Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: A cascade multiplier includes a switch network having switching elements, a phase pump, and a network of pump capacitors coupled with the phase pump and to the switch network. The network of pump capacitors includes first and second capacitors, both of which have one terminal DC coupled with the phase pump, and a third capacitor coupled with the phase pump through the first capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electric power includes a power-converter having a path for power flow between first and second power-converter terminals. During operation the first and second power-converter terminals are maintained at respective first and second voltages. Two regulating-circuits and a switching network are disposed on the path. The first regulating-circuit includes a magnetic-storage element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal. The second regulating-circuit includes a second-regulating-circuit terminal. The first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the first switching-network-terminal and the second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the second switching-network-terminal. The switching network is transitions between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration. In the first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in the first charge-storage-element at a first rate.

Abstract: Operating a charge pump in which switches from a first set of switches couple capacitor terminals to permit charge transfer between them and in which switches from a second set of switches couple capacitor terminals of capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal includes cycling the switches through a sequence of states, each state defining a corresponding configuration of the switches. At least three of the states define different configurations of the switches. During each of the configurations, charge transfer is permitted between a pair of elements, one of which is a first capacitor and another of which is either a second capacitor or the first terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: Operating a charge pump in which switches from a first set of switches couple capacitor terminals to permit charge transfer between them and in which switches from a second set of switches couple capacitor terminals of capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal includes cycling the switches through a sequence of states, each state defining a corresponding configuration of the switches. At least three of the states define different configurations of the switches. During each of the configurations, charge transfer is permitted between a pair of elements, one of which is a first capacitor and another of which is either a second capacitor or the first terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a transformation stage for transforming a first voltage into a second voltage. The transformation stage includes a switching network, a filter, and a controller. The filter is configured to connect the transformation stage to a regulator. The controller controls the switching network.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a switching network that controls interconnections between pump capacitors in a capacitor network that has a terminal coupled to a current source, and a charge-management subsystem. In operation, the switching network causes the capacitor network to execute charge-pump operating cycles during each of which the capacitor network adopts different configurations in response to different configurations of the switching network. At the start of a first charge-pump operating cycle, each pump capacitor assumes a corresponding initial state. The charge-management subsystem restores each pump capacitor to the initial state by the start of a second charge-pump operating cycle that follows the first charge-pump operating cycle.

Abstract: In an apparatus in which an electrical interconnection interconnects stacked active and passive layers, switches, including at least first, second, third, and fourth switches, on the active layer define a switching network that, when connected to a fly capacitor on the passive layer, define a circuit having a first node connected to the first and second switches and to a first terminal of the fly capacitor, a second node connected to the second switch and third switches, and a third node connected to the third switch and fourth switches and to a second terminal of the fly capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing electric power includes a power-converter having a path for power flow between first and second power-converter terminals. During operation the first and second power-converter terminals are maintained at respective first and second voltages. Two regulating-circuits and a switching network are disposed on the path. The first regulating-circuit includes a magnetic-storage element and a first-regulating-circuit terminal. The second regulating-circuit includes a second-regulating-circuit terminal. The first-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the first switching-network-terminal and the second-regulating-circuit terminal is connected to the second switching-network-terminal. The switching network is transitions between a first switch-configuration and a second switch-configuration. In the first switch-configuration, charge accumulates in the first charge-storage-element at a first rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion includes a transformation stage for transforming a first voltage into a second voltage. The transformation stage includes a switching network, a filter, and a controller. The filter is configured to connect the transformation stage to a regulator. The controller controls the switching network.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a charge pump packaged with a load that receives charge provided by the charge pump, the charge pump comprising a plurality of switches that, when connected to a plurality of capacitors, cause the plurality of capacitors to assume a selected configuration, wherein the switches are configured to cause transitions between configurations of the capacitors.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling to capacitors to form a charge pump includes first and second sets of switch elements, and a controller. Switches in the first set couple terminals of capacitors to permit charge transfer between them. Switches in the second set couple terminals of at least some of the capacitors to either a high-voltage or a low-voltage terminal. The controller causes the switches to cycle through a sequence of states, each defining a corresponding configuration of the switch elements. At least three of the states define different configurations permitting charge transfer either between a first capacitor and a second capacitor, or between a first capacitor and one of the terminals. The configured cycle of states causes voltage conversion between the two terminals.

Abstract: In a power converter, a switching network having switches that operate at a common frequency and duty cycle interconnects circuit elements. These circuit elements include capacitors that are in a capacitor network and a magnetic filter. When connected to the capacitors by a switch from the switching network, the magnetic filter imposes a constraint upon inter-capacitor charge transfer between the capacitors to maintain the filter's second terminal at a voltage. The switching network transitions between states. These states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. In both the first state and the third state, the first magnetic-filter terminal couples to the capacitor network. In the second state, which occurs between the first and third state, the switches ground the first magnetic-filter terminal.

Abstract: A cascade multiplier includes a switch network having switching elements, a phase pump, and a network of pump capacitors coupled with the phase pump and to the switch network. The network of pump capacitors includes first and second capacitors, both of which have one terminal DC coupled with the phase pump, and a third capacitor coupled with the phase pump through the first capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.