Simulation of a Multi-Level Resonant Flying-Capacitor Converter above Resonant Frequency to Overcome Its Voltage Regulation Issue

Abstract

This paper presents a Flying-Capacitor converter above its resonant frequency considering zero-voltage switching (ZVS) realization and voltage regulation issue due to wide input voltage and output power variations. A new multi-level Flying-Capacitor (FC) dc/dc converter is candidate among the other proposed topologies with lower power device count and soft switching characteristics that results in lower electromagnetic interference and switching losses. ZVS operation under the continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation has achieved undeniable benefits in switching losses and therefore a higher efficiency. In the MOSFET-based converters, the ZVS operation causes lower switching losses in contrary to the wide used zero current switching (ZCS) approaches under the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). However, in this topology a natural ZCS operation of the diodes under the CCM condition is occurred which impels even to higher efficiency, too. In addition, output voltage regulation has been clearly revealed and when wide input voltage and output power variations are applied.