Self-Biased Charge Pump Gate Control for Stable Input Impedance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge pump converter efficiency and input impedance are significantly affected by variations in process corners and temperature due to uncontrollable active devices, such as transistors, in diode configurations.
Innovation Solution
A gate controller system with primary and secondary gate controllers that adjust the gate bias voltage by coupling the gate of the switching element to the output of the previous charge pump converter stage, using resistors or transistors to control the DC voltage bias, allowing for self-biasing without external references and incorporating attenuators and trim inputs to optimize the K factor for maximum efficiency across different processes and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If active devices (transistors) are used in diode configuration without control, then the charge pump structure is simple, but the input impedance and efficiency vary significantly with process corners and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The gate controller uses self-biasing through connection to internal charge pump nodes, eliminating the need for external bias references. The controller automatically adjusts gate voltage based on internal circuit states, making the system self-regulating and reducing sensitivity to process and temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate controller dynamically adjusts the gate bias voltage parameter to compensate for process corners and temperature effects. By changing the gate voltage parameter in response to operating conditions, the controller maintains stable input impedance and efficiency across varying environmental conditions.
2Reliability
If gate bias voltage is controlled to stabilize input impedance and efficiency, then performance consistency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate controller merges multiple functions into a single integrated circuit block: bias voltage generation, gate drive signal generation, and self-biasing through internal node connection. This consolidation achieves stable efficiency control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate controller acts as an intermediary between the charge pump stages, mediating the control of switching elements. It receives signals from internal nodes and generates appropriate gate voltages, serving as a control intermediary that stabilizes efficiency without requiring complex external control systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If self-biasing is implemented without external references, then the system becomes more autonomous, but bias stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The gate controller implements feedback by connecting bias inputs to internal charge pump nodes. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to sense internal circuit states and automatically adjust gate voltages accordingly, maintaining bias stability while achieving autonomous operation without external references.
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 stabilizes the charge pump input impedance and efficiency by adjusting the gate bias voltage, ensuring consistent performance across varying conditions, and allows for programmability and optimization of the K factor to maximize efficiency over process and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
each connected to the gate through a resistor or a transistor such as to control the DC voltage bias of the gate and therefore the conductivity of the switching element
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a gate controller having a primary signal input which is AC coupled to the gate through a capacitor, one or more bias inputs each connected to the gate through a resistor such as to control the DC voltage bias of the gate and therefore the conductivity of the switching element. The bias inputs can be properly connected to internal nodes of the charge pump, or charge pump stages, such that the gate controller is self-biased, without using bias-reference external to the charge pump. The gate controller can be made programmable by using potentiometers in place of the bias resistors. The programmable gate controller stages can be connected to form a programmable gate controlled charge pump.