Systematic Synthesis of Step-Down Switched-Capacitor Power Converter Topologies

In this paper an algorithm for finding two-phase step-down switched-capacitor converter topologies is presented. The output stage is considered as a number of nodes, namely ground, input, output, and the top and bottom plates of the capacitors. Finding all switch placements between these nodes yields a complete database of possible topology implementations.

The algorithm is applied for the case of one to four flying capacitors. This result is useful in the design of multi-topology gearbox output stages where several topologies are implemented. Having a database of all possible implementations allows for designing optimal output stages based on a number of possible performance metrics.

All parts of the synthesis method is automated. In the case of four flying capacitors a total of 8.40 billion topologies are found.