Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) includes a transformer having a plurality of windings sharing a common core and a plurality of primary stages coupled in series. Each of the plurality of primary stages include a winding of the plurality of windings, a switch having a first node coupled to a first terminal of the winding, and a first capacitor coupled between a second terminal of the winding and a second node of the switch.

Abstract: A method of operating a converter includes a transformer having a first winding and a second winding; a first full-bridge coupled to the first winding of the transformer; and a second full-bridge coupled to the second winding of the transformer. The method includes: injecting an auxiliary current into the second full-bridge, where the injected auxiliary current causes a voltage across a transistor of the first full-bridge to decrease; and turning on the transistor of the first full-bridge a first time period after injecting the auxiliary current.

Abstract: A method of operating a converter includes a transformer having a first winding and a second winding; a first full-bridge coupled to the first winding of the transformer; and a second full-bridge coupled to the second winding of the transformer. The method includes: injecting an auxiliary current into the second full-bridge, where the injected auxiliary current causes a voltage across a transistor of the first full-bridge to decrease; and turning on the transistor of the first full-bridge a first time period after injecting the auxiliary current.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are provided for using a switching voltage converter to convert an input voltage into an output voltage. The voltage converter includes multiple switch stages, and the switch stages are coupled to each other both galvanically and magnetically. Power is transferred among the switch stages magnetically via magnetic coupling elements (e.g., transformer windings) that are coupled to each of the switch stages. The magnetic power transfer allows the voltage converter to support high power transfers, while the galvanic connections between the switch stages allows for relatively simple control of switches within the switch stages. Inductances associated with the magnetic coupling elements, may provide zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of the switches. Due to the simple switch control, magnetic power transfer, and ZVS, the provided voltage converters support relatively high power transfers in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Circuits and methods are provided for voltage conversion within a switched-capacitor converter (SCC). The SCC includes multiple switch stages cascaded together. Each switch stage includes two half bridges connected in parallel. Each half bridge has a high and low-side switch connected at a switching node. The switching nodes of each half bridge of each switch stage are coupled to corresponding switching nodes of some other switch stage via capacitors. The switches are controlled such that during a first interval, a phase A capacitor attached to each switch stage is charged while a phase B capacitor is discharged. During a second interval, the phase B capacitor is charged while the phase A capacitor is discharged. By alternating the intervals thusly, one of the capacitors coupled to each switch stage is nearly always discharging such that it can provide current to an output of the SCC or some adjacent switch stage.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) includes a transformer having a plurality of windings sharing a common core and a plurality of primary stages coupled in series. Each of the plurality of primary stages include a winding of the plurality of windings, a switch having a first node coupled to a first terminal of the winding, and a first capacitor coupled between a second terminal of the winding and a second node of the switch.