Power Converter

A power converter for providing an output voltage with an output-to-input conversion ratio, the power converter having a ground port, a first port, and a second port, wherein when the power converter operates as a step-down converter the first port receives an input voltage and the second port provides the output voltage and when the power converter operates as a step-up converter the second port receives an input voltage and the first port provides the output voltage;

• the power converter comprising
• a first flying capacitor and a second flying capacitor coupled to a network of switches,
• a first inductor between the first flying capacitor and the second port;
• a second inductor between the second flying capacitor and the second port;
• and a driver;
• the network of switches comprising
• a first switch to couple the first flying capacitor to the first port;
• a first ground switch to couple the first flying capacitor to ground;
• a second switch to couple the second flying capacitor to the first port;
• a second ground switch to couple the second flying capacitor to ground;
• the driver being adapted to drive the network of switches with a sequence of states during a drive period, the sequence of states comprising a first state, wherein in the first state the first port is coupled to the second port via a first path and a second path, wherein the first path comprises the first switch, the first flying capacitor and the first inductor, and wherein the second path comprises the second switch, the second flying capacitor and the second inductor;
• wherein the ground port is decoupled from the second port.