Power converters
A buck-boost converter for converting an input voltage at an input node into an output voltage at an output node, the converter comprising: first and second inductor nodes for connection of an inductor therebetween; a first converter stage coupled between the input node and the first inductor node; and a second converter stage coupled between the second inductor node and the output node, wherein one or more of the first converter stage and the second converter stage comprises a switching network, comprising: a first switch for selectively connecting a first flying capacitor node to a stage input node; a second switch for selectively connecting the first flying capacitor node to a stage output node; a third switch for selectively connecting a second flying capacitor node to the stage output node; and a fourth switch for selectively connecting the second flying capacitor node to a reference voltage, the first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection of a flying capacitor therebetween.
1. An integrated circuit comprising a buck-boost converter for converting an input voltage at an input node into an output voltage at an output node, the converter comprising:
first and second inductor nodes for connection of an inductor therebetween, the second inductor node coupled to a reference voltage node;
a first converter stage coupled between the input node and the first inductor node;
a second converter stage coupled between the first inductor node and the output node; and
an output capacitor coupled between the output node and the reference voltage node,
wherein one or more of the first converter stage and the second converter stage comprises a switching network, comprising:
a first switch for selectively connecting a first flying capacitor node to a stage input node;
a second switch for selectively connecting the first flying capacitor node to a stage output node;
a third switch for selectively connecting a second flying capacitor node to the stage output node; and
a fourth switch for selectively connecting the second flying capacitor node to a reference voltage, the first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection of a flying capacitor therebetween.
2. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to control the first, second, third, and fourth switches of the switching network.
3. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first converter stage comprises the switching network, and wherein the second converter stage comprises a fifth switch.
4. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein:
the stage input node of the first converter stage is coupled to the input node of the converter,
the stage output node of the first converter stage is coupled to the first inductor node, and
the fifth switch is coupled between the first inductor node and the output node.
5. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the first converter stage and the second converter stage each comprises the switching network.
6. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , further comprising the inductor.
7. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , further comprising the flying capacitor.
8. The integrated circuit of claim 1 , wherein the second converter stage comprises the switching network, and wherein the first converter stage comprises a fifth switch.
9. The integrated circuit of claim 8 , wherein:
the stage input node of the second converter stage is coupled to the first inductor node,
the stage output node of the second converter stage is coupled to the output node of the converter, and
the fifth switch is coupled between the input node and the first inductor node.
10. An electronic device comprising a buck-boost converter for converting an input voltage at an input node into an output voltage at an output node, the converter comprising:
first and second inductor nodes for connection of an inductor therebetween, the second inductor node coupled to a reference voltage node;
a first converter stage coupled between the input node and the first inductor node;
a second converter stage coupled between the first inductor node and the output node; and
an output capacitor coupled between the output node and the reference voltage node,
wherein one or more of the first converter stage and the second converter stage comprises a switching network, comprising:
a first switch for selectively connecting a first flying capacitor node to a stage input node;
a second switch for selectively connecting the first flying capacitor node to a stage output node;
a third switch for selectively connecting a second flying capacitor node to the stage output node; and
a fourth switch for selectively connecting the second flying capacitor node to a reference voltage, the first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection of a flying capacitor therebetween.
11. The electronic device of claim 10 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a mobile computing device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a games console, a remote-control device, a home automation controller or a domestic appliance, a toy, a robot, an audio player, a video player, or a mobile telephone, and a smartphone.