Dual-path hybrid DC-DC converters can reduce inductor DC current and improve efficiency, but spike currents make passive component reduction difficult when switching frequency is limited. This paper proposes an always-dual-path hybrid (ADPH) DC-DC converter with soft charging using a sub-inductor for high efficiency with reduced passive components. In the measurement, the proposed ADPH converter with the sub-inductor has a 2.3 % improvement in peak efficiency at 8 AOUT full load while having a smaller area/volume than a conventional buck converter.
