Bootstrapped Circuit Eliminates Capacitors for High-Voltage Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bootstrapped circuits require significant physical space and consume substantial power due to the use of multiple capacitors, limiting their ability to sample input voltages greater than the supply voltage.
Innovation Solution
A bootstrapped circuit configuration that eliminates the need for capacitors and inverter components, utilizing a specific arrangement of transistors and switching circuits to reduce area and power consumption while enabling the sampling of input signals greater than the supply voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional bootstrapped circuits use multiple capacitors, then the circuit can sample and measure voltage quantities, but the physical space requirement and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the capacitor components from the traditional bootstrapped circuit architecture. By removing capacitors C1 and C2 that are typically required for voltage bootstrapping, the invention replaces them with an inductor-based resonant circuit that achieves the same voltage sampling function without requiring large capacitor areas, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and area consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the traditional capacitor-based electrical storage mechanism with an inductor-based resonant mechanism. The inductor L1 forms a resonant circuit with the parasitic capacitance of the switch, replacing the need for dedicated bootstrapping capacitors. This substitution maintains voltage sampling functionality while significantly reducing the physical area required, as inductors can be implemented with smaller footprints than the large capacitors previously needed.
2Measurement precision
If conventional bootstrapped circuits use multiple capacitors, then the circuit can sample and measure voltage quantities, but the power consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the capacitor components from the circuit, eliminating the continuous charging and discharging cycles that consume power in traditional bootstrapped circuits. By extracting C1 and C2 and replacing them with an inductor-based resonant circuit, the invention eliminates the parasitic leakage currents associated with capacitors, thereby substantially reducing power consumption while maintaining voltage sampling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the capacitor-based energy storage and release mechanism with an inductor-based resonant oscillation mechanism. The inductor L1, in conjunction with the switch's parasitic capacitance, creates a resonant circuit that can transfer energy efficiently without the continuous charge-discharge cycles that consume power in capacitor-based designs. This substitution eliminates capacitor leakage losses and reduces overall power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bootstrapped circuits are designed to handle input voltages greater than supply voltage, then the sampling range is extended, but the circuit complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the parasitic capacitance inherent in the switch component itself as part of the resonant circuit, rather than requiring additional dedicated capacitors. The inductor L1 resonates with the switch's built-in parasitic capacitance, allowing the circuit to achieve voltage multiplication and extended input voltage range handling. This self-service approach utilizes existing parasitic elements to extend functionality without adding complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the circuit by introducing an inductor that creates a resonant condition at a specific frequency. This resonant operation allows the circuit to handle input voltages greater than the supply voltage through voltage multiplication effects, while maintaining a relatively simple circuit structure. The parameter change from capacitor-based to inductor-based design enables extended voltage range without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bootstrapping circuit capable of sampling input signals beyond a supply voltage is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bootstrapped circuit is implemented having a reduced area and/or power consumption requirement.