Integrated Modified Three-level Buck Converter With Flying Capacitor-Voltage Self-Balance

Abstract

In this study, an integrated modified three-level buck converter (M3-LBC) is demonstrated to alleviate the inherent imbalance issue in the traditional three-level buck converter (3-LBC). To achieve self balance of flying capacitor-voltage of a 3-LBC, three extra switches and one capacitor are added. This proposed converter provides 12V output from a wide range of 40-72V input. The prototype is designed using a 180 nm CMOS technology, with the peak efficiency of ~94% at 40V input and ~3A output current.