Multi-level power converter architecture

An apparatus, comprising:

• a multi-level power converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, wherein the multi-level power converter comprises one or more switching groups, wherein a switching group of the one or more switching groups comprises a pair of switches and a flying capacitor;
• a first controller configured to determine a duty reference for the switching group;
• a sign correction component configured to determine a sign correction signal based on a flying capacitor ripple voltage;
• one or more balancing controllers configured to determine duty correction factors for the one or more switching groups based upon a flying capacitor voltage error of the flying capacitor for the switching group;
• and
• a duty generation component configured to generate a duty command for activating the pair of switches of the switching group based on the duty reference, the sign correction signal, and the duty correction factor.

A method comprising:

• determining a duty reference for controlling a multi-level power converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage using one or more switching groups, wherein a switching group of the one or more switching groups comprises a pair of switches and a flying capacitor;
• determining a duty correction factor for the switching group based upon a flying capacitor voltage error;
• determining a sign correction signal based on a flying capacitor ripple voltage;
• and
• determining a duty command for activating the pair of switches of the switching group based on the duty reference, the duty correction factor, and the sign correction signal.