Dynamically Scaled Charge Pump Efficiency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump circuits face inefficiencies and limited output current due to low oscillator frequency and non-ideal switches, with output voltage variation strongly dependent on load, and are power inefficient, especially at low input voltages.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically scaled charge pump system that uses a comparator to regulate the output voltage ratio based on the input voltage, enabling or disabling the charge pump to maintain efficiency by adjusting the number of pump stages and reducing voltage pumping at low input levels, with a reference voltage determining the operation mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a charge pump circuit operates at low input voltage, then power consumption increases and efficiency decreases, but reducing the oscillator frequency to improve efficiency reduces output current capability
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit dynamically adjusts the oscillator frequency based on the input voltage level. At low input voltages, the frequency is reduced to improve efficiency, while at higher input voltages, the frequency increases to maintain output current capability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between power efficiency and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters (oscillator frequency) based on the input voltage condition. By monitoring the input voltage and adjusting the frequency parameter accordingly, the circuit optimizes the trade-off between power efficiency at low voltages and output current capability at higher voltages.
2Productivity
If the oscillator frequency is increased to improve output current, then power consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillator frequency is dynamically controlled based on the input voltage level and load conditions. The circuit automatically increases frequency only when needed to maintain output current, avoiding unnecessary power consumption. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between productivity and energy loss.
3Loss of energy
If the charge pump operates continuously to maintain output voltage, then power consumption increases, but disabling it causes output voltage variation
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The control circuit enables the charge pump only when needed to maintain output voltage within acceptable ranges, then disables it to reduce power consumption. This periodic operation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control to monitor the output voltage and adjust the charge pump operation accordingly. When the output voltage approaches acceptable limits, the charge pump is disabled to save power. When voltage drops below thresholds, the charge pump is re-enabled. This feedback mechanism maintains stability while minimizing power consumption.
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 approach maximizes charge pump efficiency at low input voltages by dynamically controlling the output voltage ratio, reducing power consumption and minimizing the need for discrete scaling, thereby stabilizing the output voltage and improving overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
the comparator configured to compare the input voltage to a comparison voltage
Implementation Method 2
A charge pump circuit uses an input voltage to generate an output voltage that is higher in level than the input voltage. Charge pumps use some form of switching device(s) to control the connection of voltages to the capacitor.
Implementation Method 3
The capacitor used as the charge pump is typically known as the 'flying capacitor.' Another way to explain the operation of a charge pump is to consider it as the combination of a DC to AC converter (the switches) followed by a voltage multiplier.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and devices for dynamically scaled charge pumping are presented. Example embodiments of the disclosed systems of dynamically scaled charge pumping enable regulation of the output voltage at a particular ratio and to dynamically control the ratio based on the input voltage. A charge pumping circuit is enabled by an oscillator. The charge pump oscillator is enabled by the output of a comparator. The comparator compares an input voltage to a comparator voltage, which is a divided version of the output voltage. The output voltage is referenced to a regulated voltage and the comparison voltage is divided between the two voltages by a resistor divider. The regulated voltage remains flat until the input voltage equals the reference voltage. At that point, the regulated voltage will begin to rise and follow the input voltage. Before the reference voltage is reached, the output voltage equals the input voltage multiplied by the resistor divider ratio. Once the input voltage reaches the reference voltage, the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage becomes a constant.