Multilevel boost DC to DC converter circuit

A DC to DC converter circuit, comprising:

• an input node to receive an input signal;
• a switching circuit, including:
• a first switch coupled between a first internal node and a second internal node,
• a second switch coupled between the second internal node and the input node,
• a third switch coupled between the input node and a third internal node, and
• a fourth switch coupled between the third internal node and a fourth internal node;
• a first capacitor coupled between the second and third internal nodes;
• a second capacitor coupled between the first and fourth internal nodes;
• a first inductor coupled between the first internal node and a first output node;
• a second inductor coupled between the fourth internal node and a second output node;
• and
• a control circuit to generate switching control signals to operate the switching circuit to control an output voltage signal across the first and second output nodes to be greater than a voltage of the input signal at least partially according to a reference signal and a feedback signal;
• wherein the control circuit generates the switching control signals to implement current control at least partially according to an inductor current signal;
• wherein the control circuit generates the switching control signals to implement valley control in each of a plurality of clock cycles.

A three-level Zeta boost converter system, comprising:

• a switching circuit, including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series, the second and third switches connected to one another at an input node to receive an input signal;
• a first capacitor coupled in parallel across the second and third switches to provide a flying capacitor in the boost converter system;
• a second capacitor coupled in parallel across the switching circuit, the second capacitor including first and second terminals;
• the first switch being connected between the first terminal of the second capacitor and the second switch;
• the fourth switch being connected between the second terminal of the second capacitor and the third switch;
• a first inductor coupled between the first terminal of the second capacitor and a first output node;
• a second inductor coupled between the second terminal of the second capacitor and a second output node;
• a third capacitor coupled across the first and second output nodes;
• and
• a control circuit to operate the switching circuit to control an output voltage signal across the first and second output nodes to be greater than a voltage of the input signal;
• wherein the control circuit is operative to provide switching control signals to the first switch and the fourth switch at least partially according to a first clock signal, and to provide switching control signals to the second switch and the third switch at least partially according to a second clock signal;
• wherein the first and second clock signals oscillate at equal frequencies;
• and wherein the second clock signal is phase shifted by approximately 180 degrees from the first clock signal.

A DC to DC converter circuit, comprising:

• an input node to receive an input signal;
• first, second, third and fourth switches connected in series to form a switching circuit, the second and third switches connected to one another at the input node to receive the input signal;
• a first capacitor coupled in parallel across the second and third switches to provide a flying capacitor in the boost converter system;
• a second capacitor with a first terminal connected to the first switch, and a second terminal connected to the fourth switch;
• the first switch being connected between the second switch and the first terminal of the second capacitor;
• the fourth switch being connected between the third switch and the second terminal of the second capacitor;
• an integrated inductor, including:
• a core structure,
• a first winding wound at least partially around the core structure to form a first inductor coupled between the first terminal of the second capacitor and a first output node, and
• a second winding wound at least partially around the core structure to form a second inductor coupled between the second terminal of the second capacitor and a second output node;
• and
• a control circuit to generate switching control signals to operate the switching circuit to control an output voltage signal across the first and second output nodes to be greater than a voltage of the input signal at least partially according to a reference signal and a feedback signal;
• wherein the control circuit is operative to provide switching control signals to the first switch and the fourth switch at least partially according to a first clock signal, wherein the control circuit is operative to provide switching control signals to the second switch and the third switch at least partially according to a second clock signal;
• the control circuit including a phase shift circuit to generate the second clock signal phase shifted by approximately 180 degrees relative to the first clock signal.