Multi-phase hybrid converter

A method of operating a multi-phase hybrid converter, the method comprising:

• generating complementary first control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of a first switching converter circuit, wherein a first timing phase includes the complementary first control signals;
• generating complementary second control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of a second switching converter circuit, wherein a second timing phase includes the complementary second control signals;
• generating third control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of a first switched-capacitor circuit and a second switched-capacitor circuit, including:
• generating, using a first logic circuit, a first one of the third control signals using a first one of the complementary first control signals and a second one of the complementary second control signals;
• and
• generating, using a second logic circuit, a second one of the third control signals using a second one of the complementary first control signals and a first one of the complementary second control signals;
• applying, according to a switching cycle having a switching frequency and a duty cycle, the complementary first control signals, the complementary second control signals, and the third control signals, the switching cycle including the first timing phase and the second timing phase;
• generating a series of pulses by the first switching converter circuit, the second switching converter circuit, the first switched-capacitor circuit, and the second switched-capacitor circuit, to at least one LC circuit including at least one of an output capacitor and an input capacitor and at least one inductor;
• adjusting the duty cycle of switching signals to adjust the series of pulses to set an output voltage across the output capacitor;
• and
• providing the output voltage across the output capacitor as an output voltage of the multi-phase hybrid converter.

A multi-phase hybrid converter comprising:

• a first switched-capacitor circuit including a first switching element, a second switching element, and a first capacitor;
• a first switching converter circuit including a third switching element, a fourth switching element, and a first inductor, wherein the second switching element is coupled with the third switching element;
• a second switched-capacitor circuit including a fifth switching element, a sixth switching element, and a second capacitor;
• a second switching converter circuit including a seventh switching element, an eighth switching element, and a second inductor, wherein the sixth switching element is coupled with the seventh switching element;
• and
• a control circuit to control operation of the first switching converter circuit using a first timing phase and control operation of the second switching converter circuit using a second timing phase, the control circuit to:
• generate complementary first control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of the first switching converter circuit;
• generate complementary second control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of the second switching converter circuit;
• and
• generate, using one of the complementary first control signals and one of the complementary second control signals, third control signals to turn ON and OFF switching elements of a first switched-capacitor circuit and a second switched-capacitor circuit,
• wherein the control circuit includes:
• a first logic circuit to generate a first one of the third control signals using a first one of the complementary first control signals and a second one of the complementary second control signals;
• and
• a second logic circuit to generate a second one of the third control signals using a second one of the complementary first control signals and a first one of the complementary second control signals.