WO2009002541A1

WO2009002541A1 - Gate driving scheme for depletion mode devices in buck converters

Info

Publication number: WO2009002541A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/007982
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bo Yang; Jason Zhang; Michael Briere
Original assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2008-06-27
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Also published as: DE112008001273B4; US20110074375A1; US8072202B2; CN101682720A; US7839131B2; US20090051225A1; DE112008001273T5

Abstract

A circuit for driving a switching stage including control and sync switches seπes connected at a switching node, at least one of the control and sync switches being a normal ON depletion mode device, the circuit comprising a gate dπver including first and second switching stages for generating gate dnve signals for the sync and control switches, respectively, the first switching stage having a first driver output node and the second switching stage having a second driver output node, a signal from the first node driving the sync switch and a signal from the second node driving the control switch and a circuit connected to the first and second switching stages, the circuit including a first circuit providing a first voltage source, the first circuit being coupled to the first switching stage and to the sync switch.

Description

GATE DRIVING SCHEME FOR DEPLETION MODE DEVICES IN BUCK CONVERTERS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/946,550, filed on June 27, 2007 and entitled GATE DRIVING SCHEME FOR DEPLETION MODE DEVICES IN BUCK CONVERTERS, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to gate drivers for depletion mode devices, e.g., in buck converters and more particularly to generating gate drive signals for providing negative voltage offset for turning off depletion mode devices.

[0003] When gate to source voltage of a depletion mode device, such as a GaN device, is zero, the device is in ON state. To turn OFF the depletion mode device, a negative voltage needs to be applied on its gate, referenced to source. Gate drivers used for enhancement mode power MOSFETs can not work with the depletion mode devices directly. Therefore, new schemes have to be developed to drive depletion mode devices.

[0004] What is needed are new driving schemes for use with gate drivers for depletion mode devices, and in particular, in DC/DC Buck converter circuits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[000S] It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit that allows a gate driver to provide negative voltage to the gates of normal ON depletion mode devices.

{00919004.1} [0006] Provided is a circuit for driving a switching stage including control and sync switches series connected at a switching node, at least one of the control and sync switches being a normal ON depletion mode device, the circuit comprising a gate driver including first and second switching stages for generating gate drive signals for the sync and control switches, respectively, the first switching stage having a first driver output node and the second switching stage having a second driver output node, a signal from the first node driving the sync switch and a signal from the second node driving the control switch; and a circuit connected to the first and second switching stages, the circuit comprising a first circuit providing a first voltage source, the first circuit being coupled to the first switching stage and to the sync switch, a first bias voltage from said first voltage source being switched by said first switching stage, said first switching stage having a first state wherein said sync switch is on, and a second state wherein said first bias voltage is switched to the gate of said sync switch to turn said sync switch off; and a second circuit including a first energy storage device for charging with a second bias voltage, the second switching circuit having a first state, wherein said control switch is on when said sync switch is off and having a second state wherein said control switch is switched off when said sync switch is on by switching said second bias voltage to the gate of said control switch.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention that refers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 a is a diagram of a synchronous (sync) buck converter circuit with normal ON control and sync devices;

[0009] Figure Ib is a graph illustrating signals for driving the control and sync devices of the sync buck converter circuit of Figure Ia;

{00919004.1 } [0010] Figure 2a is a diagram of a sync buck converter circuit with normal OFF control and normal ON sync devices;

[0011] Figure 2b is a graph illustrating signals for driving the control and sync devices of the sync buck converter circuit of Figure 2a;

[0012] Figures 3a-3f are diagrams of various circuits driving sync buck converters with both control and sync switches being normal ON devices;

[0013] Figures 4a-4d are diagrams of various circuits driving sync buck converters with only the sync switch being a normal ON switch;

[0014] Figures 5a-5b are diagrams of circuits driving sync buck converters with only the sync switches being normal ON devices; and

[0015] Figures 6 is a diagram of a circuit driving a sync buck converter with both the control and sync switches being normal ON switches.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Figures Ia and 2a show two configurations of a synchronous Buck converter having a normal ON sync switch device G2. The converter of Figure Ia uses normal ON devices for both control switch Gl and sync switch device G2. The converter of Figure 2a uses the normal ON device only for sync switch G2, while using a normal OFF switch for control switch Ql. Accordingly, Figure Ib shows the gate waveforms required for driving control switch Gl and sync switch G2 of the converter circuit of Figure Ia and Figure 2b shows the gate waveforms required for driving control switch Ql and sync switch G2 of the converter circuit of Figure 2a.

[0017] Figures 3a-3f show configurations to drive the sync buck converter with both control and sync switch being normal ON devices. Figures 3 a-3f illustrate a converter stage having control and sync switches Gl and G2 series connected at a switching node SW. The sync switch has a Zener diode connected across it. Control switch Gl is further

{00919004.1} connected to a voltage source Vin and sync switch G2 is connected to ground. An LC filter including an inductor L and a capacitor C and the load R are connected to the switching node. For Figures 3a-3f both control and sync switches Gl and G2 are normal ON GaN HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) devices.

[0018] Turning to Fig. 3a, a driver 12 controlling control and sync switches Gl and G2 includes high and low switching stages 14 and 16. Each switching stage includes a first P-channel switch 18, 22 and a second N-channel switch 20, 24. Although complementary switches are shown, all switches can be of the same type, with appropriate control signals to ensure that the switches of each driver stage are switched on alternately, as known to those of skill in the art. The pairs of switches 18 and 20 and 22 and 24 are connected at switching nodes HDr for the high stage 14 and LDr for the low stage 16. Switching node HDr of the high stage of the driver is connected to a gate terminal of control switch Gl and switching node LDr of the low stage of the driver is connected to a gate terminal of sync switch G2.

[0019] In a first embodiment of the Buck circuit of the present invention shown in Fig. 3a, the circuit includes first and second voltage sources Vdrl and Vdr2, capacitor Cl and diode Dl. The source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14 is connected to switching node SW. Capacitor Cl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 18 and 20 of the high stage 14. The positive terminal of second voltage source Vdr2 is connected to the drain of control switch Gl . Diode Dl is connected between the source terminal of the switch 20 of the high stage 14 (at anode) and a negative terminal of second voltage source Vdr2 (at cathode).

[0020] The source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 is connected to the source of sync switch G2. The positive terminal of a first voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and the negative terminal of first voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16.

{00919004.1} [0021] The circuit of Fig. 3a operates as follows:

[0022] When switch 18 is turned on and switch 20 is off (dead times are being ignored herein for simplicity), the gate of Gl is connected to its source, and the control switch Gl is on.

[0023] At the same time, on the sync channel side, switch 22 is off and switch 24 is on. This places -Vdrl across the gate of G2 to source, so the sync switch is off. When switch 18 is turned off, switch 20 goes on. Before switch 18 goes off, however, capacitor Cl is charged up in the direction shown in Fig. 3a to Vdr2 above V_IN via diode Dl through the control switch Gl. When switch 20 goes on (and 18 off), the voltage across Cl is coupled across the gate-source path of the control switch such that the gate of Gl is negative with respect to its source. Accordingly, the control switch goes off. Finally, at the same time, on the sync side, switch 22 goes or. and switch 24 goes off. This couples the source of the sync switch to its gate and thus the sync switch goes on.

[0024] Turning now to Figure 3 b, in this embodiment of the Buck circuit of the present invention, the circuit includes the voltage source Vdrl, capacitor Cl, and diode Dl . The cathode of diode Dl is connected to a positive terminal of the first voltage source Vdrl.

[0025] The circuitry of Fig. 3b works similarly to that of Fig. 3 a. When switch 18 is on, the gate of Gl is coupled to the source of the control switch, and it is on. At the same time, capacitor Cl charges up to V_IN via Dl and the on control switch to ground.

[0026] Switch 20 is off at this time.

[0027] Switch 22 is off and switch 24 is on, so the gate of G2 has -Vdrl applied to it with respect to its source, so it is off.

{00919004.1} [0028] When switch 20 goes on (18 goes off), the gate of Gl goes to -Vm (charged across Cl) with respect to its source and it goes off. At the same time, switch 22 is on and switch 24 is off. The gate of G2 is connected to its source and thus it is on.

[0029] Thus, the circuits operate by using the driver circuits to switch voltage sources or stored energy across the gate-source paths of the control and sync switches to turn them on and off.

[0030] The Buck circuit of the embodiment of Figure 3 c is similar to that of Figure 3b. It includes resistor Rl positioned between the capacitor Cl and the anode of diode Dl to limit charging of Cl from V_IN-

[0031] The Buck circuit embodiment of Figure 3d also includes only one voltage source Vdrl, capacitor Cl, diode Dl, and a N-channel switch MB_S- The source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14 is connected to switching node SW. Capacitor Cl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 18 and 20 of the high stage 14. The source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 is connected to the source of sync switch G2. The positive terminal of voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and ihe negative terminal of the first voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16. The anode of diode Dl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 20 of the high stage 14 and its cathode is connected to the drain of switch M_BS- The gate of switch M_BS is controlled by a node LDr and MBS is turned on when switch 22 is on (and the sync switch 62 is on). The source of MBS is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16. Figure 3e modifies the above circuit by replacing diode Dl with a resistor Rl. Switch MB_S functions like a bootstrap circuit, charging up from Vdrl when switch 22 is on and the sync switch is on. In Fig. 3e, capacitor Cl charges through Rl instead of diode Dl.

[0032] The Buck circuit embodiment of Figure 3f includes only one voltage source Vdrl, three capacitors Cl, C2, and C3, and three diodes Dl, D2, and D3. The capacitor

{00919004.1 } Cl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 18 and 20 of the high stage 14. The positive terminal of voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and the negative terminal of the first voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16. The anode of diode Dl is connected to the positive terminal of voltage source Vdrl and its cathode is connected to the source terminals of the switch 18 of the high stage 14. Capacitor C2 is connected between node HDr of the high stage 14 and the gate terminal of control switch Gl and the anode of diode D2 is connected between the gate terminal of control switch Gl and the source terminal of the switch 20 of the high stage 14, which is also connected to switching node SW. The capacitor C3 is connected between node LDr of the low stage 16 and the gate terminal of sync switch G2 and the anode of diode D3 is connected between the gate terminal of sync switch G2 and the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16, which is also connected to the drain of the sync switch.

[0033] Capacitor Cl charges up from Vdrl through Dl when the sync switch G2 is on, like a bootstrap capacitor circuit. The normal ON control switch is on when switch 18 is turned on.

[0034] The synchronous switch G2 is turned off when switch 24 goes on. Capacitor C3 charges to Vdrl through diode D3 when switch 22 is on. When switch 24 goes on, the gate of G2 is made negative with respect to the source and the sync switch turns off.

[0035] To turn the control switch off, switch 20 is turned on and is off. Capacitor C2 is charged up when switch 18 is on by the charge on capacitor Cl . When switch 20 goes on, the charge on capacitor C2 is placed across the gate-source path of Gl, such that the gate of Gl is negative with respect to the source, turning the control switch off.

[0036] The normal ON sync switch G2 is on when switch 22 turns on.

[0037] Figures 4a-4d show configurations for use with converters wherein only the sync switch is a normal ON switch and the control switch Gl is a normal OFF enhancement node device.

{00919004.1 } [0038] The Buck circuit embodiment of Figure 4a includes one voltage source Vdrl , two capacitors Cl and C5, and two diodes Dl and D5. Capacitor Cl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 18 and 20 of the high stage 14. The positive terminal of voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and the negative terminal of the first voltage source Vdrl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16. The anode of diode Dl is connected to the positive terminal of voltage source Vdrl and its cathode is connected to the source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14. Capacitor C5 is connected between node LDr of the low stage 16 and the gate terminal of sync switch G2 and the anode of diode D5 is connected between the gate terminal of sync switch G2 and the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16, which_.is also connected to the drain of the sync switch.

[0039] The circuit of Fig. 4a operates as follows:

[0040] When switch 22 is on, capacitor C5 charges through switch 22 and D5 from Vdrl . The normal ON sync switch G2 is on. Switch 20 is also on and the control switch Gl is off, as it is not a depletion device and its gate is connected to its source by switch 20. Capacitor Cl charges up to Vdrl through diode Dl and the on sync switch G2. To turn the control switch on, switch 18 goes on and the charge on Cl is provided to the gate of Gl, turning the enhancement mode control switch on. At the same time, the sync switch is turned off when switch 24 is turned on. The charge stored on C5 when switch 22 was on from source Vdrl is provided across the gate-source path of the sync switch G2 such that the gate is negative with respect to the source, turning the sync switch off.

[0041] The Buck circuit embodiments of Figures 4b-4d include a second voltage source Vdr2. In Figure 4b, instead of connecting to voltage source Vdrl, the anode of diode Dl is connected to the positive terminal of the second voltage source Vdr2 and Cl charges from Vdr2 when the sync switch G2 is on. The embodiment of Figure 4c modifies that of Figure 4b by replacing diode D5 with a P-channel controlled switch M5.

{00919004.1 } Diode D5 and switch M5 may be integrated into the driver 12. Switch M5 is turned on when switch 22 is on.

[0042] Figure 4d illustrates an embodiment (like Fig. 3a) having the drain terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 connected to the gate terminal of sync switch G2 and voltage source Vdrl connected between the source terminals of the switches 22 and 24 of the low stage 16. Capacitor Cl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 18 and 20 of the high stage 14. Diode Dl connects to the positive terminal of voltage source Vdr2 and to the source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14. The low driver operates similarly to the low driver of Fig. 3a.

[0043] The above-described circuits drive depletion mode devices from OV to -Vcc, which is for example -7V. Slight modification of the above circuits can enable the driver from Vccl to Vcc2, e.g., -3 V to -10V or -4V to 3 V for normally ON devices as the control or sync FET.

[0044] Figures 5a-5b show such modified configurations for use with sync buck converters where the control switch is an enhancement mode silicon FET and the sync switch is a normal ON device and having three voltage sources.

[0045] Figure 5a illustrates a configuration similar to that of Figure 4b but adds a third voltage source. Correspondingly, Figure 5b illustrates a configuration similar to that of Figure 4d but adds the third voltage source between the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and the gate terminal of sync switch G2.

[0046] In the circuit of Fig. 5a, the depletion mode sync switch is turned off by the combined voltage Vdrvl + Vdrv3 charged across C5 via switch 22 when switch 24 is turned on.

[0047] In the circuit of Fig. 5b, the sync switch is on when switch 22 turns on. This places -Vccl across the gate-source path. This transistor is on with -Vccl at its gate. To

{00919004.1 } turn the switch G2 off, an even more negative voltage -(Vccl + Vcc2) is provided across the gate-source path of G2 by switch 24.

[0048] Figure 6 shows another modified configuration for use with sync buck converters with both switches being the normal ON type and employing two bias voltages. In this circuit, the switches Gl and G2 iemain on at a first negative gate-source voltage and turn off at an even more negative gate-source voltage. The Buck circuit embodiment of Figure 6 includes the two voltage sources Vccl and Vcc2, two capacitors C6 and C7, two diodes D6 and D7, and two N-channel switches Mbsl and Mbs2. Voltage source Vccl is connected between the source terminals of the switches 22 and 24 of the low stage 16 and voltage source Vcc2 is connected between the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16 and the source of sync switch G2. Capacitor C6 is connected between the source terminal of the switch 20 of the high stage 14 and switching node SW. Capacitor C7 is connected between the source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14 and the switching node SW. A first terminal of the switch Mbsl is connected to the source terminal of the switch 20 of the high stage 14 via the diode D6 and its second terminal is connected to the source terminal of the switch 24 of the low stage 16. A first terminal of switch Mbs2 is connected to the source terminal of the switch 18 of the high stage 14 via diode D7 and its second terminal is connected to the source terminal of the switch 22 of the low stage 16. Gate terminals of switches Mbsl and Mbs2 are connected to node LDr of the low stage 16 and driven on when switch 22 is driven on.

[0049] In the circuit of Fig. 6, capacitors C6 and C7 are charged when switch 22 is turned on and the sync switch is thus on. Capacitor C6 charges to Vccl + Vcc2 through D6, MBSl and the sync switch. Capacitor C7 charges to Vcc2 through D7, MBS2 and the sync switch. When switch 22 is on, the gate cf G2 is at -Vcc2 so G2 is on. This allows the capacitors C6 and C7 to charge as discussed.

{00919004.1} [0050] When switch 22 is on, switch 20 is also on. This connects the gate of Gl to the voltage of C6 (-(Vccl + Vcc2)) such that the gate of Gl is more negative with respect to the source. Gl is thus off.

[0051] When switches 24 and 18 go on, the gate of G2 is driven to -(Vccl + Vcc2) by switch 24, so G2 turns off. At the same time, when switch 18 goes on, -Vcc2 is provided across the gate-source path of Gl by C7 so it is driven on.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention not be limited by the specific disclosure herein.

{00919004.1 }

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A circuit for driving a switching stage including control and sync switches series connected at a switching node, at least one of the control and sync switches being a normal ON depletion mode device, the circuit comprising: a gate driver including first and second switching stages for generating gate drive signals for the sync and control switches, respectively, the first switching stage having a first driver output node and the second switching stage having a second driver output node, a signal from the first node driving the sync switch and a signal from the second node driving the control switch; and a circuit connected to the first and second switching stages, the circuit comprising a first circuit providing a first voltage source, the first circuit being coupled to the first switching stage and to the sync switch, a first bias voltage from said first voltage source being switched by said first switching stage, said first switching stage having a first state wherein said sync switch is on, and a second state wherein said first bias voltage is switched to the gate of said sync switch to turn said sync switch off; and a second circuit including a first energy storage device for charging with a second bias voltage, the second switching circuit having a first state, wherein said control switch is on when said sync switch is off and having a second state wherein said control switch is switched off when said sync switch is on by switching said second bias voltage to the gate of said control switch.

2. The circuit of claim 1 , wherein; the sync switch is a depletion mode device; and the first switching stage comprises first and second series connected alternately switched on switches having a common connection at the first node, the first node being

{00919004.1 } connected to the gate of the sync switch, the first switch controlling on said sync switch in response to a first control signal and said second switch providing said first bias voltage to said gate of said sync switch in response to a second control signal such that the gate of said sync switch is negative with respect to the source of said sync switch, thereby turning it off.

3. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the control switch is a depletion mode device; and the first energy storage device comprises a first capacitor charged up from a voltage source; said second switching stage comprising third and fourth series connected alternately switched on switches having a common connection at the second node, the second node being connected to the gate of the control switch, the third switch controlling on the control switch in response to a third control signal and the fourth switch providing said charged voltage across said first capacitor to the gate of said control switch in response to a fourth control signal such that the gate of the control switch is negative with respect to the source, thereby turning it off.

4. The circuit of claim 3, wherein the first capacitor is charged up when the control switch is on.

5. The circuit of claim 4, wherein the voltage source comprises a second voltage source and the first capacitor is coupled to the second voltage source by a diode.

{00919004.1 }

6. The circuit of claim 4, wherein said voltage source comprises a bus voltage source supplying a load connected to said switching stage and being coupled across said control and sync switches.

7. The circuit of claim 6, further comprising a diode coupling said first capacitor to a negative side of said bus voltage.

8. The circuit of claim 7, further comprising a resistor in series with said diode for limiting charging current to said first capacitor.

9. The circuit of claim 3, further comprising a further controlled switch coupling said first capacitor to said first voltage source, whereby when said sync switch is on and said further controlled switch is on, said first capacitor is charged from said first voltage source through said sync switch and said further controlled switch.

10. The circuit of claim 9, wherein said further controlled switch is turned on when said first switch is turned on.

11. The circuit of claim 9, further comprising a diode coupling said first capacitor to said further controlled switch.

12. The circuit of claim 9, further comprising a diode coupling said first capacitor to said further controlled switch.

13. The circuit of claim 3, further wherein:

{00919004 1 } the first capacitor is charged by said first voltage source when said sync switch is on.

14. The circuit of claim 13, further comprising: a second capacitor coupled in series between the second node and the gate of the control switch; and a third capacitor coupled between the first node and the gate of the sync switch; a diode coupled between the gate and source of the control switch to allow said second capacitor to charge from said first capacitor when said third switch is on; a diode coupled between the gate and source of the sync switch to allow said third capacitor to charge from said first voltage source when said first switch is on; said second capacitor being coupled across the gate-source path of said control switch to place a negative voltage on the gate of t^e control switch with respect to the source of the control switch when the fourth switch is on, thereby turning it off; said third capacitor being coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch to place a negative voltage on the gate of the sync switch with respect to the source of the sync switch when the second switch is on, thereby turning it off.

15. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the first node is coupled to the gate of the sync switch by a further capacitor and wherein a diode is coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch to allow the further capacitor to be charged from the first voltage source; and wherein the second switching stage comprises third and fourth series connected alternately turned on switches having a common connection at the second node, the second node being connected to the gate of the control switch, the third switch

{00919004.1 } turning on the control switch in response to a third control signal by providing said charged voltage on said first capacitor to the gate of the control switch to turn it on; the fourth switch turning off said control switch in response to a fourth control signal; wherein the control switch is an enhancement mode device; and the charged voltage on said further capacitor being coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch by said second switch when said second switch is turned on thereby placing a negative voltage on the gate of tne sync switch with respect to its source, turning it off, the sync switch being on when the first switch is turned on.

16. The circuit of claim 15, wherein the first capacitor charges from said first voltage source when the sync switch is on.

17. The circuit of claim 16, further comprising a diode coupling the first capacitor to the first voltage source.

18. The circuit of claim 17, further comprising: a diode coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch allowing the further capacitor to charge from said first voltage source through the first switch.

19. The circuit of claim 15, wherein the first capacitor charges from a second voltage source through a diode.

20. The circuit of claim 19, further comprising:

{00919004.1} a diode coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch allowing the further capacitor to charge from said first voltage source through the first switch.

21. The circuit of claim 19, further comprising a controlled switch coupled across the gate-source path of the sync switch, allowing the further capacitor to charge from said first voltage source through the first switch, said controlled switch being turned on when said first switch is on.

22. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the second switching stage comprises third and fourth series connected alternately turned on switches having a common connection at the second node, the second node being connected to the gate of the control switch, the third switch turning on the control switch in response to a third control signal by providing said charged voltage on said first capacitor to the gate of the control switch to turn it on; the fourth switch turning off said control switch in response to a fourth control signal; wherein the control switch is an enhancement mode device.

23. The circuit of claim 19, further comprising a third voltage source in series with a diode coupled across the gate-source path of said sync switch whereby said further capacitor is charged to the combined voltage of s?.^;d first and third voltage sources.

24. The circuit of claim 22, further comprising a third voltage source coupled between said first voltage source and the source of said sync switch, the sync switch being on when said third voltage source is coupled across the gate-source path of said sync switch when said first switch is turned on, and

{00919004.1 } the combined voltage of said first and third voltage sources being provided across the gate-source path of said sync switch such that the gate of the sync switch is more negative with respect to its source when the second switch is turned on, thereby turning off the sync switch.

25. The circuit of claim 3, further comprising a second voltage source and first and second controlled switches, wherein said first capacitor is coupled through the first controlled switch to be charged by said first and second voltage sources when said first controlled switch is on and said sync switch is on; and further comprising a second capacitor coupled to said first capacitor such that a common connection of said first and second capacitors is coupled to the source of said control switch; and wherein said second capacitor is coupled through the second controlled switch to be charged by said second voltage source when sεid second controlled switch is on and said sync switch is on, said first and second controlled switches being turned on when said first switch is turned on.

{00919004.1 }