Abstract This paper proposes three synthesis methods for controlling power converters. The three control strategies yield state feedback control laws that are easy to implement. The first method is a stabilization approach, based on energetic principles and the notion of Lyapunov function. The second is an optimal control approach based on the minimum principle. The third is a neural predictive approach which uses model predictive control to track a given optimal stable limit cycle. This method allows a proper control of the waveform. Except for the predictive approach, system stability for the methods is guaranteed by construction. The four‐level three‐cell DC–DC converter is used as a benchmark to test these strategies. Simulation and experimental results show that the methods have a good performance even with load perturbations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.