Bootstrapped Clock Generator Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bootstrapped track-and-hold circuits require additional protection circuits due to boosting voltages exceeding power supply voltage levels, resulting in complex structures and reduced reliability.
Innovation Solution
A bootstrapped clock generator that maintains a boost capacitor voltage lower than the power supply voltage, generating a sampling control signal with a voltage level equal to or less than the power supply voltage, thereby simplifying the circuit structure and eliminating the need for additional protection circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional bootstrapped track-and-hold circuits use boosting voltage higher than power supply voltage, then sampling control signal level is improved, but additional protection circuits are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of boost capacitor voltage level from conventional high voltage (higher than power supply) to a controlled lower voltage (lower than power supply voltage). This is achieved by connecting the boost capacitor between a first node and ground, and controlling its charging voltage through the switching network, thereby eliminating the need for protection circuits while maintaining proper sampling control signal generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the protection circuits from the conventional bootstrapped track-and-hold circuit. By taking out the unnecessary protection elements and simplifying the voltage control mechanism, the circuit achieves the same sampling function without the complexity of additional protection components, reducing device complexity while maintaining functionality
2Power
If conventional bootstrapped track-and-hold circuits use boosting voltage higher than power supply voltage, then sampling control signal is generated, but reliability deteriorates due to complex structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the boost capacitor from exceeding power supply voltage to being lower than power supply voltage. This parameter change eliminates voltage overstress conditions on circuit elements, removing the need for protection circuits and thereby improving circuit reliability through a simpler, more robust design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies prior cushioning by designing the boost capacitor voltage to inherently stay below power supply voltage levels, preventing voltage overstress before it can occur. This preventive approach eliminates the need for reactive protection circuits, improving reliability through design rather than protection
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 reduces the complexity of the track-and-hold circuit, enhances reliability by lowering the boosting voltage to match the power supply voltage, and separates signal paths to minimize glitch noise and decrease settling time.
Implementation Method 1
a boost capacitor voltage lower than an initial level of the boost capacitor voltage. The initial level of the boost capacitor voltage may indicate a level of the boost capacitor voltage when a logic level of a first clock signal CLK is maintained a first logic level
Data Source
AI summary
A track-and-hold circuit includes a bootstrapped clock generator and a track-and-hold unit. The bootstrapped clock generator receives an input voltage signal and generates a sampling control signal having a voltage level lower than or equal to a level of a power supply voltage by maintaining an initial level of a boost capacitor voltage at a level lower than the level of the power supply voltage. The boost capacitor voltage is a voltage that is charged across a boost capacitor included in the bootstrapped clock generator and the sampling control signal is generated based on a clock signal. The track-and-hold unit samples and holds the input voltage signal in response to the sampling control signal to generate a sampled signal.