A New Control Theory for Switched-Capacitor Converters

Description

Modern applications like computers require a fast, stable transient response for quick, large load changes. Switched-capacitor (SC) converters could be ideal power supplies for computers or other integrated electronic systems, due to their high energy-processing efficiency, high power density, and possible integrated circuit fabrication, if not for the lack of tools for their control design. Typical controllers are designed by using small-signal approximations, but then the converter has a slow dynamic response to external disturbances, and can become unstable. This project aims to explore a new control technique for SC converters. The control concept is based on observing and predicting the large-signal state trajectories of the converter on the state plane, and finding the time-optimal commands to the switches. The new control theory will allow for designing SC converters with a fast dynamic response to large input voltage and load changes.