Multi-mode power converter with shared components

Abstract

Compared to conventional designs, the battery management circuit can be implemented with fewer components while maintaining performance. Embodiments include a power converter including an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled to a battery interface circuit through a first inductor, and an inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the battery interface circuit through a second inductor. In a first mode of operation, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated. In a second mode of operation, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated. The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and at least one of (1) a power switch coupled to a voltage source terminal and a reference potential terminal, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) a first inductor.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 395,582 filed on August 5, 2022 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 435,119 filed on December 23, 2022, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly to power converter circuits including DC-DC power converter circuits and battery management systems. Background Art

[0004] Many electronic products, especially mobile computing and / or communication products and components (e.g., cell phones, notebook computers, ultrabook computers, tablet devices, LCD and LED displays) require multiple voltage levels. For example, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter power amplifier may require a relatively high voltage (e.g., 12V or higher), while logic circuitry may require a low voltage level (e.g., 1V to 3V). Still other circuitry may require an intermediate voltage level (e.g., 5V to 10V).

[0005] Direct current (DC) power converters are commonly used to generate lower or higher voltages from common power sources such as batteries, solar cells, and rectified alternating current (AC) sources. Power converters that generate lower output voltage levels from higher input voltage sources are often called step-down converters, so called because the output voltage V OUT Less than the input voltage V IN , and thus the converter "steps down" the input voltage. Power converters that generate a higher output voltage level from a lower input voltage supply are often referred to as boost converters because V OUT Greater than V IN Depending on the specific configuration, such as which terminals are used for input and output, some power converters can be either buck converters or boost converters. Some power converters can provide an inverting output.

[0006] Modern devices, especially mobile devices (e.g., cellular phones), often require complex battery management systems to optimize device usage time and battery life while preventing battery overcharging and thermal degradation. It is known to utilize two different types of power converters in such battery management systems to charge the device battery and provide system voltage to the device.

[0007] One type of DC power converter, known as an inductive power converter, may include a charge transfer capacitor and a relatively large output inductor as energy storage elements coupled through a controlled switch to transfer charge from VIN Transmit to V OUT In some embodiments, the inductive power converter may be implemented as a multi-level inductive power converter. Another type of DC power converter, known as an adiabatic charge pump, includes a charge transfer capacitor and a relatively small output inductor as energy storage elements coupled by a controlled switch to transfer charge from V IN Transmit to V OUT Of the two types, the charge transfer capacitor is often referred to as a "flying capacitor" or a "pump capacitor." Each time a flying capacitor is used (i.e., not bypassed), the electrical energy flowing through it will generally charge or discharge the flying capacitor. While multilevel power converters and adiabatic charge pumps may have similar topologies in some configurations, they differ in the size of the inductor required for optimal performance and efficiency.

[0008] FIG1A is a schematic diagram of an example of a prior art adiabatic two-phase three-level charge pump 100. The first phase subcircuit includes a circuit for inputting a voltage V IN The node L between the input terminal and switches S2 and S3 X The switches S1 and S2 are coupled in series between the nodes L X Shunt switches S3, S4 coupled in series with a reference potential (eg, circuit ground), a flying capacitor C1 connected between switch pairs S1-S2 and S3-S4 as shown, and a capacitor at node L X With for V OUT A relatively small (e.g., about 1 nH to several hundred nH, depending on the power level) shared inductor LS (“S” stands for “small”) is coupled between the output terminals of the second phase subcircuit. IN The input terminal and the node L between switches S2' and S3' X The switches S1' and S2' are coupled in series between the nodes L X Shunt switches S3', S4' coupled in series with the reference potential, a flying capacitor C1' connected between the switch pairs S1'-S2' and S3'-S4' as shown, and a capacitor at a node L X With for V OUT A shared inductor LS is coupled between the output terminals of . A smoothing capacitor C0 is coupled between the output terminals and a reference potential. In operation, switches S1 and S3 are driven by a clock signal Switches S2 and S4 are switched to the same open or closed state in unison, and the clock signal to switch to the same open or closed state, the clock signal Relative to the clock signal (with dead time between clock transitions) phase interleaved (with dead time between phases). The result for the example shown is V OUT =1 / 2V IN The operation of switches S1' to S4' is similar, but switches S1' and S3' are clocked by the clock signal Switches S2' and S4' are switched to the same open or closed state in unison, and the clock signal Switch in unison to the same open or closed state. Using two interleaved phases helps provide smoother voltage and current at the output terminals.

[0009] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an example of a prior art 3-level inductive buck converter 102. A set of four switches S1 to S4 are coupled in series for V IN The flying capacitor C1 is coupled in series with switches S1 and S4 and in parallel with switches S2 and S3. B (“B” stands for “big”) coupled to the node L between the output capacitor C0 and switches S2 and S3 X . Inductor L B Typically has about 2 to more than about 100 times the inductance L S The voltage across the output capacitor C0 is at the output terminal as V OUT Available.

[0010] In the example shown, the presence of a single flying capacitor C1 enables four switch states, each at node L X One of three voltage levels is generated at the IN or V IN / 2 (in two different ways). X In the first switching state at the primary voltage level at node 1, switches S3 and S4 are closed, and switches S1 and S2 are open, thereby effectively bypassing C1 and placing L X Connect to circuit ground (L X = GND). In defining L X In the second switching state of the three-level voltage level at node 1, switches S3 and S4 are open, and switches S1 and S2 are closed, again effectively bypassing C1 and placing L X Connect to V IN (L X The voltage level at = V IN ).

[0011] In defining L X In the third switching state, switches S2 and S4 are open and switches S1 and S3 are closed, thereby switching C1 from VIN Connect to L X , and thus utilizes the inductor L flowing into the load S The current charges C1. The voltage across C1 will be approximately V IN / 2, and L X The voltage level at will also be approximately equal to V IN / 2. In the definition of L X In the fourth switching state of the secondary voltage level at the node, switches S2 and S4 are closed and switches S1 and S3 are opened, thereby switching C1 from L X connected to GND, and thus utilizes the inductor L flowing from the load S The current discharges C1. The voltage across C1 will be approximately V IN / 2, and L X The voltage level at will also be approximately equal to V IN / 2 (this assumes that C1 was previously charged in state three). Therefore, the inductive buck converter 102 shown has a current of X Generate V at the node IN The output voltage V can be realized by switching between the levels using a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal from a controller (not shown). OUT range.

[0012] Although a number of different architectures for battery management systems have been proposed or implemented, there is a need for circuits and methods for providing battery management more effectively and efficiently. In particular, there is a need for battery management circuit configurations that can be implemented with fewer components (thereby reducing size) while maintaining circuit performance. The present invention addresses this need and other needs. Summary of the invention

[0013] The present invention includes a battery management circuit configuration that can be implemented using fewer components (thereby reducing IC size) compared to conventional designs while maintaining circuit performance.

[0014] Generally, the present invention includes a power converter circuit comprising a first terminal for receiving a first voltage, a second terminal for providing a second voltage, a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential, a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential, an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor, and an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor, wherein in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated, wherein in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated, and wherein the adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and at least one of: (1) a power switch coupled to the first terminal and a power switch coupled to the third terminal, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) a first inductor.

[0015] The present invention also includes a combination of a Dickson charge pump and an inductive buck converter circuit such that all flying capacitors are shared, or some of the flying capacitors are shared. The present invention also includes an output current sensing circuit combined with a charge pump, the charge pump being connected to the inductor L S To the output capacitor C OUT Provides charge.

[0016] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of one example of a prior art adiabatic two-phase three-level charge pump.

[0018] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an example of a prior art 3-level inductive buck converter.

[0019] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating a first example battery management system.

[0020] Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating a second example battery management system.

[0021] Figure 3A and Figure 3B An example battery charging current graph and a battery charging voltage graph are shown, respectively.

[0022] Figure 4Ais a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0023] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a first type of battery interface circuit used in.

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first variation of a first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0025] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram of a second variation of the first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0026] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A Schematic diagram of a second type of battery interface circuit used in.

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a third variation of the first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0028] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0029] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a variation of the second embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0030] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0031] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a first variation of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0032] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of a second variation of the third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0033] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of a third variation of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0034] Fig.14 is a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0035] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit.

[0036] Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use as a battery management system.

[0037] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use as a battery management system.

[0038] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use as a battery management system.

[0039] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a prior art divide-by-4 (4:1) dual-phase Dickson charge pump 1900 .

[0040] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a prior art 5-level inductive buck converter.

[0041] Fig.21 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit based on a two-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter.

[0042] Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit based on a two-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter.

[0043] Fig.23 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit based on a dual-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 3-level inductive buck converter.

[0044] FIG. 24 shows a set of example graphs of output voltage and current versus time for a conventional switch mode power supply.

[0045] Fig.25 shows that through the inductor L S To the output capacitor C OUT A set of example graphs of output voltage and current versus time of a charge pump providing charge.

[0046] Fig.26 is a block diagram of a charge pump system including an output current sensing circuit.

[0047] Fig. 27 is a block diagram illustrating an example battery management system.

[0048] Fig.28 is a top plan view of a substrate which may be, for example, a printed circuit board or a chip module substrate (eg, a thin film block).

[0049] Fig.29 is a process flow diagram illustrating one method for converting a first voltage to a second voltage.

[0050] Unless context requires otherwise, similar reference numbers and designations in the various drawings generally identify similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present invention includes a battery management circuit configuration that can provide a small and efficient solution.

[0052] Battery Management System

[0053] Before considering the novel combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuits disclosed hereinbelow, it may be useful to better understand novel examples of battery management systems in which such circuits may be particularly useful.

[0054] Figure 2A is a block diagram illustrating a first example battery management system 200. The battery management system 200 may, for example, provide a voltage V to one or more system loads 202 (eg, a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet computer, etc.). SYS . In the example shown, the battery management system 200 can receive power via a wired power delivery path 204 (e.g., USB-C, etc.) to support internal circuit systems and / or to facilitate charging the battery 206. The wired power delivery path 204 can be coupled to an AC / DC adapter 208a external to the battery management system 200. In some embodiments, the wired power delivery path 204 can be replaced or supplemented by a wireless power delivery path including an external wireless interface 210a coupled to the AC / DC adapter 208b and an internal wireless interface 210b. The external wireless interface 210a and the internal wireless interface 210b can be, for example, components that comply with the Qi inductive wireless power transfer standard. The internal wireless interface 210b can also include a power conditioning circuit system, such as a low dropout (LDO) DC linear voltage regulator circuit. The selector switch 212 can select the AC / DC adapter 208a or the internal wireless interface 210b to provide an internal voltage V IN .

[0055] Voltage VIN is shown coupled to the input of a charge pump 214 and the input of an inductive buck converter 216, each of which outputs a corresponding conversion voltage V OUT_CP 、V OUT_BK In the example shown, the output V of the inductive buck converter 216 is OUT_BK Provides a system voltage V to the system load 202 SYS , and can be switched by switch M BAT 218 (eg, a field effect transistor) is selectively coupled to the battery 206 to provide charge to the battery 206. OUT_BK When the battery management system 200 is not connected to the AC / DC adapter 208, the switch M BAT 218 is also used to selectively provide a voltage V to the system load 202 BAT In the example shown, the output of the charge pump 214 is coupled directly to the battery 206 to provide charge to the battery 206 .

[0056] In the example shown, LC filter 220 is coupled to V SYS When switch M BAT 218 is turned on, this state introduces a higher capacitance (e.g. connected to V SYS Those system loads 202). Add a SYS The LC filter 220 of the line isolates the capacitance associated with the system load 202 and improves the efficiency of the charge pump 214 if the charge pump 214 does not have an inductive element. The redistribution losses in the charge pump are a function of the flying capacitance and the output capacitance. The efficiency is improved by increasing the flying capacitance and / or reducing the output capacitance. The disadvantage of increasing the flying capacitance would be a larger size, and the disadvantage of reducing the output capacitance is an increased ripple at the output. The LC filter 220 can remove the output voltage ripple without sacrificing efficiency. There may also be other optimal locations where the LC filter can be placed.

[0057] In some embodiments, the switch inside the charge pump 214 and the inductive buck converter 216 can be used to select the AC / DC adapter 208a or the internal wireless interface 210b to provide the voltage V IN , thereby allowing the selector switch 212 to be omitted.

[0058] Figure 2B is a block diagram illustrating a second example battery management system 200 ′. Figure 2A In the first example battery management system 200, the charge pump 214 and the inductive buck converter 216 have respective outputs V OUT_CP 、V OUT_BKProvides a system voltage V to the system load 202 SYS , and can be switched by switch M BAT 218 is selectively coupled to the battery 206 to provide charge to the battery 206. OUT_CP and V OUT_BK When insufficient, switch M BAT 218 is also used to selectively provide a voltage V to the system load 202 BAT .

[0059] for Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the example shown in , the controller 222 provides control signals to the charge pump 214, the inductive buck converter 216, the selector switch 212, and (optionally) to the AC / DC adapter 208 and / or to the internal wireless interface 210b to control the operation of those components in a known manner. For example, the operation of a non-adiabatic charge pump power converter is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,263,514 B1, entitled Selectable Conversion Ratio DC-DC Converter, issued on April 16, 2019, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. The operation of an adiabatic charge pump power converter is described in U.S. Patent No. 11,075,576 B2, entitled Apparatus and Method for Efficient Shutdown of Adiabatic Charge Pumps, issued on July 27, 2021, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. The operation of an inductive buck power converter is described in U.S. Patent No. 10,424,564 B2, issued on June 3, 2014, entitled Power Converters with Integrated Capacitors, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0060] The charge pump 214 and the inductive buck converter 216 are typically implemented on separate integrated circuit (IC) chips connected to corresponding external flying capacitors and inductors. Note that while the battery 206 is shown as included within the battery management system 200, 200', the battery 206 can be an external component configured to be coupled to the illustrated battery management system 200, 200' circuitry via an appropriate terminal or node BATT.

[0061] Battery Charge Management

[0062] Optimizing battery life while preventing battery overcharging and thermal degradation can be complex and typically involves different types of charging phases to accommodate the charge / discharge, aging, and other characteristics of a particular battery type (lithium-ion, lithium polymer, etc.). For example, these phases may include a trickle charge phase, a pre-charge phase, a constant current (CC) phase, and / or a constant voltage (CV) or ramp phase. During these or similar charging phases, for example, the battery management system may monitor one or more applicable temperatures and, for example, may reduce the charging current if a particular monitored temperature meets or exceeds a specified threshold. A battery management system that includes both a charge pump and an inductive buck converter may select one or the other (or both) power converters as best suited to the needs of the battery at the moment and the output characteristics of the selected power converter.

[0063] For example, Figure 3A and Figure 3B , respectively, show an example battery charging current curve and a battery charging voltage curve. Also referring to the corresponding embedded tables 302a, 302b, the inductive buck converter (BK) uses the trickle current I TC Charge the battery and use the pre-charge current I PC Once the battery voltage crosses the first threshold V CC1 , the battery can again use the first fast charging constant current I from BK CC1 Once the battery voltage crosses the second threshold V CC2 , the battery can be charged using a second fast charging constant current I from the charge pump (CP) CC2 To charge. When the battery voltage reaches V REG When the battery can maintain V REG The point at which the CP operation switches to the BK operation during the constant voltage (gradient) phase may be determined by various trigger points such as time, voltage, current, etc. If the battery current reaches I TERM , then charging is complete. In some cases, the battery management system may not need to traverse all zones (Z1 to Z6) to complete battery charging, and therefore some zones may be skipped. In some applications, additional zones may be added.

[0064] The following are examples of multiple embodiments and variations of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Each circuit can switch between a CP mode of operation and a BK mode of operation. Switching between the CP mode of operation and the BK mode of operation is controlled by a system controller in a known manner to select various current and voltage battery charging modes, such as Figure 3A and Figure 3B , adding only the necessary control signals to reconfigure the circuitry of a particular implementation to activate or deactivate the CP and BK circuitry.

[0065] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The example battery management system shown in, when adapted for use with any of the combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuits disclosed below, can be particularly useful in a variety of applications, such as (1) flash charging systems that can provide high power (tens to hundreds of kilowatts), and (2) applications that may require a programmable power supply (PPS), such as the USB-PPS standard, which allows step-wise changes in current and voltage.

[0066] First embodiment

[0067] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Two stacks S1 to S4 and S5 to S8 of series-coupled power switches are coupled to V IN The power switch can be implemented using, for example, a field effect transistor (FET). As shown, a first flying capacitor C1 is coupled between switch pairs S1-S2 and S3-S4, and a second flying capacitor C2 is coupled between switch pairs S5-S6 and S7-S8. A relatively small inductor L S The switch pair S6-S7 is coupled to the first type of battery interface (BI 1 ) circuit 402, the first type of battery interface circuit 402 is further coupled to the battery interface circuit for V SYS The output terminal of the relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance) is coupled between the switch pair S2-S3 and BI 1 Between circuits 402.

[0068] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A Schematic diagram of a first type of battery interface circuit 402 used in. A relatively large inductor L B Coupled to V SYS The output terminal, output capacitor C OUT and transistor M BAT The first end of the conductive channel of the transistor M BAT The second end of the conductive channel is coupled to the shared battery capacitor C BAT and battery 404. A relatively small inductor L S Also coupled to the shared battery capacitor CBAT , battery 404 and transistor M BAT In some applications, if the transistor M is in operation when the CP circuit system is in operation, BAT conduction, the relatively small inductor L S Can also be connected to the output capacitor C OUT and connected to V SYS output terminals.

[0069] The first type of battery interface circuit 402 can be modeled as having a L B and L S The corresponding input, the reference potential terminal (e.g., to circuit ground), and the SYS The various embodiments described below utilize a first type of battery interface circuit 402 .

[0070] Return to reference Figure 4A The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402t. The presence of flying capacitor C1 allows the buck converter circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S5 to S8 are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B.

[0071] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S5 to S8, flying capacitor C2, inductor L S and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S5 to S8 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S5 to S8 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, BI 1 Circuit 402 is shared by the buck converter circuitry and the charge pump circuitry, and when transistor MBAT is turned on, the output capacitor C OUT and shared battery capacitor C BAT Such a configuration can save components and layout space, or allow the use of smaller value components, even if the buck converter circuitry and charge pump circuitry are fabricated on separate IC chips (remember, the output capacitor C OUT Driving the various switches S1 to S8 is straightforward because the combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit can effectively be controlled to share only the BI 1A separate circuit of circuit 402.

[0073] It is important that the inductor L used in the buck converter circuit system and the charge pump circuit system B and L S are individually sized to optimize performance, efficiency, and layout space for those circuits.

[0074] Table 1 below summarizes Figure 4A The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0075] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4 C1 <![CDATA[L B ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> CP S5-S8 C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> Shared components – – – <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]>

[0076] Table 1

[0077] First Modification of the First Embodiment

[0078] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first variation of a first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Figure 4A As shown, the added conductor 502 couples the switch pairs S1-S2 and S5-S6, and as shown, the added conductor 504 couples the switch pairs S3-S4 and S7-S8. The added conductors 502, 504 effectively couple the capacitors C1 and C2 in parallel.

[0079] The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductor L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. During BK operation, switches S5 to S8 are open (thus deactivating the CP circuitry), and switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B. Since the capacitances of capacitors coupled in parallel are additive (e.g., capacitance of C1||C2=C1+C2), the presence of parallel coupled flying capacitors C1 and C2 allows the BK circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter, but with Figure 4A The circuit of FIG. 1 may have a larger flying capacitance or a smaller capacitor component (or a combination of smaller capacitor components having a greater total capacitance than a single capacitor) than the circuit of FIG. 1 . In some cases, one of the capacitors C1 , C2 may be omitted if the capacitance of the other capacitor is large enough.

[0080] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S5 to S8, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductor L S and B.I. 1Circuit 402. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S5 to S8 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S5 to S8 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A). Again, the presence of parallel coupled flying capacitors C1 and C2 allows the CP circuitry to be operated as a charge pump, but with Figure 4A The circuit of FIG. 1 may have a larger flying capacitance or a smaller capacitor component (or a combination of smaller capacitor components having a greater total capacitance than a single capacitor) than the circuit of FIG. 1 . As described above, one of the capacitors C1 , C2 may be omitted if the capacitance of the other capacitor is large enough for a particular application.

[0081] Table 2 below summarizes Figure 5 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0082] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L B ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> CP S5-S8 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> Shared components – C1,C2 – <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]>

[0083] Table 2

[0084] Second Modification of the First Embodiment

[0085] Fig. 6A is a schematic diagram of a second variation of the first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Figure 4A The circuit, inductor L B As shown by the inductor L S Coupled to a second type of battery interface circuit (BI 2 ) circuit 602.

[0086] Figure 6B yes Fig. 6A Schematic diagram of a second type of battery interface circuit 602 used in . The relatively large inductor L B and a relatively small inductor L S In some configurations the series coupling is L B +L S , while in other configurations the series coupling is L S +L B . The series coupled inductor L B , L S is coupled to V SYS The output terminal, output capacitor C OUT and transistor M BAT The first end of the conductive channel of the transistor M BAT The second end of the conductive channel is coupled to the shared battery capacitor C BAT and battery 604. and transistor M BATA low resistance bypass switch S coupled in parallel BP0 Can be used in some applications to provide a BAT This capability may be particularly useful when the only active power converter is a charge pump circuit that charges battery 604 directly, because transistor M BAT The relatively high resistance of transistor M will reduce the overall efficiency. Therefore, generally, when the coupled charge pump is working efficiently, transistor M BAT Set to the closed (conducting) state.

[0087] The second type of battery interface circuit 602 can be modeled as having an inductor L for series coupling B , L S input, a reference potential terminal (e.g., to circuit ground), and a SYS The various embodiments described below utilize a second type of battery interface circuit 602 .

[0088] Note that B.I. 1 Circuit 402 and BI 2 Circuit 602 is only a slight variation of each other and by appropriately setting the bypass switch S BP0 state and place the small inductor L S Connect to a BATT node to configure as a BI 1 Circuit 402 (thus making the circuit a four-terminal block), can be used in all cases BI 2 Circuit 602.

[0089] The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B +L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. During BK operation, switches S5 to S8 are open (thus deactivating the CP circuitry), and switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B. Figure 4A Compared with the implementation method, the inductor L B and L S The series coupling allows the inductor L B With a smaller inductance (approximately L S The inductance of the inductor L B Can be physically Figure 4A For example, if Figure 4A The inductor L in the circuit B With a ratio of L S The inductance is about 10 times greater than the inductance of Fig. 6A The inductor L in the circuitB Maybe only need to be L S The inductance is about 9 times greater than the inductance of L during BK operation. S The inductance will be added to L B inductance.

[0090] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S5 to S8, flying capacitor C2, inductor L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S5 to S8 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S5 to S8 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0091] Table 3 below summarizes Fig. 6A The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0092] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4 C1 <![CDATA[L B +L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> CP S5-S8 C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> Shared components -– -– <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]>

[0093] Table 3

[0094] Third Modification of the First Embodiment

[0095] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a third variation of the first embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Fig. 6A As shown in the circuit, the added conductor 702 couples the switch pairs S1-S2 and S5-S6, and as shown, the added conductor 704 couples the switch pairs S3-S4 and S7-S8. Figure 5 As in the circuit of , the added conductors 702, 704 effectively couple capacitors C1 and C2 in parallel.

[0096] The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductor L B +L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. During BK operation, switches S5 to S8 are open (thus deactivating the CP circuitry), and switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B. Figure 4A Compared with the implementation method, the inductor L B and L S The series coupling allows the inductor L B With a smaller inductance (approximately L S The inductance of the inductor L B Can be physically Figure 4AThe presence of parallel coupled flying capacitors C1 and C2 allows the BK circuit system to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter, but with Figure 4A The circuit may have a larger flying capacitance or have a smaller capacitor component (or a combination of smaller capacitor components having a greater total capacitance than a single capacitor) than the circuit of the present invention.

[0097] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S5 to S8, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductor L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S5 to S8 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S5 to S8 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0098] Table 4 below summarizes Figure 7 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0099] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L B +L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> CP S5-S8 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> Shared components – C1,C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]>

[0100] Table 4

[0101] Second embodiment

[0102] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. A single stack of series coupled power switches S1 to S4 is coupled to a V IN As shown, the flying capacitor C1 is coupled between the switch pairs S1-S2 and S3-S4. The relatively small inductor L S The switch pair S2-S3 is coupled to a relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S The inductance of the relatively large inductor L is between 2 and 100 times. B Coupled to BI 2 Circuit 602. Bypass switch S BP With inductor L B When the bypass switch S BP When closed, the switch pair S2-S3 and BI 2 The inductance between circuit 602 is only L S , and when the bypass switch S BP When disconnected, the switch pair S2-S3 and BI 2 The inductance between the circuit 602 is L S +L B .

[0103] The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L S +L B (Bypass switch S BP Disconnect) and BI 2 Circuit 602. The presence of flying capacitor C1 allows the buck converter circuit system to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, the bypass switch S BP disconnect (thereby effectively preventing L B Influencing circuit), and switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B .

[0104] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L S (Bypass switch S BP Closed) and BI 2 Circuit 602. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S1 to S4 correspond to switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0105] It is worth noting that Figure 4A Compared with the implementation method, Figure 8 The embodiment of allows substantial sharing of components, with half the power switches (S1 to S4 compared to S1 to S8) and one less capacitor (no C2). Figure 4A Compared with the implementation method, the inductor L B and L S The series coupling allows the inductor L B With a smaller inductance (approximately L S The inductance of the inductor L B Can be physically Figure 4A The implementation of smaller components.

[0106] Table 5 below summarizes Figure 8 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0107] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4 C1 <![CDATA[L B +L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> CP S1-S4 C1 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> Shared components S1-S4 C1 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]>

[0108] Table 5

[0109] Modification of the Second Embodiment

[0110] Fig. 9is a schematic diagram of a variation of a second embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. The example shown allows for a two-phase charge pump when in CP mode. A dual parallel stack of series switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4' is coupled in parallel for V IN As shown, flying capacitors C1, C1' are coupled between switch pairs S1-S2 and S3-S4 and switch pairs S1'-S2' and S3'-S4', respectively. A relatively small inductor L S , L S ' are respectively coupled between the switch pairs S2-S3, S2'-S3' and the relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S The inductance of the relatively large inductor L is between 2 and 100 times. B Coupled to BI 2 Circuit 602. In some embodiments, a pair of small inductors L S , L S ' can be coupled to the inductor L B With two nodes L X and L X 'A single inductor L between S Instead, as in Figure 1A.

[0111] Bypass switch S BP With inductor L B When the bypass switch S BP When closed, the switch pairs S2-S3 and S2'-S3' are connected to BI 2 The inductance between the circuits 602 is only L S , L S '. When the bypass switch S BP When disconnected, the switch pairs S2-S3 and S2'-S3' are connected to BI 2 The inductances of the circuit 602 are L S +L B , L S '+L B .

[0112] The components constituting the BK circuit system include switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4', flying capacitors C1, C1', inductor L S +L B and L S '+L B (Bypass switch S BP Disconnect) and BI 2 Circuit 602. The presence of flying capacitors C1, C1' allows the BK circuit system to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, the bypass switch SBP The charge pump circuit system is disconnected (thus deactivating the charge pump circuit system), and the switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4' can be operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B, wherein the corresponding switches (S1 & S1', S2 & S2', S3 & S3', and S4 & S4') operate in unison, rather than in opposite phases as in the CP operating mode. Thus, during BK operation, the BK circuit system can effectively include two parallel branches operating simultaneously and in phase - that is, a dual-branch BK circuit configuration. Alternatively, when two separate sets of inductors L are used, S , L S ' and L B , L B '(L B 'Not shown), the BK circuit system can be operated out of phase (with only a single inductor L S In the implementation mode, the BK operation needs to run in phase).

[0113] The components constituting the CP circuit system include switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4', flying capacitors C1, C1', inductors L S , L S '(Bypass switch S BP Closed) and BI 2 Circuit 602. During CP operation, switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4' are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1A. Thus, corresponding switches (S1 & S1', S2 & S2', S3 & S3', and S4 & S4') are operated with opposite phasing. Alternatively, the switches may be operated in phase.

[0114] Table 6 below summarizes the following when using dual small inductors L S , L S 'hour, Fig. 9 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0115] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1-S4,S1'-S4' C1,C1' <![CDATA[L B +L S ,L B +L S ']]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> CP S1-S4,S1'-S4' C1,C1' <![CDATA[L S ,L S ']]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> Shared components S1-S4,S1'-S4' C1,C1' <![CDATA[L S ,L S ']]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]>

[0116] Table 6

[0117] Third embodiment

[0118] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. A first functional stack of series coupled power switches S1, S2, S3, and S6 is coupled in series for V IN The switches S1 and S6 are connected between the input terminal and the reference terminal of the second functional stack, and the second functional stack of series switches S1, S4, S5 and S6 is coupled between the input terminal and the reference terminal. Therefore, the switches S1 and S6 are shared between the two functional stacks.

[0119] As shown, the flying capacitor C1 is coupled between the shared switches S1 and S6. The relatively small inductor L S Coupled between switch pair S4-S5 and BI 1 circuit 402. A relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance) is coupled between the switch pair S2-S3 and BI 1 Between circuits 402.

[0120] The components that make up the BK circuit system include switches S1, S2, S3 and S6, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. The presence of flying capacitor C1 allows the buck converter circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S4-S5 are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switches S1, S2, S3, and S6 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B (switches S1, S2, S3, and S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1B).

[0121] The components that make up the CP circuit system include switches S1, S4, S5 and S6, flying capacitor C1, inductor L S and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. During CP operation, switches S2-S3 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S1, S4, S5, and S6 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S1, S4, S5, and S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0122] It is worth noting that Figure 4A Compared with the implementation method, Fig.10 The embodiment of allows substantial sharing of components, with two fewer power switches (S1 to S6 compared to S1 to S8) and one less capacitor (no C2). Figure 8 Compared with the embodiment of the present invention, the bypass switch S is omitted. BP Avoids the need to add low resistance inductor L S Add additional output resistors.

[0123] Although Fig.10 An embodiment is shown with capacitor C1 to achieve 3-level BK operation, but by setting switches S1 and S6 to always be on during BK operation or by combining switches S1 & S2 and switches S3 & S6 to always switch in unison during BK operation, capacitor C1 can be effectively bypassed to configure an embodiment for 2-level BK operation.

[0124] Table 7 below summarizes when 3-level BK operation can be supported. Fig.10 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0125] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1,S2,S3,S6 C1 <![CDATA[L B ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> CP S1,S4,S5,S6 C1 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> Shared components S1,S6 C1 – <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]>

[0126] Table 7

[0127] First Modification of the Third Embodiment

[0128] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of a first variation of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Fig.10 The circuit, inductor L B As shown by the inductor L S Coupling to BI 2 Circuit 602.

[0129] The components that make up the BK circuit system include switches S1, S2, S3, S6, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B +L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. The presence of flying capacitor C1 allows the buck converter circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S4-S5 are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry) and switches S1, S2, S3, S6 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B (switches S1, S2, S3, S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1B). Fig.10 Compared with the implementation method, the inductor L B and L S The series coupling allows the inductor L B With a smaller inductance (approximately L S The inductance of the inductor L B Can be physically Fig.10 The implementation of smaller components.

[0130] The components that make up the CP circuit system include switches S1, S4, S5, S6, flying capacitor C1, inductor L S and B.I. 2 Circuit 602. During CP operation, switches S2-S3 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry) and switches S1, S4, S5, S6 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S1, S4, S5, S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A).

[0131] Although Fig.11 An embodiment is shown with capacitor C1 to achieve 3-level BK operation, but by setting switches S1 and S6 to always be on during BK operation or by combining switches S1 & S2 and switches S3 & S6 to always switch in unison during BK operation, capacitor C1 can be effectively bypassed to configure an embodiment for 2-level BK operation.

[0132] Table 8 below summarizes when 3-level BK operation can be supported. Fig.11 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0133] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1,S2,S3,S6 C1 <![CDATA[L B +L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> CP S1,S4,S5,S6 C1 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]> Shared components S1,S6 C1 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 2 ]]>

[0134] Table 8

[0135] Second Modification of the Third Embodiment

[0136] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of a second variation of the third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Fig.10 In the circuit of FIG. 1 , two switches S7, S8 and a second flying capacitor C2 have been added to achieve 4-level BK operation. More specifically, as shown, switch S7 is placed for V IN The switch S8 is placed between the switch S6 and the reference terminal, and the capacitor C2 is coupled in series between the switches S7 and S8.

[0137] The components that make up the BK circuit system include switches S1, S2, S3, S6, S7 and S8, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductors L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. The presence of flying capacitors C1 and C2 allows the buck converter circuitry to be operated as a 4-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S4-S5 are disconnected (thereby deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switches S1, S2, S3, S6, S7, and S8 are operated in a known manner for a multi-level buck converter. A method of operating a multi-level power converter is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 560,767, filed on Dec. 23, 2021, and entitled Controlling Charge-Balance and Transients in a Multi-Level Power Converter, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and is incorporated herein by reference.

[0138] The components that make up the CP circuit system include switches S1, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, flying capacitors C1 and C2, inductors L S and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. In a first CP operating mode, switches S2-S3 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), switches S7 and S8 are closed, and switches S1, S4, S5, and S6 are operated as described above with respect to one phase of FIG. 1A (switches S1, S4, S5, and S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1A). The presence of flying capacitor C1 allows the CP circuitry to be operated as a 3-level (2:1) charge pump. In a second CP operating mode, switches S2-S3 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switches S1, S4 to S8 are operated in one of several possible known state sequences to balance all flying capacitors and provide a voltage at V SYS The presence of flying capacitors C1 and C2 allows the CP circuit system to be operated as a 4-level (3:1) charge pump. In general, as the level of the charge pump increases, the number of intermediate voltage states needs to increase to balance all flying capacitors.

[0139] Note that the addition of capacitor C2 to enable 4-level BK and CP operation allows the use of smaller capacitors for C1 and C2 as well as lower voltage switches because Fig.10 The voltage across any one switch is lower than that of the circuit configuration.

[0140] and Fig.10 and Fig.11 As with the embodiments of the present invention, lower level BK operation (e.g., 3-level or 2-level) can be achieved by setting various switches to always be turned on or in ganged operation to effectively bypass one or both of the flying capacitors C1 and C2. For example, 2-level operation can be achieved by setting switches S1&S7 and S6&S8 to always be turned on during BK operation or by combining switches S1&S2&S7 and switches S3&S6&S8 to always switch in unison during BK operation. Lower level CP operation can be achieved in the same manner.

[0141] Table 9 below summarizes when 4-level BK and CP operation can be supported. Fig.12 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0142] Configuration switch Capacitors Inductors BI Circuit BK S1,S2,S3,S6,S7,S8 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L B ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> CP S1,S4,S5,S6,S7,S8 C1,C2 <![CDATA[L S ]]> <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]> Shared components S1,S6,S7,S8 C1,C2 -– <![CDATA[BI 1 ]]>

[0143] Table 9

[0144] Third Modification of the Third Embodiment

[0145] Fig.13is a schematic diagram of a third variation of a third embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. Fig.10 The circuit shown in the example allows a two-phase charge pump when in CP mode.

[0146] A dual parallel stack of series switches S1, S4, S5, S6 and S1', S4', S5', S6' is coupled to the V IN As shown, flying capacitors C1, C1' are coupled between switch pairs S1 & S4 and S5 & S6 and switch pairs S1' & S4' and S5' & S6', respectively. A relatively small shared inductor L S Coupling in BI 1 Circuit 402 and switch pairs S4-S5 and S4'-S5'. Note that Fig. 9 In the example, two separate small inductors L S and L S ' can be used in alternative implementations of the circuit shown. Fig.10 In the case of a relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance) coupled to BI 1 Between circuit 402 and switch pair S2-S3.

[0147] The components that make up the BK circuit system include switches S1, S2, S3 and S6, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. The presence of the flying capacitor C1 allows the buck converter circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S4-S5, S4'-S5' are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switches S1, S2, S3 and S6 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B (switches S1, S2, S3 and S6 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1B).

[0148] The components constituting the two-phase CP circuit system include switches S1, S4, S5, S6 and S1', S4', S5', S6', flying capacitors C1, C1', inductors L S and B.I. 1Circuit 402. During CP operation, switches S1, S4, S5, S6 and S1', S4', S5', S6' are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1A (S1, S4, S5, S6 and S1', S4', S5', S6' are mapped to S1 to S4 and S1' to S4', respectively). Therefore, the corresponding switches (S1 & S1', S4 & S4', S4 & S4', and S6 & S6') are operated with opposite phasing.

[0149] Table 10 below summarizes Fig.13 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0150]

[0151] Table 10

[0152] Fourth embodiment

[0153] Fig.14 Schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. The example shown allows a two-phase charge pump when in CP mode, and dual shared flying capacitors when in BK mode. The use of dual shared flying capacitors results in a small voltage ripple at the output, which in turn allows the use of a lower voltage power switch.

[0154] A dual parallel stack of series coupled power switches S1 to S4, S5 to S8 is coupled at the V IN The series-coupled power switches S9 and S10 are coupled in parallel with the series-coupled switches S2 and S3, and the series-coupled power switches S11 and S12 are coupled in parallel with the series-coupled switches S6 and S7. As shown, the flying capacitor C1 is coupled in series between the switches S1 and S4, and the flying capacitor C2 is coupled in series between the switches S5 and S8. As shown, the relatively small inductor L S The two switch pairs S2-S3 and S6-S7 are coupled with BI 1 circuit 402. A relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance) is coupled between the two switch pairs S9-S10 and S11-S12 and BI 1 Between circuits 402.

[0155] In the example shown, the components constituting the BK circuit system basically form two parallel BK circuits. The components constituting the first parallel BK circuit system include switches S1, S9, S10 & S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L B and B.I. 1Circuit 402. The components constituting the second parallel BK circuit system include switches S5, S11, S12 & S8, flying capacitor C2, inductor L B and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. The presence of flying capacitors C1, C2 allows the parallel BK circuitry to be operated as a 3-level inductive buck converter. During BK operation, switches S2-S3 and S6-S7 are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switch groups S1, S9, S10 & S4 and S5, S11, S12 & S8 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B (each switch group S1, S9, S10 & S4 and S5, S11, S12 & S8 is mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1B).

[0156] In the example shown, the components constituting the CP circuit system essentially form two parallel CP circuits, which are generally operated in opposite phases (i.e., the CP circuit system can be operated as a two-phase charge pump). The components constituting the first phase CP circuit system include switches S1 to S4, flying capacitor C1, inductor L S and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. The components constituting the second phase CP circuit system include switches S5 to S8, flying capacitor C2, inductor L S and B.I. 1 Circuit 402. During CP operation, switches S9, S10, S11, and S12 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switch groups S1-S4 and S5-S8 are operated in a phase-interleaved manner as described above with respect to FIG. 1A (switches S5-S8 are mapped onto switches S1'-S4' of FIG. 1A).

[0157] Although Fig.14 The embodiment is shown as having two BK circuits in parallel, each with a corresponding capacitor C1, C2, thereby achieving 3-level BK operation, but for example, by combining switches S9&S11 and S10&S12 to always switch in unison during BK operation, the capacitors can be effectively bypassed to configure an embodiment for 2-level BK operation.

[0158] Table 11 below summarizes when 3-level BK operation can be supported. Fig.14 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0159]

[0160] Table 11

[0161] In some embodiments, it may be useful to separate the BK circuitry and the CP circuitry between two different IC chips. In such a case, it may be useful to add "mirror" switches S1', S5', S4', and S8' (shown by the dashed line connection) that are essentially grouped with corresponding switches S1, S5, S4, and S8. Thus, all switches for the BK circuitry (S1', S9, S10, S4 & S5', S11, S12, S8') can be manufactured on a first IC chip, while all switches for the CP circuitry (S1 to S4 & S5 to S8) can be manufactured on a second IC chip. Typically, capacitors C1, C2 and inductor L B , L S It can be an off-chip component, where capacitors C1, C2 are coupled to both the BK IC chip and the CP IC chip.

[0162] Fifth embodiment

[0163] Fig.15 is a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit suitable for use in a battery management circuit. The example shown allows for a two-phase charge pump when in CP mode, and a shared inductor when in BK mode.

[0164] A dual parallel stack of series coupled power switches S1 to S4, S1' to S2' is coupled at the V IN The first flying capacitor C1 is coupled in series between the switches S1 and S4, and the second flying capacitor C2 is coupled in series between the switches S1' and S4'. A relatively small inductor L S The two switch pairs S2-S3 and S2'-S3' are coupled with BI 2 circuit 602. Therefore, switches S1 to S4, S1' to S4', capacitors C1 and C2, and inductor L S Form a two-phase charge pump.

[0165] A set of series coupled power switches S5 to S8 are also coupled between the input terminal and the reference terminal, and a third flying capacitor C3 is coupled in series between the switches S5 and S8. B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance) is coupled between the switch pair S6-S7 and BI 2 Therefore, switches S5 to S8, capacitor C3 and inductor L B A 3-level buck converter is constructed.

[0166] With the inductor L B Compared with the implementation directly coupled to the output terminal, the inductor L B and LS The series coupling allows the inductor L B With a smaller inductance (approximately L S The inductance of the inductor L B There may be physically smaller components than in such an embodiment.

[0167] During BK operation, switches S1 to S4, S1 ' to S4' are open (thus deactivating the charge pump circuitry), and switches S5 to S8 are operated as described above with respect to FIG. 1B (switches S5 to S8 are mapped onto switches S1 to S4 of FIG. 1B).

[0168] During CP operation, switches S5 to S8 are open (thus deactivating the BK circuitry), and switch groups S1 to S4 and S1 ′ to S4 ′ are operated in a phase-interleaved manner as described above with respect to FIG. 1A .

[0169] Table 12 below summarizes Fig.15 The CP circuit system configuration and the BK circuit system configuration of the embodiment shown in .

[0170]

[0171] Table 12

[0172] Multi-level implementation

[0173] It should be clear from the above disclosure that the various example combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuits can be readily adapted for use in multi-phase charge pump circuits and / or multi-level buck converter circuits (e.g., 2-level, 3-level, 4-level, etc.). In various embodiments, the phrase "combined charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit" means that the combination of CP circuitry and BK circuitry can be distributed to one, two, or more IC chips that share components (switches, capacitors, inductors) that may be useful for a particular application. Since one or more components are shared between the CP circuitry and the BK circuitry, many embodiments provide a reduction in size (IC area) compared to conventional designs.

[0174] Fig.16 1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit 1600 suitable for use as a battery management system. In the example shown, BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b each include switches for implementing an N-level inductive buck converter, where N≥2. CP switch block 1604 includes switches for implementing an M-level adiabatic charge pump, where M≥3; the charge pump can be single-phase or dual-phase. BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b and CP switch block 1604 are coupled in parallel to a set of a sufficient number of shared flying capacitors CF To realize an N-level inductive buck converter and an M-level adiabatic charge pump (including a shared flying capacitor C F To support the selective phasing of the CP switch block 1604). As an example, N may be 5, resulting in the BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b being configured for each requiring 3 shared flying capacitors C F 5-level buck converter. Using a shared flying capacitor C F , the CP switch block 1604 can be configured as a 5-level charge pump, and therefore M=5. Note that Fig.14 yes Fig.16 An example where N=3 and M=3.

[0175] The output of the CP switch block 1604 is connected to the CP switch block 1604 through a relatively small inductor L S Coupling to BI 1 Circuit 402. The combined output of BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b is coupled to a relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance of the B Coupled to BI 1 Circuit 402.

[0176] Fig.17 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit 1700 suitable for use as a battery management system. Fig.16 In the circuit 1600 shown in FIG. 1 , the outputs of the BK switch blocks 1602 a and 1602 b and the CP switch block 1604 are coupled in different ways. In particular, the outputs of the BK switch blocks 1602 a and 1602 b are coupled to a relatively large inductor L B , the relatively large inductor L B is coupled to a relatively small inductor L S The output of the CP switch block 1604 is also coupled to the inductor L S , the inductor L S Coupled to BI 2 Circuit 602. Typically, when CP is operating, transistor M BAT is set to the closed (conducting) state.

[0177] Fig.18 is a schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit 1800 suitable for use as a battery management system. Fig.16 In the circuit 1600 shown in FIG. 1 , the flying capacitor C F And a small inductor L S and large inductor L BIn particular, the BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b and the CP switch block 1604 are coupled in parallel to a set of a sufficient number of shared flying capacitors C F To realize an N-level inductive buck converter. The CP switch block 1604 can be coupled in parallel to the same group of shared flying capacitors C F (or those flying capacitors C F ), and coupled to some number of series-connected flying capacitors C that are not shared with BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b Fs .in addition, Fig.16 The single large inductor L used in circuit 1600 B is shown as consisting of two smaller inductors L coupled in parallel B1 and L B2 Instead (note that the two inductors L B1 and L B2 The total inductance is still greater than the small inductor L S In some embodiments, the inductor L B1 and L B2 can be electromagnetically decoupled, and in other embodiments, the inductor L B1 and L B2 The illustrated architecture illustrates that embodiments of the present invention allow for great flexibility in selecting architectural details for a particular application. For example, N may be 3, resulting in BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b being configured for each requiring 1 shared flying capacitor C F 3-level buck converter. The non-shared flying capacitor C Fs In this case, the CP switch block 1604 can still be configured as a 5-level charge pump, and therefore M=5.

[0178] Dickson Charge Pump Implementation

[0179] Figures 16 to 18 The multi-level, multi-phase charge pump and inductive buck converter circuit shown in the can be adapted for use with other types of charge pumps, such as Dickson charge pumps. A Dickson charge pump can be characterized by the number of voltage levels M or by a conversion factor K (usually expressed as a ratio K:1). For example, a Dickson charge pump with a 4:1 conversion ratio (K=4) is a charge pump with five internal voltage levels (0V IN , 1 / 4V IN , 1 / 2V IN , 3 / 4V IN and 1V IN Combining a Dickson charge pump with a multi-level buck converter allows cooperative sharing of the flying capacitors and sometimes enables parallel operation.

[0180] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a prior art 4:1 dual-phase Dickson charge pump 1900. The charge pump 1900 shown includes a voltage source V coupled to the charge pump 1900. IN The dual parallel cells 1902a, 1902b are connected to a reference potential such as circuit ground. Each cell 1902a, 1902b includes a set of switches (typically, S x ) and a set of flying capacitors (generally, C x ), where each switch is coupled to one of the two phase-interleaved clock signals P1 or P2. Referring to unit 1902a, a subset of four switches S1, S2, S3, S8 are coupled in series to a first branch including two series-connected switches S4 and S5 and a second branch including two series-connected switches S6 and S7. Switch S1 is also coupled to V IN , and switches S5 and S7 are also coupled to the reference potential. Each switch may include, for example, one or more FETs, including one or more MOSFETs.

[0181] Referring again to cell 1902a, coupled between the first upper pair of alternating phase (P2, P1) switches S1, S2 and the first branch pair of alternating phase (P2, P1) switches S4, S5 is a first capacitor C1. Coupled between the second upper pair of alternating phase (P1, P2) switches S2, S3 and the second branch pair of alternating phase (P1, P2) switches S6, S7 is a second capacitor C2. Coupled between the third upper pair of alternating phase (P2, P1) switches S3, S8 and the first branch pair of alternating phase (P2, P1) switches S4, S5 is a third capacitor C3.

[0182] Unit 1902b is substantially identical (having similar switches and flying capacitors indicated by primes), except that the phasing of clock signals P1, P2 is complementary with respect to unit 1902a. Output nodes A, B of units 1902a, 1902b between switches S8, S6 and S8', S6', respectively, are coupled at output terminal TermVo, which will typically be coupled to an output capacitor (e.g., Fig.16 C BAT , Fig.17 C OUT ).

[0183] In this example, each unit 1902a, 1902b has three flying capacitors, and the output capacitor is coupled to TermVo. The Dickson charge pump 1900 provides V IN Divided into output voltage V O =1 / 4V INThe steady-state voltage across C1 and C1' will be 3V. O =3 / 4V IN The steady-state voltage across C2 and C2' will be 2V. O =1 / 2V IN The steady-state voltage across C3 and C3' will be 1V. O =1 / 4V IN The bottom of the flying capacitor will be at zero volts at some of the time.

[0184] The divide-by-4 Dickson charge pump 1900 of Figure 19 can be converted to a divide-by-3 (3:1) Dickson charge pump by removing the flying capacitors C3, C3' and switches S8, S8'. Dickson charge pumps with other division ratios are known in the art.

[0185] FIG20 is a schematic diagram of a prior art 5-level inductive buck converter 2000. The switch block 2002 includes an inductor L B The first terminal is used to receive the input voltage V IN The switches S1 to S4 are coupled in series between the terminals of the inductor L. The switches S5 to S8 are coupled in series between the terminals of the inductor L. B and a reference voltage, such as circuit ground. As shown, a flying capacitor C1 is coupled between the S1-S2 switch pair and the S5-S6 switch pair. As shown, a flying capacitor C2 is coupled between the S2-S3 switch pair and the S6-S7 switch pair. As shown, a flying capacitor C3 is coupled between the S3-S4 switch pair and the S7-S8 switch pair. An inductor L B The second terminal is coupled to provide an output voltage V O The output capacitor C OUT Coupled to the inductor L B The 3-level inductive buck converter shown in FIG. 1B can also be referred to.

[0186] Flying capacitors C1 to C3 are shown within the boundaries of the switch block 2002, but may be located externally relative to the switch block 2002. Two of the 5-level inductive buck converters 2000 may be used simultaneously, with phase-interleaved switching, to form a two-phase 5-level inductive BK. In operation, the 5-level inductive buck converter 2000 provides V at the LX node. IN down to any of five different voltages; pulse width modulation of the switching sequence regulates the average output to V O The steady-state average voltage across C1 will be 3V O =3 / 4V IN The steady-state average voltage across C2 will be 2V O =1 / 2V INThe steady-state average voltage across C3 will be 1V O =1 / 4V IN .

[0187] Thus, the flying capacitor voltage of the divide-by-4 ("4:1" or "5-level") dual-phase Dickson charge pump 1900 advantageously matches the flying capacitor voltage of the two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter, resulting in multiple synergistic benefits. Table 13 summarizes the steady-state average flying capacitor voltage of the single-phase Dickson charge pump and the single-phase 5-level inductive BK.

[0188]

[0189] Table 13

[0190] Therefore, use Fig.16 In the configuration shown in , all flying capacitors can be shared by the two-phase Dickson charge pump, and the two-phase inductive buck converter can share all flying capacitors, or shared by the two-phase Dickson charge pump and the single-phase inductive buck converter, or shared by the single-phase Dickson charge pump and the single-phase inductive buck converter. For example, Fig.21 Schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit 2100 based on a dual-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter. In the example shown, the BK switch blocks 2102a and 2102b each include switches for implementing a 5-level inductive buck converter, such as shown in FIG. 20. The CP switch block 2104 includes switches for implementing a 4-frequency Dickson charge pump, such as shown in FIG. 19. In the example shown, the Dickson charge pump is dual-phase and therefore will have two groups of flying capacitors: C1 to C3 and C1' to C3'. The BK switch block 2102a and the Dickson CP switch block 2104 are coupled in parallel to the shared flying capacitors C1 to C3 of the first group, and the BK switch block 2102b and the Dickson CP switch block 2104 are coupled in parallel to the shared flying capacitors C1' to C3' of the second group. The output of the Dickson CP switch block 1604 is connected to the power supply of the power supply through a relatively small inductor L S Coupling to BI 1 Circuit 402. The combined output of BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b is coupled to a relatively large inductor L B (For example, L S 2 to 100 times the inductance of the B Coupled to BI 1 Circuit 402.

[0191] Fig.21The power converter circuit 2100 can be operated in one mode at a time, either as a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter (BK switch blocks 2102a and 2102b active) or as a 4:1 dual-phase Dickson charge pump (Dickson CP switch block 2104 active). However, switching between the two modes preferably occurs when the shared flying capacitor voltage is at a common steady-state value (the flying capacitor voltage will fluctuate with load). Therefore, to avoid sudden changes in the flying capacitor voltage, the BK switch and the Dickson CP switch can be operated simultaneously to ensure charge balance on the shared flying capacitor, and then one set of switches or the other set of switches can be turned off.

[0192] use Fig.17 In the configuration shown in , the two-phase Dickson charge pump and the two-phase inductive buck converter can share all flying capacitors and inductors. For example, Fig. 22 Schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit 2200 based on a dual-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter. In the example shown, the BK switch blocks 2202a and 2202b each include switches for implementing a 5-level inductive buck converter, such as shown in FIG. 20. The CP switch block 2204 includes switches for implementing a 4-frequency Dickson charge pump, such as shown in FIG. 19. In the example shown, the Dickson charge pump is dual-phase and therefore will have two groups of flying capacitors: C1 to C3 and C1' to C3'. The BK switch block 2202a and the Dickson CP switch block 2204 are coupled in parallel to the shared flying capacitors C1 to C3 of the first group, and the BK switch block 2202b and the Dickson CP switch block 2204 are coupled in parallel to the shared flying capacitors C1' to C3' of the second group. In addition, the outputs of the BK switch blocks 1602a and 1602b are coupled to relatively large inductors L B , the inductor L B is coupled to a relatively small inductor L S The output of Dickson CP switch block 2204 is also coupled to the inductor L S , the inductor L S Coupled to BI 2 Circuit 602. Typically, when Dickson CP is operating, transistor M BAT is set to the closed (conducting) state.

[0193] Fig. 22The power converter circuit 2200 can be operated in one mode at a time, either as a two-phase 5-level inductive buck converter (BK switch blocks 2202a and 2202b active) or as a 4:1 dual-phase Dickson charge pump (Dickson CP switch block 2204 active). However, switching between the two modes preferably occurs when the shared flying capacitor voltage is at a common steady-state value (the flying capacitor voltage will fluctuate with load). Therefore, to avoid sudden changes in the flying capacitor voltage, the BK switch and the Dickson CP switch can be operated simultaneously to ensure charge balance on the shared flying capacitor, and then one set of switches or the other set of switches can be turned off.

[0194] 5-level BK is typically activated at the beginning and / or end of a battery charge cycle and during non-PPS operation (e.g. Figure 3B The 4:1 (5-level) Dickson CP is typically activated during the middle portion of the battery charging cycle (e.g. Figure 3B Zones Z4 to Z5 in are activated.

[0195] Fig.21 and Fig. 22 The architecture shown in can be scaled so that the level M of the two-phase inductive buck converter is typically 1 greater than the conversion factor K of the two-phase Dickson charge pump, allowing all flying capacitors to be shared. Therefore, for many such architectures, N=K+1, where K≥2 (see also Table 14 below). For example, if the two-phase Dickson charge pump is a 5:1 implementation (thus requiring two sets of 4 flying capacitors), then the 6-level two-phase inductive buck converter (requiring 4 flying capacitors per phase) will share two sets of four flying capacitors (i.e., a total of 8 flying capacitors).

[0196] use Fig.18 In the configuration shown in , the two-phase Dickson charge pump and the two-phase inductive buck converter can share some flying capacitors. For example, Fig.23 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of a charge pump and inductive buck power converter circuit 2300 based on a two-phase 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump and a two-phase 3-level inductive buck converter. The 3-level BK switch block will require a flying capacitor (see FIG. 1B ). As described above, the presence of a single flying capacitor enables four switch states to each be at node L. X One of three voltage levels is generated at the IN or V IN / 2 (in two different ways). Therefore, the steady-state voltage across a single flying capacitor is 1 / 2V IN, which matches the steady-state voltage across the flying capacitor C2 of the 4:1 (5-level) Dickson charge pump. Therefore, one flying capacitor can be shared between one phase of the 3-level inductive buck converter and one phase of the 4-level Dickson charge pump.

[0197] exist Fig.23 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of 3-level BK switch blocks 2302a and 2302b and a Dickson CP switch block 2304 are coupled in parallel to shared flying capacitors C2, C2' (each used as a single flying capacitor for the 3-level BK). In addition, the Dickson CP switch block 2304 is coupled to a pair of non-shared flying capacitors C1, C1' and C3, C3'. The output of the Dickson CP switch block 2304 is connected to the output of the relatively small inductor L S Coupling to BI 1 Circuit 402. In this example, as in Fig.18 middle, Fig.16 The single large inductor L used in circuit 1600 B is shown as being coupled to the respective outputs of a pair of 3-level BK switch blocks 2302a and 2302b and BI 1 The two smaller inductors L between the circuit 402 B1 and L B2 Instead (note that the two inductors L B1 and L B2 The total inductance is still greater than the small inductor L S In some embodiments, the inductor L B1 and L B2 can be electromagnetically decoupled, and in other embodiments, the inductor L B1 and L B2 can be electromagnetically coupled (as shown by dashed line 2306). In an alternative embodiment, a single large inductor L may be used B , as in Fig.16 In an alternative embodiment, the outputs of the Dickson CP switch block 2304 and a pair of 3-level BK switch blocks 2302a and 2302b can be coupled to the BI 2 Circuit, such as Fig. 22 middle.

[0198] Fig.23The power converter circuit 2300 can be operated in one mode at a time, either as a two-phase 3-level inductive buck converter (BK switch blocks 2302a and 2302b active) or as a 4:1 dual-phase Dickson charge pump (Dickson CP switch block 2304 active). However, switching between the two modes preferably occurs when the shared flying capacitor voltage is at a common steady-state value (the flying capacitor voltage will fluctuate with load). Therefore, to avoid sudden changes in the flying capacitor voltage, the BK switch and the Dickson CP switch can be operated simultaneously to ensure charge balance on the shared flying capacitor, and then one set of switches or the other set of switches can be turned off.

[0199] Fig.23 The architecture shown in can be scaled so that a full set or an appropriate subset of flying capacitors with matched steady-state voltages are shared between an N-level inductive buck converter and a K:1 Dickson charge pump, as long as N has a specific relationship to K. For example, Table 14 shows an example set of non-zero voltages associated with different N-level buck converters and a K:1 Dickson charge pump. An extension of the voltage pattern associated with N and K can be derived because any fractional voltage for an integer value of K has K as the denominator and an integer numerator from 1 to K-1.

[0200] N-level K factor (K:1) <![CDATA[Set of voltages (V IN fraction)]]> 3 2 1 / 2 4 3 1 / 3,2 / 3 5 4 1 / 4,2 / 4,3 / 4 6 5 1 / 5,2 / 5,3 / 5,4 / 5, 7 6 1 / 6,2 / 6,3 / 6,4 / 6,5 / 6

[0201] Table 14

[0202] It should be clear that the complete set of flying capacitors can be shared between an N-level buck converter and a K:1 Dickson charge pump when the associated set of voltages is shared - ie, when N=K+1, where K≥2.

[0203] In addition, when some values ​​in the associated voltage set are shared, a subset of flying capacitors can be shared between an N-level inductive buck converter and a K:1 Dickson charge pump. For example, in Table 14, a value equal to 1 / 2 (1 / 2, 2 / 4, 3 / 6) is bolded to indicate that the corresponding N-level inductive buck converter and the K:1 Dickson charge pump can share at least one flying capacitor. Thus, for example, a 3-level inductive buck converter can share a flying capacitor with a 2:1, 4:1, and 6:1 Dickson charge pump. Similarly, a 2:1 Dickson charge pump can share a flying capacitor with a 3-level, 5-level, and 7-level inductive buck converter.

[0204] Table 15 shows other examples of N-level inductive buck converters that can share at least one flying capacitor with one or more K:1 Dickson charge pumps.

[0205] N-level K Factor with Shared Flying Capacitor 3 2:1,4:1,6:1… 4 3:1,6:1,9:1… 5 4:1,8:1,12:1…

[0206] Table 15

[0207] More generally, any N-level inductive buck converter can share a flying capacitor with any K:1 Dickson charge pump, where K is a positive integer multiple of N-1: K=i(N-1), where i≥ 1. For example, for N=6, possible Dickson charge pump conversion factors are 5:1, 10:1, 15:1, etc.

[0208] Table 16 shows other examples of a K:1 Dickson charge pump that can share at least one flying capacitor with one or more N-level inductive buck converters.

[0209] K Factor N-level with shared flying capacitor 2 3L,5L,7L… 3 4L,7L,10L… 4 5L,9L,13L…

[0210] Table 16

[0211] More generally, any K:1 Dickson charge pump can share a flying capacitor with any N-level inductive buck converter, where N is greater than a positive integer multiple of N by 1: N=iK+1, where i≥1. For example, for K=5, possible values ​​of N are 6L, 11L, 16L, etc.

[0212] A conventional charge pump outputs the charge directly to the output capacitor C OUT , without causing current to flow through the inductor L S In other words, through the inductor L S To the output capacitor C OUT A charge pump that provides charge forms a hybrid power converter. S Compared with conventional switch mode power supplies, such charge pumps (including Dickson charge pumps) have a significant impact on the inductor L. S Node LX (see Figure 21 to Figure 23 ) have different voltage and current waveforms.

[0213] For example, Figure 24 shows a set of example graphs 2400 of output voltage and current of a conventional switch mode power supply over time. While the voltage is essentially a square wave, the current has a triangular waveform.

[0214] In contrast, Fig.25 shows that through the inductor L S To the output capacitor C OUT A set of example graphs 2500 of the output voltage and current of a charge pump providing charge as a function of time. The voltage periodically rises suddenly (shown by the dashed line) to a maximum value and then drops linearly to a minimum value before repeating. S Due to the existence of , the corresponding current presents a "hump" waveform similar to a rectified sine wave.

[0215] In some embodiments, the output inductor L of the charge pump is measured.S The current may be useful. Fig.26 26 is a block diagram of a charge pump system 2600 including an output current sensing circuit 2602. The output of the charge pump 2604 is coupled to the output capacitor C via the node LX through the inductor 2604. OUT The current sensing circuit 2602 utilizes the principle of inductor DC resistance (DCR) current sensing, which uses the inherent parasitic resistance of the inductor winding to measure the current. In the example shown, the inductor 2604 is depicted as being connected to the inductor winding L. S The equivalent series resistance R of the series coupling DC .

[0216] The current sensing circuit 2602 includes an RC (resistor-capacitor) circuit coupled in parallel with the inductor 2604 and thus with the parasitic resistor R DC The RC circuit of the current sensing circuit 2602 includes a sensing capacitor C S The series coupled sense resistor R S . Capacitor C S The voltage across the terminals is measured by a comparator 2606 (eg, an operational amplifier) ​​having a capacitor coupled to a sensing capacitor C S The first terminal of the first plate is coupled to the sensing capacitor C S The output V of the comparator 2606 is SENSE can be coupled to control circuitry 2608, which can be implemented as Figure 2A and Figure 2B A portion of the controller 222 is shown in FIG.

[0217] With proper component selection (e.g., R S *C S =L S / R DC ), by V SENSE Capacitor C S The voltage measured across the inductor winding L S The current is proportional to the S and C S The time constant of L S / R DC The time constant (although the individual components R S and R DC Does not have to match and C S and L S do not have to be matched). Equal time constants provide the representation of the S However, slower time constants (for example, RS and CS are greater than L S / R DC ) provides through the inductor L S In some applications that require high accuracy, R S and R DC temperature coefficients so that their actual values ​​track with temperature.

[0218] The output V of comparator 2606 SENSE It can be used, for example, to determine and set the operating frequency of the charge pump 2604 by connecting the control signal line 2610. SENSE Other uses may include output current sensing for fault protection and for providing general telemetry capability for charge pump 2604.

[0219] Some embodiments may optionally include a parallel low power buck converter 224 for reverse power flow in low power operation. Fig. 27 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example battery management system 2700. The battery management system 2700 is similar in most respects to the battery management system 200 shown in FIG. 2, but includes a combined charge pump and inductive buck converter 2702 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The battery management system 2700 also includes an optional low power reverse buck converter 2702 that is connected to the battery 206 and is configured to selectively provide power from the battery 206 to the internal wireless interface 210b via a switch 2706. The wireless interface 210b can be configured to operate in the opposite direction, for example, to power or charge a magnetically coupled device 2710 (e.g., a headset, a battery case, a cellular phone, etc.) that is connected to an instance of an external wireless interface 2712 (e.g., a magnetic coil). In an alternative embodiment, the combined charge pump and inductive buck converter 2702 can be like Figure 2B 1 and 2. The battery management system 200 is configured as in the second example battery management system 200' shown in FIG.

[0220] Circuit Implementation

[0221] It should be noted that while the above description and examples focus on adiabatic charge pumps, the sharing of components (e.g., switches and / or flying capacitors) can be used in conjunction with non-adiabatic charge pumps that lack an output inductor. Thus, an output inductor may need to be used with the example charge pump only when adiabatic operation is desired.

[0222] In some applications, some of the power switches (e.g., Figure 4A The switches S1 to S2 and S5 to S6 in the circuit can be used as load switches. Generally, the USB protocol may require the use of a load switch, which is a load switch that disconnects the input voltage V INThe load switch may be implemented as a bidirectional switch, for example, so that it may be able to stop power in the forward direction and / or the reverse direction. A typical MOSFET may have a body diode connected in parallel with it. Therefore, to prevent this body diode from conducting, it may be useful to connect two switches in series with the body diodes of the switches pointing towards each other or away from each other (i.e., in opposite directions).

[0223] It should be understood that other types of battery interface circuits may be used in conjunction with embodiments of the present invention, and thus the present invention is not limited to Fig.21 and Fig. 22 The battery interface circuit shown in .

[0224] Circuits and devices according to the present invention can be used alone or in combination with other components, circuits and devices. Embodiments of the present invention can be manufactured as integrated circuits (ICs), which can be encapsulated in IC packages and / or modules for ease of processing, manufacturing and / or improved performance. In particular, IC embodiments of the present invention are typically used in modules, in which one or more of such ICs are combined with other circuit components or blocks (e.g., filters, amplifiers, passive components and possible additional ICs) into a package. Then, typically, ICs and / or modules are often combined with other components on a printed circuit board to form a part of a final product such as a cellular phone, a laptop computer or an electronic tablet, or to form a higher-level module that can be used in a variety of products such as vehicles, test equipment, medical devices, etc. Through various configurations of modules and components, such ICs typically implement a communication mode, typically wireless communication.

[0225] As an example of further integration of embodiments of the present invention with other components, Fig.28 2800, which may be, for example, a printed circuit board or a chip module substrate (e.g., a thin film block). In the example shown, substrate 2800 includes a plurality of ICs 2802a to 2802d having terminal pads 2804 that are interconnected by traces and / or conductive vias on and / or within substrate 2800 or on an opposite (back) surface of substrate 2800 (to avoid clutter, surface conductive traces are not shown and not all terminal pads are labeled). ICs 2802a to 2802d may include, for example, signal switches, active and / or passive filters, amplifiers (including one or more LNAs), and other circuitry. For example, IC 2802b may include a similar Figure 4A , Figure 5 , Fig. 6A , Figures 7 to 18 , Figure 21 to Figure 23 and / or Fig.26 One or more examples of circuits of the type shown in FIG.

[0226] The substrate 2800 may also include one or more passive devices 2806 embedded in, formed on, and / or attached to the substrate 2800. Although shown as a generally rectangular shape, the passive device 2806 may be, for example, a filter, a capacitor, an inductor, a transmission line, a resistor, a planar antenna element, a transducer (including, for example, a MEMS-based transducer such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a microphone, a pressure sensor, etc.), a battery, etc., which is interconnected with other passive devices 2806 and / or individual ICs 2802a to 2802d through conductive traces on or in the substrate 2800. The front or back surface of the substrate 2800 may be used as a location for other structure formation.

[0227] method

[0228] Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for converting voltage. For example, Fig.29 2900 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method for converting a first voltage to a second voltage. The method includes: providing an adiabatic charge pump circuit configured to convert the first voltage to the second voltage (block 2902); providing an inductive buck converter circuit configured to convert the first voltage to the second voltage (block 2904); sharing a battery interface circuit and at least one of: (1) a power switch coupled to a first voltage and a power switch coupled to a reference potential, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) a first inductor between the adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit (block 2906); deactivating the adiabatic charge pump circuit and activating the inductive buck converter circuit in a first operating mode (block 2908); and activating the adiabatic charge pump circuit and deactivating the inductive buck converter circuit in a second operating mode (block 2910).

[0229] System

[0230] Embodiments of the present invention are useful in a wide variety of larger radio frequency (RF) circuits and systems for performing a range of functions, including (but not limited to) impedance matching circuits, RF power amplifiers, RF low noise amplifiers (LNAs), phase shifters, attenuators, antenna beam control systems, charge pump devices, RF switches, etc. Such functions are useful in a variety of applications, such as radar systems (including phased array and automotive radar systems), radio systems (including cellular radio systems), and test equipment.

[0231] Radio system uses include wireless RF systems (including base stations, relay stations, and handheld transceivers) using various technologies and protocols, including various types of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing ("OFDM"), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation ("QAM"), Code Division Multiple Access ("CDMA"), Time Division Multiple Access ("TDMA"), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access ("W-CDMA"), Global System for Mobile Communications ("GSM"), Long Term Evolution ("LTE"), 5G New Radio, 6G and WiFi (e.g., 802.11a, b, g, ac, ax, be) protocols, as well as other radio communication standards and protocols.

[0232] As discussed above, the present invention improves efficiency by sharing components between adiabatic charge pump circuitry and inductive buck converter circuitry, and in many embodiments reduces IC chip area. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, system architecture is beneficially impacted by the present invention in key aspects, including smaller size, lower power, and longer battery life.

[0233] Manufacturing technology and selection

[0234] The term "MOSFET" as used in the present disclosure includes any field effect transistor (FET) having an insulated gate whose voltage determines the conductivity of the transistor, and includes insulated gates having metal or metalloid, insulator and / or semiconductor structures. The terms "metal" or "metalloid" include at least one conductive material (e.g., aluminum, copper or other metal or highly doped polysilicon, graphene or other electrical conductors), "insulator" includes at least one insulating material (e.g., silicon oxide or other dielectric material), and "semiconductor" includes at least one semiconductor material.

[0235] As used in this disclosure, the term "radio frequency" (RF) refers to oscillation rates in the range of about 3 kHz to about 300 GHz. The term also includes frequencies used in wireless communication systems. RF frequencies can be the frequency of electromagnetic waves, or can be the frequency of an alternating voltage or current in an electrical circuit.

[0236] Various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented to meet a variety of specifications. Unless otherwise specified above, the selection of suitable component values ​​is a matter of design choice. Various embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in any suitable integrated circuit (IC) technology (including but not limited to MOSFET structure), or in a hybrid circuit form or a discrete circuit form. Integrated circuit implementations can be manufactured using any suitable substrate and process, including but not limited to standard bulk silicon, high resistivity bulk CMOS, silicon on insulator (SOI) and silicon on sapphire (SOS). Unless otherwise specified above, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using 2-D, 2.5-D and 3-D structures with other transistor technologies, such as bipolar junction transistors (BJT), BiCMOS, LDMOS, BCD, GaAs HBT, GaN HEMT, GaAs pHEMT, MESFET, InP HBT, InP HEMT, FinFET, GAAFET and SiC-based power device technology. However, embodiments of the present invention are particularly useful when manufactured using a process based on SOI or SOS, or when manufactured using a process with similar characteristics. Fabrication in CMOS using SOI or SOS processes enables circuits with low power consumption, the ability to withstand high power signals during operation due to the FET stacking, good linearity, and high frequency operation (i.e., RF up to and beyond 300 GHz). Monolithic IC implementations are particularly useful because parasitic capacitances can generally be kept low (or at least consistent across all cells, allowing them to be compensated) by careful design.

[0237] Depending on the particular specifications and / or implementation technology (e.g., NMOS, PMOS, or CMOS, and enhancement or depletion mode transistor devices), voltage levels may be adjusted, and / or voltage and / or logic signal polarity may be inverted. Component voltage, current, and power handling capabilities may be adjusted as needed, for example, by adjusting device size, "stacking" components in series (particularly FETs) to withstand greater voltages, and / or using multiple components in parallel to handle greater currents. Additional circuit components may be added to enhance the capabilities of the disclosed circuits and / or to provide additional functionality without significantly changing the functionality of the disclosed circuits.

[0238] in conclusion

[0239] A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. It should be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, some of the steps described above may be sequence independent and therefore may be performed in a sequence different from that described. In addition, some of the steps described above may be optional. The various activities described with respect to the above identified methods may be performed in a repetitive, serial and / or parallel manner.

[0240] It should be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims, and other embodiments are within the scope of the claims. In particular, the scope of the invention includes any and all feasible combinations of one or more of the processes, machines, manufactures, or compositions of matter set forth in the appended claims. (Note that parenthetical markings of claim elements are for convenience of reference to such elements and do not in themselves indicate a specific required order or enumeration of the elements; furthermore, such markings may be repeated in dependent claims as references to additional elements, but are not considered to begin a conflicting marking sequence).

Claims

1. A power converter circuit, comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and Wherein, the adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and at least one of: (1) a power switch coupled to the first terminal and a power switch coupled to the third terminal, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) the first inductor.

2. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit.

3. The power converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

4. The power converter circuit according to claim 2, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

5. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit through a first inductor, the adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first flying capacitor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor, the inductive buck converter circuit comprising a second flying capacitor coupled in parallel with the first flying capacitor; and wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and the first flying capacitor and the second flying capacitor.

6. The power converter circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

7. The power converter circuit according to claim 5, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

8. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit through a first inductor, the adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first flying capacitor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor coupled in series with the first inductor, the inductive buck converter circuit comprising a second flying capacitor; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and the first inductor.

9. The power converter circuit according to claim 8, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

10. The power converter circuit according to claim 8, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

11. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit through a first inductor, the adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first flying capacitor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor coupled in series with the first inductor, the inductive buck converter circuit comprising a second flying capacitor coupled in parallel with the first flying capacitor; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit, the first flying capacitor, the second flying capacitor and the first inductor.

12. The power converter circuit according to claim 11, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

13. The power converter circuit according to claim 11, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

14. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) a first inductor coupled to the battery interface circuit; (f) a bypass switch coupled in parallel with the first inductor; (g) a second inductor, the second inductor being coupled in series with the first inductor; as well as (h) a combination circuit coupled to the second inductor and coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential, the combination circuit comprising a group of power switches coupled in series and a flying capacitor coupled to the group of power switches, the combination circuit being configurable as an adiabatic charge pump circuit or an inductive buck converter circuit; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the bypass switch is closed and the combined circuit is operable as an adiabatic charge pump circuit; wherein, in a second operation mode of the power converter circuit, the bypass switch is open and the combined circuit is operable as an inductive buck converter circuit; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit, the set of power switches, the flying capacitor and the second inductor.

15. The power converter circuit of claim 14, wherein: The first inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the second inductor.

16. The power converter circuit of claim 14, wherein: The first inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the second inductor.

17. The power converter circuit of claim 14, wherein: In the first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is configured as a two-phase adiabatic charge pump circuit, and wherein, in the second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the inductive buck converter circuit is configured as a dual-branch inductive buck converter circuit.

18. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first switch coupled to the first terminal and a second switch coupled to the reference potential, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal via the first switch, coupled to the reference potential via the second switch, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor; as well as (g) a first flying capacitor coupled between the first switch and the second switch; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit, the first flying capacitor, and the first switch and the second switch.

19. The power converter circuit of claim 18, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

20. The power converter circuit of claim 18, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

21. The power converter circuit of claim 18, wherein: In the second operation mode of the power converter circuit, the inductive buck converter circuit is configured as a two-level inductive buck converter circuit.

22. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) an adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first switch coupled to the first terminal and a second switch coupled to the reference potential, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal through the first switch and to the reference potential through the second switch, and coupled to the battery interface circuit through a second inductor coupled in series with the first inductor; as well as (g) a first flying capacitor coupled between the first switch and the second switch; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit, the first flying capacitor, the first switch, the second switch, and the first inductor.

23. The power converter circuit of claim 22, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

24. The power converter circuit of claim 22, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

25. The power converter circuit of claim 22, further comprising: (a) a complementary adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a third switch coupled to the first terminal and a fourth switch coupled to the reference potential, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via the first inductor; as well as (b) a second flying capacitor coupled between the third switch and the fourth switch; Wherein, in the first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the complementary adiabatic charge pump circuit operates with a different phase than the adiabatic charge pump circuit.

26. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) a first adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a first switch coupled to the first terminal and a second switch coupled to the reference potential, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; (f) a second adiabatic charge pump circuit comprising a third switch coupled to the first terminal and a fourth switch coupled to the reference potential, and coupled to the battery interface circuit through the first inductor; (g) a first inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal via the first switch and to the reference potential via the second switch, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor coupled in series with the first inductor; (h) a second inductive buck converter circuit, the second inductive buck converter circuit being coupled to the first terminal via the third switch and to the reference potential via the fourth switch, and coupled to the battery interface circuit via the second inductor; (i) a first flying capacitor coupled between the first switch and the second switch; as well as (j) a second flying capacitor coupled between the third switch and the fourth switch; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit, the first flying capacitor and the second flying capacitor, the first switch and the second switch, and the third switch and the fourth switch.

27. The power converter circuit of claim 26, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

28. The power converter circuit of claim 26, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

29. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) a battery interface circuit coupled to the second terminal and configured to be coupled to the reference potential; (e) a two-phase adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a first inductor; as well as (f) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential and coupled to the battery interface circuit via a second inductor coupled in series with the first inductor; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and The adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share the battery interface circuit and the first inductor.

30. The power converter circuit of claim 29, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

31. The power converter circuit of claim 29, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

32. A battery management system comprising: (a) a first terminal configured to receive a first voltage through at least one of a wired power transmission path or a wireless power transmission path; (b) an adiabatic charge pump circuit coupled to the first terminal and a reference potential and comprising a first inductor; (c) an inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the reference potential and comprising a second inductor; (d) a switch coupled to the second inductor; as well as (e) a node configured to be coupled to a battery and to the first inductor and the switch; wherein, in a first operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is deactivated and the inductive buck converter circuit is activated; wherein, in a second operating mode of the power converter circuit, the adiabatic charge pump circuit is activated and the inductive buck converter circuit is deactivated; and Wherein, the adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit share at least one of: (1) a power switch coupled to the first terminal and a power switch coupled to a reference potential, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) the first inductor.

33. A battery management system comprising: (a) a first terminal configured to receive a first voltage through at least one of a wired power transmission path or a wireless power transmission path; (b) a second terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (c) a first inductor; (d) a second inductor; (e) a dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the first inductor; (f) a first N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (g) a second N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (h) a first set of flying capacitors, the first set of flying capacitors being shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the first N-level inductive buck converter circuit; (i) a second set of flying capacitors, the second set of flying capacitors being shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the second N-level inductive buck converter circuit; as well as (j) A battery interface coupled to the first inductor and the second inductor and configured to charge a battery and output a system voltage.

34. A power converter circuit according to claim 33, wherein: N=K+1.

35. The power converter circuit of claim 33, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

36. The power converter circuit of claim 33, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

37. A battery management system comprising: (a) a first terminal configured to receive a first voltage through at least one of a wired power transmission path or a wireless power transmission path; (b) a second terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (c) a first inductor; (d) a second inductor, the second inductor being coupled in series with the first inductor; (e) a dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the first inductor; (f) a first N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (g) a second N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (h) a first set of flying capacitors, the first set of flying capacitors being shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the first N-level inductive buck converter circuit; (i) a second set of flying capacitors, the second set of flying capacitors being shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the second N-level inductive buck converter circuit; as well as (j) a battery interface coupled to the first inductor and configured to charge a battery and output a system voltage.

38. The power converter circuit of claim 37, wherein: N=K+1.

39. The power converter circuit of claim 37, wherein: The second inductor has a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

40. The power converter circuit of claim 37, wherein: The second inductor has an inductance greater than about 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

41. A battery management system comprising: (a) a first terminal configured to receive a first voltage through at least one of a wired power transmission path or a wireless power transmission path; (b) a second terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (c) a first inductor; (d) a second inductor and a third inductor; (e) a dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the first inductor; (f) a first N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (g) a second N-level inductive buck converter circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to output a voltage through the second inductor; (h) a first set of flying capacitors, wherein an appropriate subset of the first set of flying capacitors is shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the first N-level inductive buck converter circuit; (i) a second set of flying capacitors, wherein an appropriate subset of the second set of flying capacitors is shared between the dual-phase K:1 Dickson charge pump circuit and the second N-level inductive buck converter circuit; and (j) a battery interface coupled to the first inductor and the second and third inductors and configured to charge a battery and output a system voltage.

42. The battery management system according to claim 41, wherein: K=i(N-1), where i is an integer ≥1.

43. The battery management system according to claim 41, wherein: N=iK+1, where i is an integer ≥1.

44. The battery management system according to claim 41, wherein: The second inductor and the third inductor are electromagnetically coupled.

45. The battery management system according to claim 41, wherein: The second inductor and the third inductor combined have a significantly greater inductance than the first inductor.

46. ​​The battery management system according to claim 41, wherein: The second inductor and the third inductor combined have an inductance greater than approximately 2 times the inductance of the first inductor.

47. A power converter circuit comprising: (a) a first terminal, the first terminal being configured to receive a first voltage; (b) a second terminal, the second terminal being used to provide a second voltage; (c) a third terminal configured to be coupled to a reference potential; (d) an inductor having an equivalent series resistance R DC ; (e) a charge pump circuit coupled between the first terminal and the reference potential, the charge pump circuit comprising at least one flying capacitor and having an output coupled in series with the inductor; as well as (f) a current sensing circuit, comprising: (1) a resistor-capacitor circuit coupled in parallel with the inductor, the resistor-capacitor circuit comprising a sense resistor coupled in series with a sense capacitor; and (2) a comparator having a first terminal coupled to the first plate of the sensing capacitor and a second terminal coupled to the second plate of the sensing capacitor, and configured to output a signal representative of a voltage measured across the sensing capacitor that is proportional to a current through the inductor; Wherein, the inductor is configured to assist in charging and discharging the at least one flying capacitor of the charge pump circuit.

48. A power converter circuit according to claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit outputs a voltage that periodically rises suddenly to a maximum value and then drops linearly to a minimum value before repeating.

49. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit comprises: (a) a first set of switches coupled in series, the first set of switches comprising at least two switches coupled between the first terminal and the inductor; (b) a second set of switches coupled in series, the second set of switches comprising at least two switches coupled between the third terminal and the inductor; and (c) at least one flying capacitor, each flying capacitor coupled between a pair of associated switches in the first set of switches and between a pair of associated switches in the second set of switches.

50. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit includes a 2:1 charge pump.

51. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit includes a 3:1 charge pump.

52. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit includes a 4:1 charge pump.

53. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit includes a Dickson charge pump.

54. The power converter circuit of claim 47, wherein: The charge pump circuit includes a K-level dual-phase charge pump.

55. A method for converting a first voltage into a second voltage, comprising: (a) providing an adiabatic charge pump circuit configured to convert the first voltage to the second voltage; (b) providing an inductive buck converter circuit configured to convert the first voltage into the second voltage; (c) sharing a battery interface circuit and at least one of: (1) a power switch coupled to the first voltage and a power switch coupled to a reference potential, (2) at least one flying capacitor, or (3) a first inductor between the adiabatic charge pump circuit and the inductive buck converter circuit; (d) deactivating the adiabatic charge pump circuit and activating the inductive buck converter circuit in a first operating mode; as well as (e) activating the adiabatic charge pump circuit and deactivating the inductive buck converter circuit in a second operating mode.

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