Buck-Boost-Choppers

A buck-boost chopper combines the circuitry needed to both increase (step up) and decrease voltage in a single compact package. Littelfuse subsidiary IXYS produces these types of IGBT modules with MOSFET gate-control structures and the high current and the low saturation voltage characteristics of BJTs. Inclusion of fast switching diodes and extreme-light punch through (XPT) configurations make buck-boost choppers good choices to control current for switched mode power supplies and switched reluctance motor drives.