Asymmetric two-stage DC-DC switching converter

An asymmetric two-stage DC-DC switching power converter, for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising:

• more than one phase;
• one or more multi-stage phases in parallel with one or more single-stage phases, wherein each of said one or more single-stage and one or more multi-stage phases comprise buck switching converters;
• wherein said one or more multi-stage phases are configured to use an intermediate voltage;
• wherein second-stage phases in said one or more multi-stage phases are controlled with a separate controller block, from said one or more single-stage phases;
• and
• wherein said second-stage phases are configured to perform an auto-calibration during a startup period of said switching power converter.

A method for operating an asymmetric two-stage DC-DC switching converter, for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprising the steps of:

• operating said DC-DC switching converter with more than one phase;
• providing one or more multi-stage phases in parallel with one or more single-stage phases, wherein each of said single-stage and multi-stage phases comprise buck switching converters,
• wherein said one or more single-stage phases operate with low-switching frequency and low load, and said one or more multi-stage phases operate with high-switching frequency and high load;
• providing a common control signal system with a single control signal controlling said single-stage and multi-stage phases;
• and
• providing an intermediate voltage, to one or more multi-stage phases.

A method for an asymmetric two-stage DC-DC switching power converter, for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, comprises:

• providing more than one phase;
• providing one or more multi-stage phases in parallel with one or more single-stage phases, wherein each of said one or more single-stage and one or more multi-stage phases comprise buck switching converters;
• wherein said one or more multi-stage phases use an intermediate voltage;
• and
• wherein a separate controller block from said one or more single-stage phases controls second-stage phases, in said one or more multi-stage phases;
• and
• wherein said second-stage phases perform an auto-calibration during a startup period, removing any offsets in the system.