Converter circuit

1. A converter circuit, comprising:

a first node for receiving an input voltage;

a second node for providing an output voltage;

a first inductor interposed between the first node and a third node;

a capacitor interposed between the third node and a first terminal of a diode, the other terminal of the diode providing said output voltage;

a second inductor interposed between the first terminal of the diode and common;

an electronic switch acting between the third node and common, the electronic switch switchable between a conductive “on” condition and a non-conductive “off” condition;

a first current generator acting between the first node and the switch to drive the switch to the conductive “on” condition wherein the current through the switch increases, the first inductor charges and the capacitor discharges into the second inductor; and

a second current generator sensitive to at least one of the current through the switch in the “on” condition and the output voltage on the second node, the second current generator to draw current from the first current generator to drive the switch to the non-conductive “off” condition, wherein the voltage at the third node drops to trigger the first current generator to drive the switch to the conductive “on” condition, thereby producing self-oscillation of the converter circuit.

2. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein the second current generator is sensitive both to the current through the switch in the “on” condition and the output voltage on the second node.

3. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of the first current generator and the second current generator is sensitive to a respective reference voltage to control self-oscillation of the converter circuit.

4. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of the first node and the second node has coupled therewith a respective stabilizer capacitor.

5. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein the first current generator is sensitive to the voltage at the third node.

6. The converter circuit of claim 5 ,

wherein the first current generator is sensitive to the voltage at the third node via a proportional-derivative network.

7. The converter circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

a delay block acting on the first current generator to produce discontinuous current mode operation of the converter circuit.

8. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein the second current generator is sensitive to the voltage on said first node.

9. The converter circuit of claim 8 ,

wherein the second current generator is sensitive to the voltage on said first node via a proportional-derivative network.

10. The converter circuit of claim 1 ,

wherein the second current generator is sensitive to the voltage on said third node.

11. The converter circuit of claim 10 ,

wherein the second current generator is sensitive to the voltage on said third node via a derivative network.

12. The converter circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

an output voltage regulator coupled to the second node, the output voltage regulator including a Zener diode.

13. The converter circuit of claim 1 , further comprising:

an output voltage regulator coupled to the second node, the output voltage regulator including an error amplifier.