Power converters

A power converter comprising:

• an input configured to receive an input voltage;
• an output configured to output an output voltage that is different than the input voltage;
• a first inductor;
• a second inductor;
• a first power switch;
• a second power switch;
• a third power switch;
• a fourth power switch;
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth power switches are configured to control current through the first inductor and the second inductor;
• a driver configured to operate the first, second, third, and fourth power switches to change the input voltage to provide the output voltage;
• a current sensing circuit for measuring a current through the fourth power switch;
• current sensing processing circuitry configured to determine a power converter current based at least in part on the measured current through the fourth power switch;
• and
• a communication interface for outputting information regarding the determined power converter current.

A power converter comprising:

• an input configured to receive an input voltage;
• an output configured to output an output voltage that is different than the input voltage;
• a first inductor;
• a second inductor;
• a first power switch;
• a second power switch;
• a third power switch;
• a fourth power switch;
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth power switches are configured to control current through the first inductor and the second inductor;
• a driver configured to operate the first, second, third, and fourth power switches to change the input voltage to provide the output voltage;
• a capacitor that is coupled between the first power switch and the first inductor;
• current sensing processing circuitry that is coupled to the capacitor and configured to monitor a voltage across the capacitor, and to determine a power converter current based at least in part on the monitored voltage across the capacitor;
• and
• a communication interface for outputting information regarding the determined power converter current.

A power converter comprising:

• an input configured to receive an input voltage;
• an output configured to output an output voltage that is different than the input voltage;
• a first inductor;
• a second inductor;
• a first power switch;
• a second power switch;
• a third power switch;
• a fourth power switch;
• wherein the first, second, third, and fourth power switches are configured to control current through the first inductor and the second inductor;
• a driver configured to operate the first, second, third, and fourth power switches to change the input voltage to provide the output voltage;
• a capacitor that is coupled between the first power switch and the fourth power switch;
• a pre-charge circuit that is configured to charge the capacitor before the driver operates the first, second, third, and fourth power switches to change the input voltage to provide the output voltage.

A DC-DC buck converter comprising:

• an input configured to receive an input voltage;
• an output configured to output an output voltage that is lower than the input voltage;
• a first inductor;
• a second inductor;
• a first power switch;
• a second power switch;
• a third power switch;
• a fourth power switch;
• a driver configured to send drive signals to the power switches to operate the buck converter in:
• a first state of operation to drive current through the first inductor, wherein:
• the first power switch is on;
• the second power switch is off;
• the third power switch is on;
• and
• the fourth power switch is off;
• a second state of operation wherein:
• the first power switch is off;
• the second power switch is off;
• the third power switch is on;
• and
• the fourth power switch is on;
• a third state of operation to drive current through the second inductor, wherein:
• the first power switch is off;
• the second power switch is on;
• the third power switch is off;
• and
• the fourth power switch is on;
• and
• a fourth state of operation wherein:
• the first power switch is off;
• the second power switch is off;
• the third power switch is on;
• and
• the fourth power switch is on;
• and
• a first bootstrap capacitor configured to provide an elevated voltage for keeping the first power switch on during the first state of operation.