Booster Clock Control for Low-Noise Endoscope Voltage Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing booster circuits for generating voltage in imaging and endoscope applications face challenges in reducing power consumption and noise, particularly in maintaining stable voltage levels for imaging elements within endoscopes inserted into subjects.
Innovation Solution
A booster apparatus with a voltage conversion control circuit that generates a second power supply voltage with a lower negative voltage than ground voltage, using a booster circuit to boost input voltage, a clock buffer to maintain voltage levels, and a voltage comparator to control the driving clock signal based on voltage comparisons, ensuring efficient power management and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a charge-pump booster circuit with multiple stages is used to generate higher voltage, then the voltage generation capability is improved, but the power consumption and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The booster circuit is divided into multiple pumping packets connected in series, where each packet includes a capacitor and diode that independently contribute to voltage boosting. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve higher voltage through cumulative effect of individual stages rather than requiring a single high-power stage, thereby reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The booster circuit operates by periodically charging capacitors during one clock phase and discharging them in series during another clock phase. This periodic action enables voltage multiplication through rhythmic energy transfer, allowing efficient voltage generation with lower continuous power consumption compared to linear voltage regulation methods.
2Power
If a charge-pump booster circuit is used to generate voltage, then the voltage boosting function is improved, but noise occurrence increases
Solution Approach 1:
Capacitors serve as intermediary energy storage elements that decouple the switching actions from the output voltage. The capacitors smooth out the pulsed current from the switching devices and provide a more stable voltage output, thereby reducing noise and electromagnetic interference generated by the switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic switching and charging/discharging cycles of the capacitor-based pumping packets create controlled, rhythmic current flow rather than chaotic switching noise. This periodic operation, synchronized with clock signals, allows noise to be concentrated at specific frequencies that can be more easily filtered and managed.
3Speed
If voltage boosting is performed without voltage level control, then the voltage generation speed is improved, but voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage comparator continuously monitors the output voltage of the booster circuit and compares it against a reference voltage. Based on this comparison, the control circuit adjusts the clock signal timing and duration to regulate the booster circuit's operation, ensuring the output voltage remains within desired limits while maintaining rapid response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit prepares the clock signal parameters in advance based on the voltage comparison result, adjusting the timing and duration of clock pulses before they are applied to the booster circuit. This preliminary adjustment ensures that voltage stabilization occurs proactively rather than reactively, maintaining both speed and stability.
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
This solution effectively reduces power consumption and noise in endoscope imaging systems, allowing for stable voltage levels and improved image signal generation, while also reducing the size of the imaging apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a booster circuit configured to generate the second power supply voltage by boosting a predetermined level of voltage that is input from outside, at an absolute value level based on an input booster clock signal
Implementation Method 2
a clock buffer configured to maintain the second power supply voltage at a predetermined level, generate the booster clock signal based on the driving clock signal
Implementation Method 3
a comparator configured to compare the first voltage level and the second voltage level and control input of the driving clock signal to be supplied to the clock buffer based on a comparison result
Data Source
AI summary
A booster apparatus includes a voltage conversion control circuit configured to generate second power supply voltage, based on the ground voltage, first power supply voltage, and a driving clock signal. The voltage conversion control circuit includes: a booster circuit configured to generate the second power supply voltage based on an input booster clock signal; a clock buffer configured to generate the booster clock signal and output the generated booster clock signal to the booster circuit; and a voltage comparator that includes: a first voltage generation circuit configured to generate a first signal with a first voltage level; a second voltage generation circuit configured to generate a second signal with a second voltage level; and a comparator configured to compare the first voltage level and the second voltage level and control input of the driving clock signal to be supplied to the clock buffer based on a comparison result.