Modular high step-down dc/dc converter

Abstract

Method and apparatus include a circuit having a duty cycle and interleaving modulation configured to realize high density and efficient energy transfer. The circuit may efficiently achieve higher step-down voltage ratios with fewer electrical components. For example, as few as seven electrical devices, such as switches and diodes, may be used to realize at least a four-to-one conversion ratio. The high density of the circuit is advantageous to meet shrinking space demands. A modulator may interleave signals sent to the electrical components (e.g., switching devices via driver circuitry). The driver signals may include a duty cycle of 1/(nc+1), where nc is (n−1)/3, and n is the number of devices.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.