Charge Pump Circuit Multi-Stage Capacitor Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump circuits face challenges in determining the optimal capacitance of output capacitors, which affects voltage ripple and recovery time, leading to inefficiencies in internal voltage generation for semiconductor memory devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage charge sharing unit with first to Nth capacitors coupled in parallel between the charge pump unit and a load circuit, performing mutually exclusive charge sharing operations to improve voltage transmission efficiency and reduce voltage drop.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single output capacitor is used in the charge pump circuit, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the voltage ripple increases and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The single output capacitor is segmented into multiple capacitors (first capacitor, second capacitor, and third capacitor) connected in parallel. This segmentation allows each capacitor to share the charge storage function, reducing voltage ripple and improving recovery time while maintaining overall circuit functionality. The segmentation principle directly resolves the contradiction by dividing the capacitive load into manageable units that collectively improve voltage stability.
2Reliability
If the output capacitor has high capacitance, then voltage ripple is reduced and voltage retention ability is improved, but the charge pump circuit requires larger amount of time to recover voltage when voltage is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The high capacitance output capacitor is divided into multiple smaller capacitors (first, second, and third capacitors) connected in parallel. This segmentation maintains the total capacitance value needed for voltage retention while enabling faster charging and discharging operations. Each smaller capacitor can be charged more quickly than a single large capacitor, thus reducing the overall voltage recovery time while preserving voltage retention ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit employs periodic switching operations to charge and discharge the multiple capacitors in sequence or parallel. This periodic action allows the capacitors to be recharged during each cycle, maintaining voltage levels without requiring excessively long recovery times. The periodic charging mechanism ensures that voltage is restored efficiently after each discharge event.
3Loss of time
If the output capacitor has small capacitance, then voltage recovery time is short, but voltage ripple caused by pumping operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The output capacitance is segmented into multiple capacitors connected in parallel, where each capacitor has smaller individual capacitance allowing fast recovery, but the combined capacitance is sufficient to minimize voltage ripple. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both fast recovery time and low voltage ripple simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
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 enhances voltage transmission efficiency and reduces voltage drop, improving the operating speed and protection characteristics of the charge pump circuit by sequentially performing charge sharing operations between multiple capacitors.
Implementation Method 1
The charge pump unit 120 performs a charge pump operation until an output voltage reaches a target voltage
Implementation Method 2
a multi-stage charge sharing unit comprising first to Nth capacitors coupled in parallel between the charge pump unit and a load circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump circuit may include a charge pump unit suitable for performing a charge pump operation until an output voltage reaches a target voltage; and a multi-stage charge sharing unit comprising first to Nth capacitors coupled in parallel between the charge pump unit and a load circuit, the multi-stage charge sharing unit being suitable for sequentially performing first to Nth charge sharing operations between the first to Nth capacitors, respectively, and the load circuit after the charge sharing operation, wherein the first to Nth charge sharing operations are mutually and exclusively performed, and N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2.