An integrated assembly includes a power converter module having an input
bus bar, an output bus bar, an n-level converter and driver circuitry
adapted to control the n-level converter, in response to received control
signals. The n-level converter switches between a pair of voltage levels
selected from a set of n levels, where n.gtoreq.3. The integrated assembly
also includes a controller providing the control signals to the driver
circuitry, and fiber optic lines connecting the driver circuitry of the
n-level converter to the controller. The integrated assembly includes
DC-DC switching power supply, having an input for receiving a DC input
voltage, for generating a DC output voltage and providing it to a load.
The switching power supply includes controlled switching devices, each
having an input terminal and an output terminal. Each of the controlled
switching devices receives a portion of the DC input voltage and each has
a voltage-rating characteristic that is less than the DC input voltage.
The sum of these voltage-rating characteristics for each of the controlled
switching devices is greater than the DC input voltage.
