the voltage of the input supply. If that voltage exceeds a predetermined value Vref the comparator output causes the over-voltage protection MOSFET to disconnect the node Vw and the PWM control circuit from the input supply.

Abstract: A current mode synchronous rectification direct current (DC)/DC converter according to the present invention includes: a soft start function unit (in FIG. 1, a reference voltage generation unit (104) enabling a reference voltage REF to slowly increase while starting), for inhibiting a target value of an output voltage VO to be lower than that at a normal action while starting; and an output stabilization function unit (in FIG. 1, a frequency variable type oscillator (110A) generating a clock signal CLK and a slope voltage SLOPE through an oscillation frequency corresponding to a reference voltage REF), for performing at least one of waiting for start of a switching action and reduction of a drive frequency while starting.

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a line breaker that is connected in series to a direct-current power supply; a first capacitor that is connected in parallel to the direct-current power supply through the line breaker; a discharge circuit that includes a resistor and a first switching circuit connected in series and is connected in parallel to the first capacitor; a power converter for driving a synchronous machine; a second capacitor that is connected in parallel to a direct-current side of the power converter; a second switching circuit that is connected in series between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and a control circuit for controlling the discharge circuit. The control circuit controls the discharge circuit on the basis of the voltage of the first capacitor and the voltage of the second capacitor.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a switch controller for a switched-mode power supply includes an oscillator, an advance timing generator, and a dead zone generator. The advance timing generator generates an advance timing output pulse having a first pulse width that is asserted when the oscillator reaches a first phase. The dead zone generator produces a dead zone output having a second pulse width when the advance timing output pulse is de-asserted. This dead zone output pulse is coupled to a freeze input of the oscillator that freezes the phase accumulation of the oscillator when asserted. The controller also has a primary switch logic circuit that produces primary switch drive signals having a dead zone coincident with the dead zone output, and a secondary switch logic circuit that generates a secondary switch drive signal that is de-asserted when the advance timing output pulse becomes asserted.

Abstract: A current providing method utilized to a power supplying circuit, which provides an output current to a loading. The current providing method comprising: detecting if a current value of the output current is larger than a threshold current value; computing a number that the current value of the output current is larger than the threshold current value; determining if the number is larger or equal to a predetermined number; and controlling the power supplying circuit to decrease the output current to a predetermined current value if the number is larger or equal to the predetermined number.

Abstract: A boost circuit is used for power factor correction (PFC). In a low power application, transition mode control is utilized. However, switching frequency varies with different input voltages, and over a wide input voltage range, the switching frequency can become too high to be practical. To address this issue, a boost circuit is provided whose effective inductance changes as a function of input voltage. By changing the inductance, control is exercised over switching frequency.

Abstract: The present invention provides a circuit of reducing electro-magnetic interference for a power converter. The circuit includes an oscillator, a switching voltage divider, and a sample-and-hold circuit. The oscillator has a terminal for receiving a modulation voltage. The modulation voltage is correlated with an input voltage obtained from an input of the power converter. The switching voltage divider is enabled and disabled by a switch to attenuate the input voltage into a sampled voltage in response to a sampling signal. The sample-and-hold circuit receives the sampled voltage to generate the modulation voltage. A switch of the sample-and-hold circuit controlled by a holding signal conducts the sampled voltage to a capacitor of the sample-and-hold circuit to generate the modulation voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: A power supply controller produces a compensation value based at least in part on: an estimated or known output capacitance of the power supply, a specified rate of changing a magnitude of the output voltage as specified by the voltage setting information, and/or a load-line resistance of the power supply. The power supply controller utilizes the compensation value to adjust a magnitude of the output voltage during a voltage transition in which the output voltage is changed from an initial output voltage setting to a target output voltage setting at a pre-specified rate.

Abstract: A pulse regulation loop for a clocked switching power converter where the loop is around a bridge converter. The loop features a comparator, a charge pump and a filter in series, feeding a pulse modulator controlling the clock duty cycle of the bridge. Ripple in the bridge converter output is feed to the comparator which causes the charge pump to inject or remove charge from the filter at the clock rate providing control over the modulator that establishes converter efficiency. The charge pump is of the PLL type, having switches responsive to voltage output from the comparator, evaluating the converter ripple relative to a reference voltage.

Abstract: According to example configurations herein, while operating a power supply in a discontinuous power supply mode, a controller initiates activation of a first switch of the power supply to increase a magnitude of current flowing through an inductor. The flow of current through the inductor produces an output voltage for powering a load. The controller estimates a time duration in which to activate a second switch of the power supply to reduce the current flowing through the inductor. The controller uses the estimated time duration as a parameter for controlling the second switch in the power supply. For example, upon or after deactivating the first switch, the controller initiates activation of the second switch for the estimated time duration. Deactivation of the second switch based on the estimated time duration reduces or eliminates a need to employ complex circuitry to physically measure a magnitude of current through the inductor.

Abstract: A sequential shunt regulator switch system and method is disclosed. A power switch is controlled to switch a first current from a power source to an electrical bus. Further, a current controllable switch provides a controlled current from the power source to the electrical bus.

Abstract: A control system provides a control signal to a nonlinear plant that generates a response signal responsive to the control signal. The control system includes a detector that detects a predetermined value of a plant quantity, valley switching logic, coupled to the detector, to change a state of a plant switch when the plant quantity is minimized, and a pulse-width modulator, coupled to the valley switching logic, to generate a control signal that controls the plant switch. The valley switching logic includes a nonlinear delta-sigma modulator that compensates for an error in a plant response signal by adjusting the duration of an on-time of a plant switch to cause an average value of the plant response signal to converge toward a target signal value.

Abstract: A power control device for performing switching control for an output voltage of a power supply device includes a signal generation circuit for comparing a difference between a value of the output voltage and a value of a first reference voltage with a value of a second reference voltage, and for stopping the switching control when a value of the difference is less than or equal to the value of the second reference voltage, and an adjuster circuit for adjusting the second reference voltage based on a ratio between a value of an input voltage and the value of the output voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a DC to DC converter device which includes an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit comprises a first comparator, a second comparator, a first switch, a first latch, and a current sensor. The inductor current includes a peak current value and a valley current value. The first comparator detects the peak current value and resets the first latch which opens the first switch. The second comparator detects the valley current value and sets the first latch which closes the first switch. The current sensor is coupled to sense an inductor current flowing through an output load, and is coupled to provide a sense voltage to the first and second comparators. In this manner, the electronic circuit provides DC to DC conversion with current control.

Abstract: A power factor correction device includes a rectifier for converting an AC input voltage into a DC input voltage, an output module for generating and outputting a DC output voltage, an intermediate inductor coupled between the rectifier and the output module, a power switch for controlling an inductor current of the intermediate inductor and generating a source voltage, a reset module for generating a reset instruction according to the DC input voltage, the DC output voltage and the source voltage, an SR flip-flop for outputting a latch result according to a set instruction and the reset instruction, and a set module for generating the set instruction in response to variation of the intermediate inductor or variation of the latch result.

Abstract: A PWM controller and control method for a DC-DC voltage converter filter the high-frequency component of the voltage at the phase node between high-side and low-side elements of the voltage converter to generate a signal synchronous and in phase or out-of-phase with the inductor current of the voltage converter, to achieve a low-ripple output voltage and stable loop control.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for control of DC-DC converters. The DC-DC converter is operable so that the low side supply switch may be inhibited from turning on in a cycle following the high side supply switch turning off. Turn on of the low side switch is inhibited if the time between turn off of the high side switch and the inductor (L) current reaching zero is less than a predetermined duration. Inhibiting the low side switch from turning on can prevent the inductor current from going negative, which would reduce the efficiency of the converter. When turn on of the low side switch is inhibited the inductor current flows through a parallel path, such as a parasitic body diode associated with the low side switch, which allows current flow in one direction only.

Abstract: A power conversion system and power control method for reducing cross regulation effect uses a voltage feedback adjustment circuit to modulate an error signal fed back from an output voltage so as to predict the energy of an output corresponding to its load states. While the energy delivered to an output terminal with its load remaining the same does not change, the energy delivered to an output terminal with its load changing is adjusted accordingly. The power conversion system thus effectively reduces the cross regulation effect and obtains excellent steady system output and transient response.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is configurable to operate in a linear regulator mode or a buck regulator mode. To operate in the buck regulator mode, the voltage regulator is coupled to an inductor. To determine whether an inductor is coupled to voltage regulator, and thus whether the voltage regulator can be configured in the buck regulator mode, a detection circuit determines whether a regulator output of the voltage regulator resists a change in current driven to the regulator output.