# US 2021/0242776 A1 · Modular high step-down dc/dc converter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0242776 A1 - Document ID: US20210242776A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/049,286 - Filed: 2019-05-08 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-09 - Assignees: The University of Texas at Austin - Applicants: The University of Texas at Austin - Inventors: Alex HUANG; Qingyun HUANG - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242776A1 ## CPC - H02M 3/158: including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load - H02M 1/0048: {Circuits or arrangements for reducing losses (using snubbers H02M1/34)} - H02M 1/08: Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters - H02M 3/07: using capacitors charged and discharged alternately by semiconductor devices with control electrode {, e.g. charge pumps} - Y02B 70/10: Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus comprising: at least two switching components configured to perform a switching function; at least two conductivity arbitrating devices in electrical communication with the at least two switching components; and driver circuitry configured to deliver a plurality of driver signals to the at least two switching components, wherein the plurality of driver signals include interleaved modulation and a duty cycle configured to step-down a direct current (DC) voltage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a modulator configured to interleave a plurality of duty cycle signals delivered to the driver circuitry. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the duty cycle changes as a function of a number of the at least two switching components and a number of the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a modulator configured to generate a plurality of duty cycle signals having a duty cycle equal to 1/(nc+1), wherein nc is (n−1)/3, and n is a number of the at least two switching components plus a number of the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices include at least one of a diode and an additional switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least two switching components include a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an inductor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the inductor resonates with a capacitance. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a modular cell comprising an additional switching component and two additional conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a modulator configured to generate a plurality of duty cycle signals having a duty cycle equal to 1/(nc+1), wherein nc is a number of modular cells. ### Claim 11 A method of manufacturing a circuit, the method comprising: providing at least two switching components configured to perform a switching function; and providing at least two conductivity arbitrating devices in electrical communication with the at least two switching components; and providing driver circuitry configured to deliver a plurality of driver signals to the at least two switching components, wherein the plurality of driver signals include interleaved modulation and a duty cycle configured to step-down a direct current (DC) voltage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a modulator configured to interleave a plurality of duty cycle signals delivered to the driver circuitry. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising changing the duty cycle as a function of a number of the at least two switching components and a number of the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a modulator configured to generate a plurality of duty cycle signals having a duty cycle equal to 1/(nc+1), wherein nc is (n−1)/3, and n is a number of the at least two switching components plus a number of the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the at least two conductivity arbitrating devices include at least one of a diode and an additional switch. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the at least two switching components include a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing an inductor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the inductor resonates with a capacitance. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a modular cell comprising an additional switching component and two additional conductivity arbitrating devices. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising providing a modulator configured to generate a plurality of duty cycle signals having a duty cycle equal to 1/(nc+1), wherein nc is a number of modular cells.