Image Sensor Charge Pump Cell Quantity Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Image sensor power supply efficiency and noise performance are affected by current load and voltage generator current generation capacity, with existing technologies lacking effective circuit techniques to improve power supply power efficiency and noise performance.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor with a voltage generator that includes multiple charge pump cells, a charge pump cell quantity controller, and voltage regulators, which selectively activates or deactivates charge pump cells based on voltage differences to optimize power supply nodes, using up/down counters to adjust the number of active or inactive enable signals to maintain or adjust voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the voltage generator uses a fixed number of charge pump cells to ensure sufficient current generation capacity, then the current load demand can be met, but power consumption increases and power efficiency deteriorates when current demand is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the number of active charge pump cells variable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the quantity of active charge pump cells based on real-time current load conditions, allowing the voltage generator to adapt its current generation capacity to match actual demand, thereby reducing power consumption when full capacity is not needed while ensuring sufficient current supply when demand increases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of charge pump cell quantity from a static value to a dynamically adjustable parameter. By monitoring current load conditions and adjusting the number of active charge pump cells accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between current generation capacity and power consumption, improving power efficiency while maintaining reliability
2Power
If more charge pump cells are activated to meet higher current load demand, then current generation capacity increases, but power supply noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active charge pump cells based on actual current load requirements. By activating only the necessary number of charge pump cells rather than operating all cells continuously, the system reduces power supply noise while maintaining sufficient current generation capacity to meet varying load demands
3Reliability
If the voltage generator operates with maximum current generation capacity to ensure reliability under all conditions, then current load demand is always met, but power efficiency deteriorates during low current demand periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring current load conditions and using this information to adjust the number of active charge pump cells. This feedback mechanism ensures that the voltage generator maintains sufficient current generation capacity to meet reliability requirements while optimizing power efficiency by activating only the necessary number of charge pump cells based on actual demand
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static operational mode with fixed charge pump cell activation to a dynamic mode where the number of active cells varies based on real-time conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain reliability under all load conditions while minimizing energy loss during low demand periods
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 enhances power supply efficiency and reduces noise by dynamically adjusting the number of charge pump cells to match current demand, maintaining optimal voltage levels and minimizing power consumption and noise under varying load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage generator configured to generate a first voltage at the first power supply node, where the voltage generator includes a plurality of charge pump cells, each configured to selectably source charge to the first power supply node
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a plurality of image sensor cells, each configured to generate or not generate an image signal in response to one or more control signals, and a first driver generating a first control signal. The first driver includes a first positive supply terminal connected to a first power supply node. The image sensor also includes a voltage generator generating a first voltage at the first power supply node, where the voltage generator includes a plurality of charge pump cells selectably sourcing charge to the first power supply node in response to one of multiple enable signals, and a charge pump cell quantity controller circuit generating the enable signals. Each enable signal is either in an active or inactive state, and each charge pump cell sources charge to the first power supply node in response to receiving an enable signal in an active state.