System and method to eliminate transition losses in DC/DC converters

摘要

Various embodiments of the invention reduce switching losses associated with existing non-zero volt switching and non-zero current switching in DC/DC converters without the need for a resonant design. Certain embodiments of the invention provide for improved efficiency by reducing switching losses related to the simultaneous presence of current and voltage across high power switching devices. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by adding a relatively small inductor and two switching elements to various switching regulator topologies. Energy stored in the inductor is used to transition the output of the switching converter to achieve zero volt switching and zero current switching.

主权项

1. A switching regulator comprising:
a first inductor comprising a first terminal coupled to a first voltage node; a second inductor coupled to the first voltage node to create a series configuration the first inductor, the second inductor coupled to a second terminal; a first low-side switch coupled to the first terminal; a first high-side switch coupled to the first terminal; a second low-side switch coupled to the second terminal; and a second high-side switch coupled to the second terminal, the one or more switches being controlled by a controller to cause the second inductor to release energy to the first voltage node to facilitate zero-voltage switching.