Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallA Fly-Buck converter adapts a synchronous buck regulator to create one or more isolated bias rails: a coupled inductor or transformer replaces the buck’s output inductor, and secondary windings are rectified and filtered. It can be a compact, relatively simple choice for low-power auxiliary supplies, but its isolated outputs are passively regulated and can vary with load, duty cycle, and component parasitics. Designing one means checking the full input and load range, current limits, magnetic construction, and isolation requirements—not just choosing a turns ratio.
How a Fly-Buck converter makes isolated rails
Texas Instruments describes the topology in AN-2292 as replacing a synchronous buck’s output inductor with a coupled inductor or flyback-type transformer, then rectifying and filtering the secondary winding. In operation, the buck controller regulates the primary-side output in the familiar way. The magnetic component couples switching energy to its secondary winding or windings, where a rectifier and output capacitor produce isolated DC rails.
For a first-pass estimate, the secondary voltage follows the primary output voltage scaled by the secondary-to-primary turns ratio, minus the secondary rectifier’s forward drop. The actual output also depends on winding resistance, leakage inductance, switch impedance, load current, and operating conditions. Treat the turns-ratio calculation as a starting point, not a promise of tight regulation.
Multiple secondary windings can provide additional isolated rails. Each needs an appropriate turns ratio, rectifier, and output capacitor; output polarity depends on winding orientation and rectification. TI’s example uses a center-tapped secondary to produce isolated ±12 V rails, while AN-2292 presents a two-output design. Those are examples rather than standard outputs guaranteed by the topology.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
When a Fly-Buck is a good fit
Fly-Buck converters are primarily worth considering when a design needs low-power isolated bias rails and can tolerate the regulation behavior of secondary outputs that are not independently controlled. TI identifies industrial automation, building infrastructure, telecom, medical equipment, and test and measurement as potential application areas. That does not establish suitability for every product in those markets: the specific design still has to meet its power, regulation, safety, and EMC requirements.
Compared with a flyback, discrete transformer-driver, or push-pull implementation, a Fly-Buck may simplify some low-power designs by using a buck regulator and avoiding an optocoupler or dedicated secondary feedback. The trade-off is that secondary rails are passively regulated from primary-side control. Compare candidate topologies against the actual requirements:
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Required output power and current on every rail.
- Input-voltage range, startup behavior, and input transients.
- Number and polarity of rails, and their permitted regulation error.
- Whether cross-regulation is acceptable or independent secondary feedback is necessary.
- Switch and magnetics current limits, thermal conditions, and component availability.
- Isolation grade, PCB spacing, EMC, and surge-protection requirements.
How to design the converter
1. Write down the rail and operating requirements
Record the complete input range, primary output, each isolated output’s voltage and polarity, load current, allowable regulation, startup and transient conditions, switching-frequency constraints, thermal environment, and required isolation. These determine whether the topology is appropriate and which regulator and magnetic component can work.
TI’s examples include an LM5160A design generating isolated ±12 V rails and an LM5017-based two-output design. The LM5160A ratings cited for that example are 65 V input and 1.5 A; they describe that IC, not a Fly-Buck-wide input or output limit. Check the current datasheet and lifecycle status of any selected device before committing to a design.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
2. Choose turns ratios and check duty cycle
Use the primary voltage, secondary-to-primary turns ratio, and rectifier forward drop to estimate each rail. Then account for winding and switch drops under load. Check the result across the entire input and load range, not only at nominal conditions.
TI’s 2015 white paper recommends keeping Fly-Buck duty cycle below 50% for good regulation. The secondary transfers energy during the low-side switch interval; as duty cycle rises, that interval shrinks, while reflected peak current and losses increase. Treat the figure as design guidance, then verify the selected IC and magnetic design over the required operating range.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
3. Check current, power, and regulation together
The regulator switch and magnetics must handle primary current plus current reflected from the secondary. AN-2292 gives cycle-by-cycle current relationships and maximum-output-current equations; its worked example is a practical two-output, 3 W isolated buck design. That 3 W value belongs to the example, not to the topology as a universal power ceiling or guarantee.
Turns ratio alone does not determine available output power. Winding resistance and synchronous-switch impedance contribute to losses, and the losses can rise as the secondary conduction interval contracts. Leakage inductance, winding DC resistance, and rectifier forward drop also affect regulation. Calculate currents and losses for the chosen IC, magnetics, rails, and loads; do not transfer an example’s power or regulation result to a different circuit.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
4. Select magnetics for performance and isolation
Choose a coupled inductor or transformer whose turns ratio, coupling, leakage inductance, winding DC resistance, thermal capability, and insulation construction suit the design. TI notes that interleaving primary and secondary windings can improve cross-regulation and reduce leakage inductance, but the specific component construction and resulting performance still need verification.
The component must meet the required basic, supplementary, or reinforced insulation grade. PCB creepage and clearance must meet the applicable standard for the product’s voltage, environment, and safety requirements; there is no single spacing value suitable for every Fly-Buck design.
5. Validate rectification and light-load behavior
A diode is a straightforward secondary rectifier, but its forward drop contributes to output error. Check each output at no load, light load, and full load, as well as during startup and transients. In a separate TI inverting Fly-Buckboost reference design, a synchronous-rectifier approach avoided a preload resistor or Zener clamp for no-load regulation, and the design reported ±5% regulation across its input and load range. That result applies to that particular design, not to synchronous rectification generally or to Fly-Buck converters as a class.
6. Treat EMC and transient protection as system design
One TI EMC example includes a common-mode inductor, X and Y capacitors, a damping resistor, a bidirectional TVS clamp, and ferrite beads at sensitive nodes. In that circuit, Y capacitors route transient energy from the input lines to chassis ground. These parts are not a mandatory Fly-Buck recipe: choose filtering, grounding, and protection to meet the product’s actual EMC, safety, and surge requirements.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Sources and design limits
The topology and examples discussed here are from Texas Instruments design materials: AN-2292 Rev. B, revised May 2013; a Fly-Buck white paper dated November 2015; and two TI technical articles whose opened text did not state publication dates. The examples are useful design references, not substitutes for current component datasheets, applicable standards, or validation of the finished application.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
