Hybrid buck-boost power converter

1. A power converter configured to receive an input voltage at an input node of the power converter and to generate an output voltage at an output node of the power converter, the power converter comprising:

an inductor coupled between an inductor node and the output node,

a flying capacitor coupled between a first capacitor node and a second capacitor node,

a first switching element coupled between the input node and the first capacitor node,

a second switching element coupled between the second capacitor node and the inductor node,

a third switching element coupled between the input node and the second capacitor node,

a fourth switching element coupled between the first capacitor node and a reference potential, and

a fifth switching element coupled between the inductor node and the first capacitor node, such that the fourth switching element and the fifth switching element form a series connection between the inductor node and the reference potential.

2. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a first phase of a buck operation mode, open the second switching element such that the second capacitor node is isolated from the inductor node.

3. The power converter according to claim 2 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a second phase of the buck operation mode, establish a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

4. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a first phase of a boost operation mode, establish a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor and via the inductor to the output node.

5. The power converter according to claim 4 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a second phase of the boost operation mode, establish a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

6. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a first phase of a buck-boost operation mode, establish a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor and via the inductor to the output node.

7. The power converter according to claim 6 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a second phase of the buck-boost operation mode, establish a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

8. The power converter according to claim 6 , wherein the power converter is configured to, during a third phase of the buck-boost operation mode, establish a current path from a reference potential via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to the reference potential.

9. The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein the power converter is configured to use the second switching element for sensing a current through the inductor.

10. A method for operating a power converter, the power converter comprising an inductor coupled between an inductor node and an output node of the power converter, and a flying capacitor coupled between a first capacitor node and a second capacitor node, the method comprising:

establishing, during a first phase of a buck operation mode or a buck-boost operation mode, a current path from a reference potential, via the inductor node, via the inductor to the output of the power converter,

isolating, during said first phase of the buck operation mode or the buck-boost operation mode, the inductor node from the second capacitor node,

coupling a third switching element between the input node and the second capacitor node,

coupling a fourth switching element between the first capacitor node and a reference potential, and

coupling a fifth switching element between the inductor node and the first capacitor node, such that the fourth switching element and the fifth switching element form a series connection between the inductor node and the reference potential.

11. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising

coupling a first switching element between the input node and the first capacitor node,

and wherein isolating the inductor node from the second capacitor node comprises

opening a second switching element which is coupled between the inductor node and the second capacitor node.

12. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising

establishing, during a second phase of the buck operation mode, a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

13. The method according to claim 10 , comprising

establishing, during a first phase of a boost operation mode, a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor and via the inductor to the output node.

14. The method according to claim 13 , further comprising

establishing, during a second phase of the boost operation mode, a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

15. The method according to claim 10 , comprising

establishing, during the first phase of the buck-boost operation mode, a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor and via the inductor to the output node.

16. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising

establishing, during a second phase of the buck-boost operation mode, a current path from the input node via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to a reference potential.

17. The method according to claim 15 , further comprising

establishing, during a third phase of the buck-boost operation mode, a current path from a reference potential via the inductor to the output node, and a current path from the input node via the flying capacitor to the reference potential.

18. The method according to claim 10 , comprising

sensing a current through the inductor by using the second switching element.