Adjustable Charge Pump Capacitor for Precise Voltage Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage supply circuits struggle to accurately and consistently generate a specified voltage, especially in the presence of component aging, temperature changes, and manufacturing deviations, which can lead to voltage fluctuations and inefficiencies in powering transistors.
Innovation Solution
A voltage supply circuit comprising an adjustable capacitor, an alternating voltage source, and a charge source, where the adjustable capacitor's capacitance is periodically adjusted based on sampled voltage levels to maintain the desired voltage, using an alternating voltage that transitions between high and low states to pump charge to the voltage supply node, ensuring accurate voltage regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed capacitor is used in the voltage supply circuit, then the circuit structure is simple, but the voltage regulation precision deteriorates due to component aging, temperature changes, and manufacturing deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed capacitor with an adjustable capacitor whose capacitance can be dynamically modified. The capacitor bank includes multiple capacitive elements that can be selectively connected or disconnected to change the total capacitance value, allowing the voltage supply circuit to adapt to component aging, temperature changes, and manufacturing deviations while maintaining precise voltage regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the capacitance value of the capacitor in the voltage supply circuit. By adjusting the capacitance parameter of the adjustable capacitor, the circuit can compensate for drift caused by aging, temperature, and manufacturing variations, thereby maintaining accurate voltage regulation without requiring a completely redesigned circuit architecture.
2Measurement precision
If initial capacitance trimming is performed to compensate for manufacturing deviations, then voltage regulation accuracy improves, but the manufacturing process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a capacitor bank with multiple capacitive elements of different values during manufacturing. Instead of performing time-consuming trimming operations on a single capacitor, the circuit is prepared with selectable capacitor combinations that can be quickly configured to achieve the desired voltage regulation accuracy, significantly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by providing an adjustable capacitor structure that allows post-manufacturing adjustment of capacitance values. This enables the circuit to be tuned for optimal performance after assembly without requiring lengthy trimming processes, as the adjustable capacitor can be configured to compensate for manufacturing deviations in a matter of minutes rather than hours.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the capacitance is increased to compensate for voltage drops during transistor overdrive mode, then the voltage stability improves, but the circuit response time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the capacitance adjustable rather than fixed. The voltage supply circuit can dynamically select appropriate capacitance values based on operating conditions: using larger capacitance values during normal operation to maintain voltage stability, and switching to smaller capacitance values during overdrive mode transitions to improve response time. This dynamic adjustment resolves the trade-off between stability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the capacitance value according to the operational state of the transistor. By changing the capacitance parameter in real-time based on whether the transistor is in normal mode or overdrive mode, the circuit achieves both voltage stability during steady-state operation and fast response during transient conditions, eliminating the need to compromise between these conflicting requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables precise and continuous voltage control, compensating for changes such as aging and environmental factors, while avoiding the need for initial capacitance trimming, thus maintaining stable voltage supply for transistors.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable capacitor having an adjustable capacitance and comprising a first capacitor terminal coupled to the voltage supply node and to the charge source, and having a second capacitor terminal connected to the alternating voltage source
Implementation Method 2
charge is thereby pumped from the first capacitor terminal to the voltage supply node
Data Source
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AI summary
A voltage supply circuit that generates a voltage on a voltage supply node. The voltage supply circuit includes an adjustable capacitor, an alternating voltage source, a charge source, and an adjusting circuit. When the alternating voltage on the second capacitor terminal transitions low, the voltage on the first capacitor terminal also becomes low, and the charge source provides charge to the first capacitor terminal of the adjustable capacitor. When the alternating voltage on the second capacitor terminal transitions high, the voltage on the first capacitor terminal also becomes high, and charge is thereby pumped from the first capacitor terminal to the voltage supply node. The adjusting circuit periodically samples the voltage on the voltage supply node, and adjusts the capacitance of the adjustable capacitor to increase or decrease that voltage.