Multi-level capacitor clamped DC-DC multiplier/divider with variable and fractional voltage gain - an (n/m)X DC-DC converter

Inductor-less, high gain DC-DC converter with high efficiency and high power density is a much desired circuit in Electric Vehicle (EV) powertrain and Solar photovoltaic (SPV) power converters. Modular Multi-level capacitor clamped DC-DC converter circuits (MLCCC) provide a viable solution for this case. But, their application is limited owing to their limitations in terms of fixed output voltage gains and lack of fractional output gains. The aim of this paper is to introduce an (n/m)X converter capable of both dynamically variable voltage gains and fractional voltage gains. Detailed description of the operating method along with the various stages of operation and power dissipation calculation for the proposed converter forms the main theme of the paper. Experimental results for a 1-kW prototype are presented to validate the proposed theory.