Charge Pump Circuit for Non-Volatile Memory Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-volatile semiconductor memory devices face challenges in managing peak current and reducing power consumption during operations, particularly in generating high voltages required for programming operations, which can lead to unstable power supply and increased energy usage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a charge pump circuit with multiple pump units and a stage controller that dynamically adjusts the number of active pump units based on input current, allowing for controlled voltage generation and reduced power consumption by optimizing the stage of the charge pump circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a charge pump circuit is used to generate high voltage for program operations, then voltage generation capability is improved, but peak current increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit transitions from static to dynamic operation by implementing multi-stage pumping with variable numbers of active pump units. The circuit dynamically adjusts the number of pump units based on real-time current detection, enabling adaptive voltage generation that responds to changing operational demands rather than operating at fixed capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit is divided into multiple independent pump units that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows the circuit to operate with varying numbers of pump units (first stage with fewer units, second stage with more units), enabling granular control over current consumption and power usage while maintaining voltage generation capability.
2Power
If the number of pump units is increased to generate higher voltage, then voltage output is improved, but peak current generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit performs preliminary voltage generation in the first stage using a limited number of pump units before transitioning to the second stage. This preliminary action allows the circuit to build up voltage gradually and detect current levels before committing to higher power consumption modes, preventing excessive peak current from occurring suddenly.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit incorporates current detection feedback that monitors the actual current consumption during operation. Based on this feedback, the control logic determines whether to transition from the first stage to the second stage, creating a closed-loop system that adjusts pump unit activation based on real-time electrical conditions rather than operating open-loop.
3Loss of energy
If multi-stage control is implemented to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality for multi-stage operation is merged into the existing charge pump circuit architecture rather than being implemented as a completely separate control system. The current detection unit and stage control logic are integrated with the pump units, sharing common signal paths and control structures, which reduces the overall complexity increase that would result from fully independent control circuits.
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 effectively mitigates peak current generation and reduces power consumption, enhancing operational stability and speed by adjusting the number of pump units in response to current levels, thereby stabilizing the input voltage and optimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
The charge pump is a kind of a direct current (DC)-DC converter for generating a voltage higher than the input voltage or lower than a ground voltage
Data Source
AI summary
The non-volatile memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a voltage generator configured to supply a voltage to the memory cell array. The voltage generator includes a charge pump circuit, a switching circuit, and a stage controller. The charge pump circuit includes a plurality of pump units and is configured to output a pump voltage and a pump current in accordance with a number of pump units that have received an input voltage among the plurality of pump units. The switching circuit is configured to output the pump voltage. The stage controller is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to the pump current and perform a stage control operation of generating a stage control signal for controlling the number of pump units to be driven.