Internal Voltage Generator Charge Pump Bootstrapping Node Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional internal voltage generators have low current efficiency due to the discharge of electric charge remaining in bootstrapping nodes after charge sharing, leading to inefficient generation of pumping and back bias voltages.
Innovation Solution
An internal voltage generator with a high efficient charge pump that includes an oscillation signal generation block, pump control logic, and a charge pump to precharge and charge-share bootstrapping nodes, reusing electric charge to improve voltage levels and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional charge pump operation is used, then pumping voltage is generated, but current efficiency is low due to discharge of remaining electric charge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers electric charge remaining in bootstrapping nodes after charge sharing by connecting these nodes through a dedicated path, allowing the recovered charge to be reused in subsequent pumping cycles. This prevents the conventional discharge of remaining charge to ground, thereby improving current efficiency and reducing power consumption while maintaining voltage generation capability
2Power
If charge sharing is performed, then pumping voltage level increases, but remaining electric charge is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
After charge sharing between bootstrapping nodes and pumping voltage node, the patent connects the bootstrapping nodes through a recovery path that preserves remaining electric charge instead of discharging it. This recovered charge is then reused in the next pumping cycle, reducing charge loss while maintaining the voltage boosting effect of charge sharing
3Power
If conventional charge pump circuit is used, then pumping voltage is generated, but power consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a charge recovery mechanism that connects bootstrapping nodes through a dedicated path after charge sharing, allowing remaining electric charge to be reused rather than discharged. This reduces the amount of charge that needs to be replenished from the power supply, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining pumping voltage generation
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 proposed solution significantly enhances current efficiency by reusing electric charge, increasing the pumping voltage level and reducing power consumption, while maintaining stable voltage levels and minimizing layout area.
Implementation Method 1
a charge pump for precharging the pair of bootstrapping nodes by connecting the pair of bootstrapping nodes in response to the precharge signal to thereby generate the pumping voltage of a predetermined level after precharging the pair of bootstrapping nodes to a level of the power supply voltage and charge sharing the pair of bootstrapping node and the pumping voltage
Data Source
AI summary
An internal voltage generator includes a high efficient charge pump. The internal voltage generator includes an oscillation signal generator for receiving a reference voltage and a pumping voltage to thereby output an oscillation signal, a pump control logic for outputting a pumping control signal and a precharge signal in response to the oscillation signal, and a charge pump for precharging the pair of bootstrapping node by connecting the pair of bootstrapping node in response to the precharge signal to thereby generate the pumping voltage of a predetermined level after precharging the pair of bootstrapping node into a level of the power supply voltage and charge sharing the pair of bootstrapping node and the pumping voltage in response to the precharge signal. Herein, the pumping control signal controls a pumping operation and the precharge signal precharges a pair of bootstrapping node for generating the pumping voltage by pumping a power supply voltage.