Boost converter with reduced switching loss and methods of operating the same

摘要

An apparatus, e.g., a boost converter, includes a first switch configured to be coupled to an inductor and to support a charging current in the inductor from a power source and at least two serially-coupled second switches coupled in parallel with the first switch and configured to selectively route current from the inductor to at least two serially-connected capacitors. The apparatus may further include a control circuit configured to operate the first switch and the plurality of second switches.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
an input port; an inductor having a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the input port; a first switch configured to couple and decouple a second terminal of the input port and a second terminal of the inductor; at least two serially-coupled capacitors; at least two serially-coupled second switches coupled in parallel with the first switch and configured to selectively route current from the inductor to the at least two serially-coupled capacitors; and a control circuit configured to close the first switch to charge the inductor from a power source at the input port in spaced apart first intervals and to operate the at least two serially-coupled second switches to discharge the charged inductor directly into different individual ones of the at least two serially-coupled capacitors in respective spaced apart second intervals interspersed with the first intervals and thereby develop a voltage across a load coupled in parallel with the at least two serially-coupled capacitors.