What is Buck/Boost regulator?

[Lucifre]

Can someone explain to me what is meant by Buck regulator? and what does the phrase "integrated circuits designed for use in "buck" or "buck/boost " regulator aplications" mean?

 

[Verba]

Buck regulator - DC/DC converter which is used to decrease DC input voltage (Vout<Vin)
Boost regulator - DC/DC converter which is used to Increase DC input voltage (Vout>Vin)
Buck/Boost - regulator that maintains constant output voltage with any input voltage, low or high.
integrated circuits designed for use in "buck" or "buck/boost " regulator aplications - you can build buck or buck/boost convertor with it.

 

[Miguel Gaspar]

Hey Lucifre, about your question "integrated circuits designed for use in "buck" or "buck/boost ", usually you can't make a buck or boost from discrete semiconductors, you need a IC designed to perform like a buck or boost. Examples are 78S40, wich can be used like a buck, boost or inverter.

 

[adsl]

Buck regulator - DC/DC converter which is used to decrease DC input voltage (Vout<Vin)

Then, why not just use LDO? Is there any difference between LDO and Buck?

 

[Gundam001]

Hi,

See attached file for your own understanding.. It can explain almost all your question about regulators...

 

[Lucifre]

Thanx Gundam.... I like papers like this

 

[jonneylu]

which can increase or decrease input voltage.

 

[ballballball]

which can increase or decrease input voltage.

Buck can decrease input voltage
Boost can increase input voltage
Buck-Boost do the both

 

[steve_guo]

buck,boost,buck-boost are the three basic topologies of DC-DC converter.