Coupled inductors broaden DC/DC converter usage

Recently, inductor manufacturers have begun to release off-the-shelf coupled inductors. Consisting of two separate inductors wound on the same core, coupled inductors typically come in a package with the same length and width as that of a single inductor of the same inductance value, only slightly taller. The price of a coupled inductor is also typically much less than the price of two single inductors. The windings of the coupled inductor can be connected in series, in parallel, or as a transformer. This article highlights four DC/DC converter topologies that meet common application needs with coupled inductors.