Abstract: A current conversion circuit having multiple voltage levels with CMOS gates that switch the output capacitors so as to be coupled to the input of another voltage level to move the charge from one voltage level to another voltage level and thus increase the output current while decreasing the output voltage.

Abstract: A device for providing a high d.c. voltage supply and a low d.c. voltage supply. The device includes, in parallel, a first diode connected in series with a capacitor, a rectifier having a polarity opposite to that of the first diode, and a breakover voltage limiter. The terminals of the low d.c. voltage source correspond to the terminals of the capacitor.

Abstract: A multilevel converter structure made up of cells in cascade, each intermediate cell containing two switches, with one pole of each of the two switches forming part of a pair of upstream poles and the other pole of each of the switches forming part of a pair of downstream poles, the pair of downstream poles of an upstream cell being connected to the pair of upstream poles of a downstream cell, the converter structure also having a respective capacitor for each cell, each capacitor being connected between the two poles constituting the pair of downstream poles of its cell.

Abstract: This invention provides a voltage inverting charge pump 20. The charge pump 20 produces an output at node 60 which is twice the magnitude of the inverse of the input voltage applied to node 50. A first set of switches 22, 24, 26, 28 are connected to the pair of pump capacitors 36, 38 and a voltage supply input so as to connect the pump capacitors 36, 38 and the voltage supply input in parallel when the first set of switches 22, 24, 26, 28 is closed. A second set of switches 30, 32, 34 is connected to the pump capacitors 36, 38, a hold capacitor 40, and an output terminal 60 so as to connect the charged pump capacitors 36, 38 in series with the output terminal 60 and in parallel with the hold capacitor 40 when the second set of switches 30, 32, 34 is closed.

Abstract: The capacitive voltage transformer is provided for a metal-enclosed, gas-filled high-voltage system. It has a cylindrical capacitor having two coaxially arranged, electrically conducting cylinders (12, 13), of which one internally arranged cylinder (12) is at a high voltage potential and outwardly bounds a current-carrying conductor (5) of the system. An externally arranged one of the two cylinders (13) is inserted in an electrically insulated fashion into the metal enclosure (4). In a first embodiment of the voltage transformer the internal cylinder (12) has an enclosing tube (16) formed from a material having a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion than copper.

Abstract: A switching regulator circuit using a common switch network on a single IC for providing step-up and step-down DC--DC conversion is provided. The switching regulator uses switched capacitor techniques and hence avoids EMI, parasitic and stability concerns particular to inductors and transformers. The converter circuit includes control circuitry for sensing the voltage differential between the input and output to determine whether step-up or step-down mode is to be used. The control circuitry also senses the voltage differential between the input and output and enables the minimum number of switch sections needed to fully regulate the output, using the highest switch resistance possible to minimize inrush current from the input to the output.

Abstract: Electrical device, in particular a radio device, with an energy storage device. The invention relates to an electrical device, in particular a radio device, with an energy storage device (6) which serves as a current supply. To ensure a high flexibitility in view of the possible use of different energy storage devices with different discharging behaviors, a circuit arrangement (14) is provided for converting a voltage (U.sub.E) supplied by the energy storage device into at least one supply voltage (U.sub.out) which serves for supplying circuits of the electrical device, which is substantially constant, and which is preprogrammable. The circuit arrangement (14) in a first switching state reduces a voltage (U.sub.E) supplied by the energy storage device (6) to the supply voltage (U.sub.out), acting as a downconverter, and in a second switching state steps up a voltage (U.sub.E) supplied by the energy storage device (6) to the supply voltage (U.sub.out), acting as an upconverter.

Abstract: A multilevel converter including, in particular, a capacitor for each of its cells, and control means comprising means for evaluating the mean voltage across the terminals of each of the capacitors, means for measuring any difference on each of said capacitors between the evaluated mean charge voltage and the nominal mean charge voltage of the capacitor, and additional control means changing the time positions of the converter control signals in a direction such that the measured difference is reduced.

Abstract: Magnetic-free DC/DC converters, methods of operation thereof and a computer system employing at least one converter. In one embodiment, the converter includes: (1) an input capacitor coupled to a DC input of the converter, (2) a first switch coupled between the input capacitor and an output of the converter to transfer electrical power from the DC input to the output when the first switch is closed, (3) an output capacitor coupled in parallel with the output of the converter, (4) a second switch coupled in parallel with the input capacitor to short the input capacitor when the second switch is closed and (5) a switching controller circuit, coupled to the first and second switches, that provides complementary control signals to the first and second switches that are a function of an output voltage of the converter.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for a charge pump is provided with two input paths from a reference input voltage to a comparator, each path having a node between a capacitor pair. The two paths are alternately initialized and used to control the charge pump which generates a reference output voltage, so that the reference output voltage tracks the reference input voltage at all times. Each path has its own capacitor divider and switching circuitry to alternately connect the nodes between the respective pairs of capacitors to the comparator, which compares the nodes to a second voltage reference. Since the circuit is alternately initialized, any alterations to the voltage introduced at the nodes between each of the two capacitor pairs, are corrected to the proper level within a short time.

Abstract: A multilevel converter comprising, in particular, a capacitor (C1, C2, . . . , Cn) in each of its cells. The capacitors nominally have charge voltages proportional to their respective ranks in the converter. The converter also includes circuits (VMO1, VMO2, . . . , VMOn) for evaluating the mean voltage across the terminals of each of the capacitors (C1, C2, . . . , Cn), circuits (VE1, VE2, . . . , VEn) for measuring any difference that may occur with respect to each of the capacitors (C1, C2, . . . , Cn) between the evaluated mean charge voltage and the nominal mean charge voltage of the capacitor, and for providing a corresponding difference signal (VEC1, VEC2, . . . , VECn), and also correction control circuits (BT, EC1, EC2, . . . , ECn) receiving the difference signals and correspondingly causing at least one temporary coupling to be established between two capacitors in order to correct the difference.

Abstract: An electrical power transfer apparatus for connecting to a multiphase power line carrying a AC signal having a period of T.sub.AC, the apparatus including: a capacitive storage circuit; a plurality of charge transfer circuits connected to the capacitive storage circuit and each of which is connected to a different phase of the multiphase power line, wherein during operation the charge transfer circuits resonantly transfer power to and from the multiphase power line and capacitive storage circuit, wherein the resonant transfers to and from the capacitive charge storage circuit occur with a resonant frequency at least as great as 1/T.sub.AC ; and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of charge transfer circuits and which during operation causes the plurality of charge transfer circuits to transfer power between different phases of the multiphase power line via the capacitive storage circuit.

Abstract: A multilevel converter comprising, in particular, one capacitor (C1, C2, . . . , Cn) and two switches (T1, T'1; for example) in each of its cells. The cells operate successively in a period that repeats at a converter frequency. In parallel with the load (C), a filter circuit (CF) is provided to dissipate the energy of any component having a fundamental frequency that corresponds to said converter period. The filter comprises one or more RLC type series circuits.

Abstract: A charge pump controller provides the timing and drive voltages necessary for an self-regulated charge pump voltage converter. The controller utilizes a conventional non-overlapping two-phase clock to control the timing of switch drivers which control an array of switches. Pump and reservoir capacitors are distributed within the array. One of the switch drivers produces a modulated, or linear, drive voltage for one of the switches in the array in response to the charge pump's output voltage. The controller thereby produces a regulated output voltage from the charge pump.

Abstract: A multilevel converter including, in particular, a capacitor (C1, C2, . . . , Cn) for each of its cells. The capacitors have nominal charge voltages proportional to their respective ranks in the converter. It also includes control means (BT, DA1, . . . , DAn, pe2, . . . , pen) organized to evaluate said voltage of the voltage source (VECn), and whenever it is insufficient, to suspend said nominal operation of the converter (SE) and to act on said switches (T1, T'1; T2; T'2; . . . ; Tn, T'n) in such a manner that initially, while said voltage of the voltage source is being established, it begins by charging all of the capacitors of the converter (C1, C2, . . . , Cn), after which said control means establish said nominal operation of the converter.

Abstract: A transformer including two half capacitive transformers operating in antiphase. Each half capacitive transformer steps an input voltage down during one phase of a clock signal. Each half capacitive transformer uses a number of capacitors and switching circuitry controlled by a clock signal. According to whether the clock signal is active or inactive, the switching circuitry places the half capacitive transformer in one of two configurations. In a first embodiment, in one configuration the capacitors are coupled in parallel between the input voltage and the output port, while in the other configuration, the capacitors are coupled in series between the output port and ground. In an alternative embodiment of the half capacitive transformer, in one configuration the capacitors are coupled in series between the input voltage and the output port while in the other configuration the capacitors are coupled in parallel between the output port and ground.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC voltage convertor is made up of a capacitor array having plural capacitor elements (C.sub.p1, C.sub.p2, C.sub.p3) and a plurality of switches (S2 . . . S10) which are switchable between at least two states. When the switches are switched in the first state, the capacitor elements are connected in series, and when the switches are connected in the second state, the capacitor elements are connected in parallel. The DC-to-DC voltage convertor may be configured as a step-down convertor (FIG. 2a) or a step-up convertor (FIG. 2b).

Abstract: A novel power conversion system includes an energy storage circuit including a plurality of capacitors forming multiple stages, wherein each of the multiple stages includes one or more of the capacitors; a charging circuit connected to the energy storage circuit and during a charging cycle charging the plurality of capacitors from a voltage source to a predetermined voltage; a circuit for inverting the polarity of the voltage across selected capacitors; and a discharging circuit connected to the energy storage circuit and during a discharging cycle extracting power from the plurality of connected capacitors at a transformed voltage. The energy storage circuit further includes an interstage coupling circuit that provides interconnections interconnecting the capacitor stages. During the charging cycle, the interstage coupling circuit assumes one of two modes and during the discharging cycle, it assumes the other of the two modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for altering an electrical signal between a first device and a second device. The apparatus includes a support structure or interconnection member having at least two surfaces with a plurality of contacts on each surface. The contacts are arranged in a predesignated pattern to mate with the conductors of each of the devices. In a typical application, the apparatus will be used to connect a microprocessor powered by approximately 3.3 V to a printed circuit board of a system using a power supply of approximately 5.0 V.

Abstract: A voltage converting circuit of the charge pump step-up type includes a first circuit means for charging each of first and second capacitors with the voltage of a voltage source at a first timing. A second circuit operates to serially connect the charged first capacitor between a positive electrode of the voltage source and a positive voltage output terminal at a second timing so that a positive voltage which is a double of the voltage source voltage, is supplied from positive voltage output terminal. A third circuit operates to the charged first and second capacitors in series between a ground terminal and a negative voltage output terminal at a third timing so that a negative voltage which is a double of the voltage source voltage, is supplied from the negative voltage output terminal.

Abstract: A reference current source (38) and a matched reference transistor (40) are provided as part of a current limiting circuit, wherein the matched reference transistor (40) is scaled, electrically matched, and physically located in close proximity to an on-chip switching transistor (16) of a DC--DC converter. By serially coupling the reference current source (38) to the reference transistor (40), a reference signal (48), which is equal to the voltage across the reference transistor (40), is generated. The reference signal (48) is compared to the voltage across the switching transistor (16) while the switching transistor (16) is conducting. When the voltage across the switching transistor (16) exceeds that across reference transistor (40), the gate drive to the switching transistor (16) is disabled for the remainder of the current conductive phase.

Abstract: A DC voltage divider for converting electric energy which includes capacitors, diodes and switches. The divider is a device for unidirectional transmission, on the condition that its input and output operate alternatively. The divider divides a high voltage input into a low voltage DC output. The transmission ratio of input impedance to output impedance is equal to N.sup.2, where N is the number of capacitors included in the divider. The divider can be used in electric power supply devices to replace transformers to transform an input voltage to a lower value. The divider also has high power output and efficiency. The divider is small in size, low in cost, and its output can be controlled by adjusting the operating frequency.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable switched capacitor power supply and a method for operation thereof. The power supply includes a first dynamically adjustable switched capacitor network having a first input, a first output and including a first plurality of n many switched capacitors. The first input is adapted to be coupled to a power source. The first dynamically adjustable switched capacitor network provides a step-up or step-down power supply regulation function in response to first control signals. The power supply includes a control network having an error detector coupled to the first output, an oscillator for providing a clocking signal, an analog to digital conversion circuit for providing a digital representation of a voltage of the power source and control logic for providing the first control signals in response to the clocking signal and in response to signals from the error detector.

Abstract: An AC-to-DC converter for providing a step-down output DC voltage from an AC voltage source. The converter includes a rectifier connected to the AC voltage source to provide therefrom a rectified DC voltage to a step-up chopper. The chopper includes an inductor and a switching element which is connected in series with the inductor across the rectifier and which is driven to periodically turn on and off so as to store into the inductor an energy from the rectified DC voltage when the switching element is turned on and to release the energy from the inductor through a blocking diode to a charge-pump circuit when the switching element is turned off. The charge-pump circuit is connected to receive the energy released from the inductor as well as from the rectifier to accumulate a first voltage and provides a divided voltage of the first voltage to charge a smoothing capacitor by the divided voltage so as to develop thereat the step-down output DC voltage for driving a load.

Abstract: A charge-balanced switched-capacitor circuit (50, 61) includes two capacitors (53, 54/72, 73) which are equalized by being connected in parallel during a first time period. This equalization cancels any mismatch in either capacitor (53, 54/72, 73) which would tend to affect an associated common-mode voltage. During a second time period, the two capacitors (53, 54/72, 73) are connected in series between two signal lines (42, 43). In one embodiment, the switched-capacitor circuit (50) forms a common-mode feedback sensing circuit by providing a common-mode feedback voltage to a fully-differential amplifier (41) at a common interconnection point of the two capacitors (53, 54). This embodiment draws no DC current, and thus prevents harmonic distortion of an output signal on the two signal lines when using a slew-rate limited amplifier (41). In another embodiment, the switched-capacitor circuit (61) functions as an input sampler at an input of a switched-capacitor amplifier circuit (60).

Abstract: A transformerless power conversion system including a plurality of capacitors connected in series; a charging circuit connected to the plurality of capacitors, the charging circuit charging the plurality of capacitors from a voltage source to a predetermined voltage; a circuit for inverting the polarity of the charge stored in selected capacitors of the plurality of capacitors, the polarity inverting circuit including a plurality of inductor circuits, each of which can be switchably coupled to a corresponding different one of the selected capacitors to form a resonant circuit which aids in inverting the polarity of a stored charge in that capacitor; and a discharging circuit for extracting power from the plurality of capacitors at a transformed voltage.

Abstract: A switching power supply that converts an input AC or DC voltage to a regulated output DC voltage while offering electrical isolation between the input and output stages through use of solid state switches and charge storage devices in place of isolation transformer used in traditional systems. The power supply uses two series connected switching blocks that alternately charge and discharge a storage capacitor, wherein each switching block includes a pair of switches which may be turned on and off with a duty cycle adjusted by a controller. The duty cycle and on time of each block is adjusted such that respective blocks are never turned on at the same time, thereby providing electrical isolation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new Transformerless Power Conversion System (TPCS) that allows a direct voltage step-up or step-down of DC or AC power without the use of magnetic core transformers. The operation is accomplished with solid state switching devices, capacitors, preferentially air core inductors and a switch control system.The conversion and step-up from AC to DC and the inverse process can be implemented with high efficiency and without the generation of harmonics. The transformer elimination in conjunction with high inversion frequency operation results in a low weight system without transformer core losses and third harmonic generation. For high ratio DC to DC transformation the TPCS transports the input charge directly to the output without requiring an AC link. The three distinct operations of charging, transformation, and energy discharge are typically in sequential order and allows a complete isolation between the input and output power grids.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes first and second capacitors coupled in parallel, a switching part for controlling the first and second capacitors so that the first capacitor is charged by an input voltage and the second capacitor is charged by a discharging of the first capacitor, an output voltage being obtained at one end of the second capacitor, and the switching part including a discharge path through which the second capacitor is discharged. An output voltage detection units detects the output voltage and determines whether or not the output voltage satisfies a predetermined condition. A discharge path breaking units breakes the discharge path when the output voltage detection unit determines that the output voltage satisfies the predetermined condition, so that the first capacitor is prevented from being discharged through discharge path.

Abstract: A power supply circuit comprises first charge storing means, second and third charge storing means supplying their charged voltages so as to be used as sources of predetermined voltages applied to associated loads respectively, switch means capable of selectively establishing at least a first mode and a second mode so that, in the first mode, the first and second charge storing means are connected in series with a d.c. power source to be charged by a power supply voltage, while, in the second mode, the first charge storing means is electrically isolated from the d.c. power source and the second charge storing means, and the third charge storing means is connected to the first charge storing means in a closed circuit to be charged by the charges stored in the first charge storing means, and a drive circuit driving the switch means so that the switch means repeats an operation cycle including at least the first mode and the second mode executed in that order.

Abstract: A DC to DC power converter having first and second input terminals and an output terminal for providing an output voltage at the output terminal which is at a potential halfway between a DC potential applied by a DC power supply across the first and second input terminal is disclosed. The converter comprises first and second switches connected at a switch junction in series across the first and second input terminals, first and second series-coupled diodes coupled at a diode junction across the first and second input terminals in reverse-bias relationship with respect to the DC potential applied across the first and second input terminals, a transformer comprising two windings inductively linked and having first and second ends and a center-tap, the ends coupled between the switch junction and the diode junction and the center-tap coupled to the output terminal and means for alternately switching the first and the second switches at an equal duty factor.

Abstract: A circuit for charging capacitors having a power source, a plurality of capacitors for accumulating an electric charge from the power source, switching elements with electrically controllable inputs for connecting or disconnecting at least one of the capacitors to or from the power source, and resistors for setting the switching elements to turn off. These resistors are connected to the control inputs of the switching elements and to one of two terminals of the power source directly so that the resistors consume the electric charge only when the power source supplies the electric charge.

Abstract: A power supply adapter system is provided which includes a voltage supply source terminal, an output terminal, first and second switches, the first switch being disposed between the voltage supply source terminal and the output terminal, voltage conversion means serially connected with the second switch and disposed between the voltage supply source terminal and a point of reference potential and having an output coupled to the output terminal, and means for detecting first and second ranges of voltages at the power supply source terminal and for producing first and second control voltages, respectively, to control the first and second switches.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter for producing a plurality of output voltages, comprising a transformer having a primary coil and a plurality of secondary coils; a switching circuit adapted to turn ON and OFF the supply of input DC voltage to the primary coil; rectifying and smoothing circuits for rectifying and smoothing the AC voltages obtained in the secondary coils; a circuit means connected in series with the rectifying and smoothing circuits to obtain the sum of the output voltages from the respective rectifying and smoothing circuits; and a control circuit adapted to receive the lowest DC output voltage from the rectifying and smoothing circuits and to control the ON - OFF operation of the switching circuit so that the lowest voltage is maintained at a constant level, and wherein the DC voltages from the respective rectifying and smoothing circuits are obtained by making use of one of the output terminals of the lowest DC voltage as a common terminal.

Abstract: A switching dc-to-dc converter with a variable conversion ratio of NT.sub.1 /T.sub.2 or T.sub.1 /NT.sub.2 utilizes N reactance elements, selected to be either all capacitors or all inductors, for energy transfer from a voltage source to a load. Switches are utilized for connecting the elements in parallel, or series, to the source, and for connecting the elements in series, or parallel, to the load, alternately. Operation of the switches that alternately connect the elements to the source, and switches that connect the elements to the load, determine the variable part of the conversion ratio NT.sub.1 /T.sub.2 or T.sub.1 /T.sub.2 N by control of the time T.sub.1 that the elements are connected in series, or parallel, with the source, and of the time T.sub.2 that the elements are connected in parallel, or series, with the load.

Abstract: This circuit uses a simple structure of series-parallel connected capacitors and diodes to implement an n/m voltage divider circuit. There are n columns of series connected capacitors, which columns are all connected in parallel. The capacitor valves are selected so that in each column the ratio of charging capacitance to discharging capacitance is n:m. The diodes automatically switch the capacitor charging and discharging currents to the series-parallel connected capacitors.

Abstract: A supply arrangement selectively operates from either one of dual AC mains supply voltages of, illustratively, 220 or 110 volt RMS AC. When the arrangement operates from the 220 volt AC mains supply voltage, a bridge rectifier, operating as a full-wave rectifier, charges each of series coupled first and second capacitors to one-half the peak of the AC mains supply voltage. During the positive half-period of the AC mains supply voltage, a positive voltage, equal to the difference between the instantaneous mains supply voltage and the DC voltage across the first capacitor is coupled between two terminals of a load such as a degaussing circuit. A corresponding negative difference voltage, is coupled between the two terminals during the other half-period.

Abstract: A power supply for small integrated circuit devices which utilize a nominal supply voltage of 1.5 V but which are energized by a long-life lithium-iodine battery having a terminal voltage of 2.8 V. The power supply reduces the voltage to the integrated circuit to the required 1.5 V and also provides a means for delivering current peaks to a device operated by the integrated circuit, such as a stepping motor or LED display, while maintaining a relatively constant supply voltage to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage dividing circuit comprising capacitors or resistors. In the case of a voltage dividing circuit comprising capacitors, the capacitors are connected at one end to an output terminal and at the other end connected alternately to two power sources through changeover switches. The switches are selectively operated so that the capacitors divide the source voltages into fractions of the voltage. The average of the fractions of voltage is used an output voltage. The averaging of the fractions of voltage cancels out the characteristic difference among the capacitors. The fractions of voltage are changed by varying the time during which each capacitor is connected to either power source. Similarly, in the case of a voltage dividing circuit comprising resistors, the resistors divide a voltage into fractions. The average of the fractions of voltage is used as an output voltage.

Abstract: A capacitively ballasted low voltage lamp comprising a main capacitor connected electrically in series with the lamp, across an alternating current source, and one or more auxiliary capacitors that can be connected electrically across the main capacitor by switching means for one or more source waveform cycles. The minimum lamp current is established by the main capacitor, with additional lamp current flowing through one or more auxiliary capacitors during one or more source waveform cycles.

Abstract: A capacitively ballasted low voltage lamp utilizing a main capacitor connected electrically in series with the lamp, across an alternating current source, and one or more auxiliary capacitors that can be connected electrically across the main capacitor by switching means for one or more source waveform cycles. Each switching means comprises a unidirectional conductive device electrically connected in parallel with an active switching device. The minimum lamp current is established by the main capacitor, with additional lamp current flowing through one or more auxiliary capacitors during a source waveform cycle or integral multiples thereof.

Abstract: An electronic circuit, having a load circuit driven by a battery, includes a voltage drop circuit to provide a constant dropped voltage even when the battery weakens and the load is activated. During load circuit activation, the dropped voltage is provided by two capacitors in the voltage drop circuit which are charged only during the non-drive period of the load circuit.

Abstract: A signal voltage dividing circuit in which two switched capacitors each including an input terminal, an output terminal and a capacitor connected selectively to the input terminal or the output terminal are connected in series and driven in opposite phase with each other. A holding capacitor is connected between the junction of the two switched capacitors and a reference potential. An input signal is supplied across the two switched capacitors to produce a divided output signal from the junction of the two switched capacitors.

Abstract: A power supply providing power to a low voltage lamp utilizing a main capacitor connected electrically in series with the lamp, across an alternating current source, and an auxiliary capacitor connected electrically across the main capacitor by a switching device during selected portions of the source waveform cycle. The minimum lamp current is established by the main capacitor, with additional lamp current flowing through the auxiliary capacitor during portions of the source waveform cycle when the auxiliary capacitor is electrically connected across the main capacitor. The load current is adjusted over a desired range established by the magnitude of the main and auxiliary capacitors.

Abstract: A power supply, operating at line frequencies, for energizing a low-voltage lamp and like loads, utilizes a main capacitor in series with the load across the A.C. line source, and an auxiliary capacitor connected across the main capacitor by a switching device during a selected portion of the source waveform cycle. The minimum load current is established by the main capacitor, with additional load current flowing through the auxiliary capacitor during those portions of the source waveform cycle when connected, whereby the load current may be adjusted over a range established by the magnitude of the main and auxiliary capacitors. An open-loop circuit is disclosed for controlling the portion of the cycle during which the auxiliary capacitor is connected.

Abstract: A voltage divider circuit is provided which can be fabricated as a portion of a monolithic integrated circuit without requiring any external capacitors. The voltage divider circuit has a pair of capacitors which are alternately switched between series connection and parallel connection to divide an input supply voltage. The voltage divider circuit can thereby provide a second supply voltage of one half the input supply voltage.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the voltage of a battery is supplied to an electronic circuit such as a watch circuit through a step down circuit which is constructed of capacitors and switching MIDFETs. The step down circuit performs a current converting operation as well as a voltage converting operation. The operating current of the electronic circuit is reduced by the reduction in the operating voltage of the same. As a result that the operating current level of the electronic circuit is dropped and that the current conversion is performed by the step down circuit, the battery current is relatively largely dropped. The construction thus far described elongates the lifetime of the battery. According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a circuit which is proper for driving the step down circuit.

Abstract: Four switching elements are configured to reduce the voltage of either an alternating or a direct current electrical power source. The present circuit effectively operates like a variable autotransformer when used with a.c. input power. Additionally, when employed with a conventional resistive load, the present invention exhibits a power factor near unity.

Abstract: A power circuit for an electronic timepiece having a liquid crystal display includes a voltage regulation circuit, a voltage reduction circuit and a voltage booster circuit. In normal operation the voltage reduction circuit operates to drive the timekeeping circuits and extend battery life. When battery voltage drops due to heavy load, such as an alarm or lamp, the voltage regulation circuit and booster circuits operate to drive the timekeeping circuits and liquid crystal display respectively. The same transistors operate in the voltage reduction and booster circuits.

Abstract: A power source supply system uses an electric cell power source whose output voltage is 3 V, and drops the output voltage of 3 V to 1.5 V by a first voltage drop circuit and further drops the voltage of 1.5 V to 0.75 V to operate a logic circuit at the dropped voltage of 0.75 V.