Startup procedure for flying capacitor multi-level (fcml) converter

A flying capacitor multi-level (FCML) converter circuit comprising:

• an output capacitor connected in parallel across output terminals;
• a first switching device, a fifth switching device, a current limiter, and a second switching device connected in series, wherein the first switching device, the fifth switching device, the current limiter, and the second switching device are connected in parallel with the output capacitor, and wherein the fifth switching device is integrated with the first switching device and the second switching device to function as a bidirectional switch (BDS);
• a third switching device and a fourth switching device connected in series, wherein the third switching device and the fourth switching device are connected in parallel with the current limiter and the fifth switching device, and wherein the third switching device and the fourth switching device function as bypass switches;
• a plurality of sixth switching devices connected in series, wherein a flying capacitor is connected across the plurality of sixth switching devices, and wherein the plurality of sixth switching devices connected in series are connected in parallel with the output capacitor;
• a power input terminal and an inductor connected in series between a node between the third switching device and the fourth switching device and a node between two central sixth switching devices among the plurality of sixth switching devices, wherein the power input terminal is configured to receive electrical power;
• and
• a controller coupled to the power input terminal;
• wherein under control of the controller, the electrical power received by the power input terminal pre-charges the flying capacitor and the output capacitor through a corresponding sixth switching device among the plurality of sixth switching devices, the first switching device, the second switching device, the third switching device, the fourth switching device, the fifth switching device, and the current limiter.