Modeling and Design of Flying Capacitor Multilevel Converters with High Control Bandwidth

Abstract

This thesis investigates the modeling and control of flying capacitor multilevel (FCML) converters for fast dynamic response for envelope tracking DC-DC converters. Coupled inductors combined with multilevel and multiphase converters reduce ripple and help with intrinsic flying capacitor voltage balancing. Voltage balancing is important for reducing current ripple and increasing converter efficiency. The capacitor voltage levels are experimentally measured and compared against theoretical models. The results will be used to develop closed-loop control of the converter to track envelope signals with high linearity.