Fundamental Analysis and Noise Modeling of Switched-Capacitor Converters as AC–AC Signal Amplifiers

Switched-capacitor converters, commonly used for DC-DC conversion, are increasingly relevant as AC-AC signal amplifiers. This paper analyzes the AC amplifier performance metrics of the Dickson, Serial-Parallel, Fibonacci, Doubler, and Exponential charge pump topologies using small-signal, large-signal, and noise analysis. Recently published output capacitance formula are reviewed and extended, and corrected noise calculations are provided to address key errors in prior literature. Ideal and non-ideal simulation results validate the theoretical analysis and demonstrate how topology selection impacts amplifier gain, bandwidth, and noise performance in AC-AC applications. The non-ideal simulations further reveal practical limitations associated with each topology. These findings offer valuable new insights for using switched-capacitor converters as AC signal amplifiers.