A switching regulator is a circuit that uses an inductor, a transformer, or a capacitor as an energy-storage element to transfer energy from input to output in discrete packets. Feedback circuitry regulates the energy transfer to maintain a constant voltage within the load limits of the circuit. The basic circuit can be configured to step up (boost), step down (buck), or invert output voltage with respect to input voltage. For battery management, the only other choice is a linear regulator. Linear regulators only step down, and efficiency is equivalent to the output voltage divided by the input voltage. On the other hand, switching regulators operate by passing energy in discrete packets over a low-resistance switch, so they can step up, step down, and invert. In addition, they offer higher efficiency than linear regulators.
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