Abstract: A single stage power converter has an energy storage device and is configured to receive electrical power. The single stage power converter includes: (1) an inductor, coupled to the energy storage device, for affecting a voltage across the energy storage device, (2) an asymmetrical half-bridge power circuit coupled to the energy storage device and having first and second power switches capable of being alternately activated to conduct current from the energy storage device to an output thereof and (3) a controller for controlling activation of the first and second power switches as a function of a characteristic of the output thereby to enhance a regulation of the output.

Abstract: A voltage stress (e.g., reverse voltage stress) in rectifying diodes of, for instance, an asymmetrical DC-to-DC converter is reduced by using a transformer circuit having multiple power transformers with a composite static transfer characteristic. More specifically, the static transfer characteristic is selected to be monotonic in combination with the transformer circuit including two transformers, having independent isolated cores, coupling an input to output of the converter. A primary to secondary winding ratio of each of the two transformers is selected in such a way as to achieve a reduction in reverse voltage in at least one of the rectifying diodes. The reduction in the reverse voltage and, hence, improved efficiency of the rectifier is directly translatable into an increase in a power density of the converter.

Abstract: An integrated power converter and a method of operation thereof. The integrated power converter, having an energy storage device, includes: (1) a conditioning circuit coupled to the energy storage device and having a control switch for affecting a voltage across the energy storage device, (2) an asymmetrical half-bridge power circuit coupled to the energy storage device and having first and second power switches capable of being alternately activated to conduct current from the energy storage device to an output thereof and (3) a controller for controlling activation of both the control switch and the first and second power switches as a function of a characteristic of the output thereby to enhance a regulation of the output.