Charge Pump Flying Capacitor Discharge for Stable Mode Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Two-stage power converters for portable devices face significant overshoot and undershoot issues during transition phases between bypass and normal modes of operation, which can be detrimental to connected circuitry due to abrupt changes in output voltage.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage power converter design incorporating a boost regulator and a flying-capacitor-based charge pump, with control circuitry to regulate the discharge rate of the flying capacitor, minimizing overshoot and undershoot by generating a control voltage based on the voltage across the flying capacitor and a variable reference voltage, ensuring controlled discharge and energy efficiency during transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charge pump transitions from bypass mode to normal switching mode, then the output voltage regulation is improved, but significant overshoot and undershoot occur during the transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the flying capacitor to the input voltage level while the charge pump is in bypass mode, before the transition to normal switching mode. This preparatory charging action ensures that when the charge pump begins switching, the flying capacitor is already at the appropriate voltage level, preventing abrupt voltage changes and minimizing overshoot and undershoot during the mode transition.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the flying capacitor is pre-charged during bypass mode, then energy efficiency is improved, but abrupt voltage change occurs when switching mode begins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-charging the flying capacitor to the input voltage level during bypass mode operation. This preliminary charging prepares the energy storage element in advance, allowing for efficient energy utilization when normal switching mode begins, while simultaneously preventing abrupt voltage changes by ensuring the capacitor is already at the correct voltage level before switching commences.
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 minimizes output voltage overshoot and undershoot, preventing energy wastage and ensuring stable operation by regulating the discharge rate of the flying capacitor, thus maintaining desired voltage levels and reducing stress on connected circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
a flying capacitor coupled to a drain terminal of the first transistor device and to a drain terminal of the second transistor device
Implementation Method 2
a first transistor device of a plurality of transistor devices of the charge pump, in order to regulate a discharge rate of the flying capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
Circuits and methods to enable wireless power transmission and reception are presented. A two-stage power converter has a boost regulator to boost an input voltage to an intermediate voltage. Moreover, the two-stage power converter may also comprise a charge pump coupled to the boost regulator to generate an output voltage based on the intermediated voltage. More particularly, the charge pump may comprise a plurality of transistor devices and a flying capacitor and the charge pump may be bypassed during a bypass mode of operation. Finally, the two-stage power converter may have control circuitry coupled to the charge pump. In particular, the control circuitry may generate a control voltage of a first transistor device of the plurality of transistor devices in order to regulate a discharge rate of the flying capacitor, during a transition phase from the bypass mode of operation to a normal mode of operation.