Synthesis of Interleaved, Unipolar, Switched Capacitor DC-DC Converters

Abstract

Switched capacitor (SC) dc-dc converters are showing great potential for new applications such as data centres, electric vehicles, and power transmission. Many SC topologies have been synthesized on an ad-hoc basis, although new computer methods are being introduced to formalize this process. This article presents a general synthesis technique that can be incorporated into a computer algorithm to assist with the development of new SC circuits. The technique is based on interleaving SC converter circuits, where two unipolar converters are connected in parallel, and each leg is driven by separate, complementary gate signals. By applying this method to the traditional Ladder SC converter, a topology termed a simplified interleaved ladder (SIL) converter, is synthesized and tested using a hardware prototype. The resonant implementation of the SIL converter has desirable features for MV/LV applications when compared with other existing SC circuits.