Importance

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Abstract

A DC-to-DC converter includes a charge pump, connected to a switch drive and to an input voltage, for selectively boosting the supply voltage to the switch drive; and a charge pump controller cooperating with the charge pump for controlling the supply voltage to the switch drive. The charge pump preferably includes a plurality of transistors connected in series with the supply voltage, and at least one capacitor connected to the transistors. The charge pump controller passes through the input voltage to the supply voltage based upon the input voltage being above a first voltage; boosts the supply voltage to a substantially constant value based upon the input voltage being less than the first voltage and greater than or equal to a second voltage wherein the second voltage is less than the first voltage; and boosts the supply voltage by a multiple of the input voltage based upon the input voltage being less than the second voltage. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

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First Claim