Charge Pump Circuit for Compact Multi-Level Voltage Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a demand for electronic circuits that can generate various levels of voltages while occupying a small area, particularly in semiconductor chips where flash memory systems require efficient voltage conversion to store and read data effectively.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an electronic circuit comprising a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, a pumping circuit, and a main charge pump, which utilize clock signals to transfer and accumulate voltages across capacitive elements, generating a pumping voltage that is used to convert an input voltage into multiple levels, enabling efficient voltage output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional voltage generation circuit is used to provide multiple voltage levels, then the voltage conversion function is achieved, but the circuit occupies a large area
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage generation circuit is divided into multiple charge pump circuits (first charge pump circuit, second charge pump circuit, third charge pump circuit) that operate in parallel. Each charge pump circuit generates a specific voltage level by transferring charges during different clock phases, allowing multiple voltage levels to be produced simultaneously without requiring a large sequential circuit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuits utilize periodic clock signals (first clock, second clock, third clock) to transfer charges in discrete phases. During each clock cycle, different charge pump circuits are activated to transfer charges to intermediate nodes, and during subsequent phases, the main charge pump circuit transfers accumulated charges to output nodes, enabling efficient voltage multiplication in a compact structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charge pump circuits are used to generate various voltage levels, then voltage versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charge pump circuits are designed with identical structural configurations, each capable of performing the same charge transfer function. This universality allows the circuits to be replicated and connected in parallel, providing multiple voltage levels through a standardized modular approach rather than requiring complex unique circuits for each voltage level.
Solution Approach 2:
The output nodes of multiple charge pump circuits are connected to common intermediate nodes, and the main charge pump circuit combines charges from multiple sources to generate final output voltages. This merging approach allows multiple voltage generation functions to be integrated into a unified circuit architecture, reducing overall complexity.
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 configuration allows for the generation of multiple voltage levels within a compact area, enhancing the efficiency of voltage conversion in semiconductor memory systems while minimizing power consumption and chip size.
Implementation Method 1
a first charge pump circuit that transfers a first voltage to a first node in response to a first transition of a first clock signal
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic circuit includes a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, a pumping circuit, and a main charge pump. The first switch circuit transfers a first driving voltage to a first node based on a first clock. The second switch circuit transfers a second driving voltage to a second node based on the first driving voltage of the first node. The pumping circuit outputs a pumping voltage having a level corresponding to a sum of a level of the second driving voltage and a first operation level of a second clock, based on the second driving voltage of the second node and the first operation level. The main charge pump converts an input voltage based on the pumping voltage.