An A/C-D/C-F/C power system is provided that includes a portable power
unit that can accept electricity from a number of alternative sources
including an AC power source, a DC power source, a battery, and a direct
oxidation fuel cell. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,
the fuel cell is used to either recharge a battery, or to power an
application device, when the AC source and/or the DC source are
unavailable. The A/C-D/C-F/C system of the present invention also
includes signal processing and signal conditioning circuitry in a power
combiner and conditioner, which condition the voltage signal to deliver
power to the application device in a manner that is consistent with
device requirements.