Switching regulators use output stages that repeatedly switch the "on" and "off" states to produce an output voltage in conjunction with energy storage components (capacitors and sensors). Its adjustment is achieved by adjusting the switching timing according to the feedback sample of the output voltage.

In a fixed frequency regulator, the output voltage is controlled by adjusting the time duty ratio of the high and low levels in a cycle. Assuming that the high voltage is set to be switched on, the energy storage element is charged at this time, so that the voltage of the capacitor increases, and the output voltage is the voltage of the capacitor increases. This is called PWM control. In a gated oscillator or pulse-mode regulator, the width and frequency of the switching pulse remain constant; however, the "on" or "off" of the output switch is controlled by feedback.

Depending on the arrangement of switches and energy storage components, the resulting output voltage can be greater or less than the input voltage, and multiple output voltages can be generated with a single regulator. In most cases, under the same input voltage and output voltage requirements, pulsed (step-down) switching regulators are more efficient than linear regulators to convert power, but the carrying capacity is lower than linear regulators.

According to the comparison between the output voltage and the input voltage, it can be divided into boost (output voltage is higher than the input voltage) and buck (output voltage is lower than the input voltage). They have different topologies.

Boost is generally used for led series backlight drivers and led drivers, and the output voltage is generally used in more than ten volts.

Buck is used in the nuclear pressure of multimedia coprocessors.