Charge-Pump Voltage Multiplier with Dynamic Stage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voltage multipliers are limited to a narrow range of output voltages and loads, leading to excessive ripple when trying to accommodate variable loads and output voltages, as increasing the number of stages to handle varying loads results in increased ripple.
Innovation Solution
A charge-based voltage multiplier with a pump block controlled by a pump control block, utilizing a weighted capacitor array and a charge-pump controller that senses transition changes, counts clock periods, and adjusts the source impedance to minimize ripple, allowing for variable load and output voltage support without concomitant ripple increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of stages is increased to accommodate variable loads and output voltages, then the adaptability is improved, but the ripple increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic stage selection where the voltage multiplier can selectively activate or deactivate specific stages based on the required output voltage and load conditions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to variable loads and output voltages without increasing ripple, as only the necessary number of stages are active at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the voltage multiplier by varying the number of active stages according to the desired output voltage level. By dynamically adjusting which stages are enabled, the system can provide a broad range of output voltages while maintaining low ripple levels, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ripple generation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of stages is increased to handle varying loads, then the load handling capability is improved, but the ripple increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic stage activation where the voltage multiplier selectively enables or disables specific stages based on the current load requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to handle variable loads effectively while preventing excessive ripple generation, as the system only activates the minimum necessary stages for the given load condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active stages as a parameter to match the load requirements. By changing which stages are operational based on load demands, the patent achieves broad load handling capability without the penalty of increased ripple that would result from always operating all stages.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional voltage multipliers stop the clock when output voltage exceeds regulation voltage, then the voltage regulation is achieved, but the ripple becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of simply stopping the clock when regulation voltage is exceeded, the patent dynamically adjusts the number of active stages to maintain precise voltage regulation. This dynamic stage selection allows continuous operation with reduced ripple, as the system can fine-tune the output by selectively enabling or disabling specific stages rather than relying on clock stopping which causes excessive ripple.
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 effectively suppresses ripple while enabling support for a variety of loads and output voltages, providing a regulated voltage with improved impedance adjustment to maintain low ripple across different load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the charge-pump stages includes a weighted capacitor array of pump cells
Data Source
AI summary
A charge-based voltage multiplier device comprising a charge-pump circuit and a charge-pump controller is provided. The charge-pump circuit is configured to multiply an input voltage signal (Vin) into an output voltage signal (Vout), the charge-pump circuit includes a plurality of charge-pump stages, wherein at least one of the charge-pump stages includes a weighted capacitor array of pump cells. The charge-pump controller is configured to provide a pump cell select to selectively control the weighted capacitor array of pump cells of the at least one of the charge-pump stages of the charge-pump circuit.