Always-Dual-Path Hybrid DC-DC Converter with Soft Charging for High Efficiency with Reduced Passive Components

While dual-path hybrid DC-DC converters can enhance efficiency by reducing inductor current relative to the load current, the presence of spike currents from the switched capacitor complicates the reduction of passive components when the switching frequency is limited. In this paper, an always-dual-path hybrid (ADPH) converter with soft charging using a sub-inductor is proposed for achieving high efficiency with reduced passive components. In the measurements, the proposed ADPH converter with soft charging demonstrated a 2.3 % efficiency improvement at 8 AOUT full load while occupying a smaller area/volume than the conventional buck converter.