Abstract: A switching power converter includes a first switching stage, a second switching stage, a coupled inductor, and a boost winding. The coupled inductor includes a first phase winding, a second phase winding, and a magnetic core. The first phase winding is wound at least partially around a first portion of the magnetic core, and the first phase winding is electrically coupled to the first switching stage. The second phase winding is wound at least partially around a second portion of the magnetic core, and the second phase winding is electrically coupled to the second switching stage. The boost winding forms at least one turn such that mutual magnetic flux associated with each of the first and second phase windings flows through the at least one turn.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switched tank converter (STC) includes (a) driving a first resonant tank circuit of the STC at a first frequency and with a first fixed on-time, to obtain a first fixed ratio of output voltage of the STC to input voltage of the STC, while the STC is powering a load having a first magnitude and (b) driving the first resonant tank circuit of the STC at a second frequency and with the first fixed on-time, to obtain the first fixed ratio of output voltage of the STC to input voltage of the STC while the STC is powering a load having a second magnitude. The second frequency is smaller than the first frequency, and the second magnitude is smaller than the first magnitude.

Abstract: A switching power converter includes a first switching stage, a second switching stage, a coupled inductor, and a boost winding. The coupled inductor includes a first phase winding, a second phase winding, and a magnetic core. The first phase winding is wound at least partially around a first portion of the magnetic core, and the first phase winding is electrically coupled to the first switching stage. The second phase winding is wound at least partially around a second portion of the magnetic core, and the second phase winding is electrically coupled to the second switching stage. The boost winding forms at least one turn such that mutual magnetic flux associated with each of the first and second phase windings flows through the at least one turn.

Abstract: An inductor includes a magnetic core, a first winding, a first electrically conductive standoff, and a second electrically conductive standoff. The magnetic core includes opposing first and second outer surfaces separated from each other in a first direction. The first winding has first and second ends, and the first winding is wound around at least a portion of the magnetic core. The first electrically conductive standoff is connected to the first end of the first winding, and the first electrically conductive standoff extends along the magnetic core in the first direction from the first outer surface to the second outer surface. The second electrically conductive standoff is connected to the second end of the first winding, and the second electrically conductive standoff extends along the magnetic core in the first direction from the first outer surface to the second outer surface.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switched tank converter (STC) includes (a) driving a first resonant tank circuit of the STC at a first frequency and with a first fixed on-time, to obtain a first fixed ratio of output voltage of the STC to input voltage of the STC, while the STC is powering a load having a first magnitude and (b) driving the first resonant tank circuit of the STC at a second frequency and with the first fixed on-time, to obtain the first fixed ratio of output voltage of the STC to input voltage of the STC while the STC is powering a load having a second magnitude. The second frequency is smaller than the first frequency, and the second magnitude is smaller than the first magnitude.