Charge Pump Noise Reduction via Periodic Sequential Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge pumps used to generate high voltage outputs in low supply voltage configurations often introduce current spikes and noise that degrade signal-to-noise ratios in RF signals due to parasitic effects, which existing isolation methods fail to fully mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A method and configuration for charge pumps where a patterned clock signal is generated to initiate a sequential charging pattern only every N cycles of a clock signal, reducing the number of actively driven stages and thereby minimizing current spikes and noise, while maintaining high voltage output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If charge pump operates continuously with full clock cycles, then charging efficiency is improved, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by initiating sequential charging patterns only every N cycles of the clock signal instead of continuous operation. This periodic initiation reduces the frequency of charging events, thereby lowering noise generation while maintaining necessary charging functionality. The pattern generation device creates clock signals with selective activation intervals, implementing periodic control to balance efficiency and noise reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sequential charging pattern is initiated every N cycles, then noise generation is reduced, but charging speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the charging pattern adjustable through the parameter N, which can be modified based on operational requirements. The system dynamically adapts between faster charging (lower N) and quieter operation (higher N), allowing real-time optimization of the trade-off between charging speed and noise generation according to system needs.
3Power
If charge pump stages are actively driven, then voltage multiplication is achieved, but current spikes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging capacitor stages in a controlled sequential pattern before full operation. The pattern generation device prepares the charging sequence in advance, initiating charges through capacitor stages progressively rather than simultaneously, which smooths current draw and reduces spikes while still achieving the required voltage multiplication at the output.
Data Source
AI summary
Charge pump systems and methods for the operation thereof can be configured for delivering charge to a primary circuit node. A sequential charging pattern of at least a subset of a series-connected plurality of charge-pump stages connected between a supply voltage node and the primary circuit node can be selectively initiated. For example, the sequential charging pattern can be initiated one time for every N cycles of a given clock signal, wherein N is a selectively adjustable integer value greater than or equal to 1.