Chopper method

A method that controls the input voltage through the on/off operation of a semiconductor switch to produce an output. While controlling the direction of the current with a diode, energy is stored in an inductor during the switch-on period and released to the output during the off period. The name comes from the control method, which "chops" voltage and current using semiconductor switches. There are three types: boost converters, buck converters, and buck-boost converters. An example of using a buck converter is to obtain a lower DC5V voltage from a DC12V battery. Examples of using a boost converter include boost converters in hybrid and electric vehicles. Buck-boost converters can produce an output voltage with opposite polarity to the input voltage, and are used, for instance, to generate negative voltage for memory ICs.