Fast charge sharing between capacitors of a dual input path DC/DC converter

A method for providing an output voltage from one of a first input voltage and a second input voltage, comprising:

• obtaining the first input voltage from a first terminal;
• obtaining the second input voltage from a second terminal;
• using a first switching device coupled to the first terminal in conjunction with a plurality of common power converter components operatively coupled between the first switching device and the output terminal and including an inductor and a low-side switching device to step-down the first input voltage to an output voltage of an output terminal;
• using a second switching device coupled to the second terminal in conjunction with the plurality of common power converter components operatively coupled between the second switching device and the output terminal to step-down the second input voltage to the output voltage of the output terminal;
• and
• using one or more charge equalizing components to equalize voltages between the first and second terminals when switching from the first input voltage to the second input voltage.

A power circuit adapted to provide an output voltage from one of a first input voltage and a second input voltage, comprising:

• a first terminal configured to receive the first input voltage, the first terminal coupled to a first capacitor;
• a second terminal configured to receive the second input voltage, the second terminal coupled to a second capacitor;
• an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage;
• a first switching device coupled to the first capacitor and configured to act in conjunction with a plurality of common power converter components operatively coupled between the first switching device and the output terminal and including an inductor and a low side switching device to step-down the first input voltage to the output voltage;
• a second switching device coupled to the second capacitor and configured to act in conjunction with the plurality of common power converter components to step-down the second input voltage to the output voltage;
• and
• one or more charge equalizing components coupled between the first and second capacitors and configured to reduce a differential voltage between the first and second capacitors.