High efficiency multi-level buck-boost converter
AssigneeDialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
InventorHolger Petersen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power converter for converting an input voltage at an input port into an output voltage at an output port of the power converter is described. The power converter comprises an inductor having a first inductor port and a second inductor port, wherein the second inductor port is coupled to the output port. Furthermore, the power converter comprises a flying capacitor having a first capacitor port and a second capacitor port, and a switching cell. In addition, the power converter comprises a control unit to operate the switching cell in a first sequence of operation phases to perform step-up conversion; and in a second sequence of operation phases to perform step-down conversion.
Claims10
A power converter for converting an input voltage at an input port into an output voltage at an output port of the power converter, the power converter comprising,
- an inductor having a first inductor port and a second inductor port;
- wherein the second inductor port is coupled to the output port;
- a flying capacitor having a first capacitor port and a second capacitor port;
- a switching cell;
- wherein the switching cell comprises
- a first switch configured to connect the first capacitor port to the input port;
- a second switch configured to connect the first capacitor port to the first inductor port;
- a third switch configured to connect the second capacitor port to the first inductor port;
- a fourth switch configured to connect the second capacitor port to ground;
- and
- an auxiliary switch configured to connect the second capacitor port to the input port;
- and
- a control unit configured to operate the switching cell in
- a first sequence of operation phases to perform a step-up conversion;
- and
- a second sequence of operation phases to perform a step-down conversion, wherein the auxiliary switch is maintained open during all the operation phases of the second sequence of operation phases;
- and wherein the second sequence of operation phases comprises,
- a first operation phase during which the first switch and the third switch are closed and during which the second switch and the fourth switch are open;
- and
- a second operation phase during which the first switch and the third switch are open and during which the second switch and the fourth switch are closed.
A method for converting an input voltage at an input port into an output voltage at an output port of a power converter, wherein
- the power converter comprises,
- an inductor having a first inductor port and a second inductor port;
- wherein the second inductor port is coupled to the output port;
- a flying capacitor having a first capacitor port and a second capacitor port;
- and
- a switching cell;
- the switching cell comprises
- a first switch to connect the first capacitor port to the input port;
- a second switch to connect the first capacitor port to the first inductor port;
- a third switch to connect the second capacitor port to the first inductor port;
- a fourth switch to connect the second capacitor port to ground;
- and
- an auxiliary switch to connect the second capacitor port to the input port;
- and
- the method comprises
- operating the switching cell in a first sequence of operation phases to perform a step-up conversion;
- and
- operating the switching cell in a second sequence of operation phases to perform a step-down conversion, wherein the auxiliary switch is maintained open during all the operation phases of the second sequence of operation phases;
- and wherein operating the switching cell in the second sequence of operation phases comprises,
- providing a first operation phase during which the first switch and the third switch are closed and during which the second switch and the fourth switch are open;
- and
- providing a second operation phase during which the first switch and the third switch are open and during which the second switch and the fourth switch are closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.