Charge-Pump Boosting Circuit for Low-Voltage MOS Turn-On
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In advanced integrated circuit processes, the low power supply voltage and high turn-on threshold voltage of MOS elements make it difficult to turn on MOS elements, and existing charge-pump boosting circuits are overly complex due to the use of many switch elements.
Innovation Solution
A charge-pump boosting circuit utilizing two storage capacitors, two resistors, and two rectifying devices, where opposite clock signals charge the capacitors and the rectifying devices selectively turn on to boost the voltage, with the output voltage determined by subtracting the threshold voltage of the rectifying devices from the sum of the clock signal and reference voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If many switch elements are used to boost voltage in a charge-pump circuit, then the voltage can be boosted to a linear combination of supply voltages, but the circuit becomes excessively complex
Solution Approach 1:
The charge-pump circuit is divided into multiple independent pumping units, each capable of boosting voltage independently. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve high voltage boosting capability while maintaining simplicity within each unit, resolving the contradiction between power capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple pumping units are combined in parallel to achieve the desired voltage boosting effect. By merging simple units rather than using a single complex circuit, the patent achieves linear combination of supply voltages while keeping individual unit complexity low.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the power supply voltage is reduced in advanced integrated circuit processes, then energy consumption is reduced, but the MOS element turn-on threshold voltage remains high making it difficult to turn on elements
Solution Approach 1:
The charge-pump circuit performs preliminary voltage boosting before the MOS elements need to be turned on. By pre-charging storage capacitors to high voltages using the pumping units, the circuit ensures that sufficient voltage is available to overcome the high threshold voltage of MOS elements in advanced processes, maintaining reliability while allowing low operating voltage.
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 boosts the voltage using fewer elements, ensuring the output voltage can turn on transistor elements that require high voltages, while maintaining a stable and predictable output voltage despite variations in process, voltage, or temperature.
Implementation Method 1
A first rectifying device is connected to the first node and a voltage output. The first clock signal and the reference voltage that passes through the first resistor are used to charge the first storage capacitor, and the first clock signal is used to selectively turn on the first rectifying device to charge the voltage output by the first storage capacitor.
Implementation Method 2
One end of a first storage capacitor receives a first clock signal, and the other end is connected to a first node. One end of a second storage capacitor receives a second clock signal, and the other end is connected to a second node.
Implementation Method 3
A first resistor is respectively connected to the first node and a reference voltage, and a second resistor is respectively connected to the second node and the reference voltage.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge-pump boosting is provided. A first resistor is connected to a first storage capacitor and receives a reference voltage, and a second resistor is connected to a second storage capacitor and receives the reference voltage. A first rectifying device is connected to the first storage capacitor and a voltage output. A first clock signal and the reference voltage are used to charge the first storage capacitor, and the first clock signal is used to selectively turn on the first rectifying device to charge the voltage output by the first storage capacitor. The second rectifying device is connected to the second storage capacitor and the voltage output. A second clock signal and the reference voltage are used to charge the second storage capacitor, and the second clock signal is used to selectively turn on the second rectifying device to charge the voltage output by the second storage capacitor.