Transformer which uses bi-directional synchronous rectification to

Abstract

The present invention provides a transformer which uses bi-directional syronous rectification to transform the voltage of an input signal from one voltage level to another. The invention provides a transformer which requires less core volume, and hence mass, than conventional transformers, and includes a rectifier for transforming a first time varying input signal, such as a sinusoid or saw tooth signal, into a full-wave rectified voltage signal. A synchronous switch control generates first and second control signals in response to sampling the first time varying voltage signal. A floating drive buffer generates third control signals in response to receiving the second control signals. An AC switching stage transforms the full-wave rectified voltage signal into a first and second series of voltage pulses in response to receiving the first control signals. Each of the first and second series of voltage pulses has a pulse period, T, and a pulse width, .omega.. The first and second series of voltage pulses have amplitudes generally corresponding to the amplitude of the first time varying voltage signal. In response to receiving the second control signals, a bi-directional synchronous rectifier transforms the first and second series of voltage pulses into a third series of voltage pulses having time varying amplitudes generally corresponding to the amplitude of the first time varying voltage signal, a pulse period T/2, and a pulse width, .omega.. A low pass smoothing filter transforms the third series of voltage pulses into a second time varying analog voltage signal.