Asymmetrical Coupled Inductors And Associated Methods

A multi-phase DC-to-DC converter, comprising:

• a coupled inductor, including:
• a first winding having a first end and a second end;
• a second winding having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to a first node;
• and
• a core formed of a magnetic material and magnetically coupling together the windings;
• an additional inductor including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal electrically coupled to the first end of the first winding, the second terminal electrically coupled to the first node;
• a first switching circuit electrically coupled to the second end of the first winding and configured to switch the second end between at least two different voltages;
• a second switching circuit electrically coupled to the second end of the second winding and configured to switch the second end between at least two different voltages;
• and
• at least one controller for controlling operation of the first and second switching circuits, the controller configured to shut down the second switching circuit while the first switching circuit remains operational during a light load operating condition.

A multi-phase DC-to-DC converter, comprising:

• a coupled inductor, including:
• a first winding having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to a first node;
• a second winding having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to the first node;
• and
• a core formed of a magnetic material and magnetically coupling together the windings;
• an additional inductor including a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal electrically coupled to the second end of the first winding;
• a first switching circuit electrically coupled to the second terminal of the additional inductor and configured to switch the second terminal between at least two different voltages;
• a second switching circuit electrically coupled to the second end of the second winding and configured to switch the second end between at least two different voltages;
• and
• at least one controller for controlling operation of the first and second switching circuits, the controller configured to shut down the second switching circuit while the first switching circuit remains operational during a light load operating condition.

A multi-phase DC-to-DC converter, comprising:

• a first inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal electrically coupled to a first node;
• a second inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal electrically coupled to the first node;
• a first switching circuit electrically coupled to the second terminal of the first inductor and configured to switch the second terminal between at least two different voltages;
• a second switching circuit electrically coupled to the second terminal of the second inductor and configured to switch the second terminal between at least two different voltages;
• and
• at least one controller for controlling operation of the first and second switching circuits, the controller configured to shut down the second switching circuit while the first switching circuit remains operational during a light load operating condition;
• the first inductor having an inductance value that is larger than an inductance value of the second inductor;
• the first and second switching circuits each configured to switch at a frequency of at least 20 kilohertz.