US Patent 10476390 High efficiency multi-level buck-boost converter

A power converter for converting an input voltage at an input port into an output voltage at an output port of the power converter is described. The power converter comprises an inductor having a first inductor port and a second inductor port, wherein the second inductor port is coupled to the output port. Furthermore, the power converter comprises a flying capacitor having a first capacitor port and a second capacitor port, and a switching cell. In addition, the power converter comprises a control unit to operate the switching cell in a first sequence of operation phases to perform step-up conversion; and in a second sequence of operation phases to perform step-down conversion.