The circuit in Fig 1 supplies both 3.3 and 5V to transitional circuits that employ both the new 3.3V and older 5V devices. Additionally, because the regulator accepts either 3.3 or 5V inputs, you could plug it into either a new 3.3V system or an old 5V system.The circuit consists of two sections: a dc/dc converter and a double-pole, double-throw (dpdt) switch. The dpdt switch comprises a pair of dual n-channel MOSFETs (Q2 and Q3) and their associated high-side drivers. Upon power-up, the comparator in IC2 determines the state of the circuit. The comparator’s output, IC2 pin 6, goes to the input of the MOSFET driver, IC1. The driver internally generates a gatedrive voltage 8.8V above the device’s supply voltage. This high voltage drives the appropriate MOSFETs in Q2 and Q3. IC2 is also the heart of a flying-capacitor, buck/boost dc/dc converter. Unlike other switching- regulator schemes, this topology needs no transformers. Transistor Q1 controls this section’s output voltage, VS. When...