Multi-Channel Charge Pump Control for Low-Leakage Power Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control systems for electronic devices, such as microprocessors, face challenges in minimizing power consumption when not in use, as they often dissipate power due to leakage currents in unpowered states, and there is a need for an improved apparatus to efficiently control power to multiple circuits.
Innovation Solution
A switch controller system utilizing a charge pump and multi-channel selector switch, which uses a high-capacity source for initial charging and a charge pump for completion, with digital control circuits to manage channel enabling and disabling, minimizing power dissipation by adjusting clock rates and voltage measurement techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a charge pump is used to control power to multiple circuits, then power consumption is reduced by minimizing leakage currents, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and control circuitry
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump controller is designed to control multiple output channels (first output channel and second output channel) using a single integrated controller, allowing one device to perform multiple power control functions simultaneously, reducing the need for separate control circuits for each channel
Solution Approach 2:
The controller combines multiple control functions including charge pump operation, switch control, and voltage regulation into a single integrated circuit that manages multiple output channels, consolidating what would otherwise require separate discrete components and control logic
2Productivity
If the charge pump operates at high clock rates to quickly enable channels, then the productivity improves by reducing enable time, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller dynamically adjusts the clock rate of the charge pump based on operational requirements, using higher clock rates during initial channel enabling to reduce enable time, then transitioning to lower clock rates during steady-state operation to minimize power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump operates in periodic cycles with variable duty cycles, using high-frequency pulsing only when channels need to be enabled, then transitioning to low-frequency or idle states when channels are already enabled, achieving both fast enable capability and low steady-state power consumption
3Loss of energy
If multiple switches are controlled simultaneously to reduce power dissipation, then the loss of energy decreases, but the device complexity increases due to multi-channel control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously control multiple output channels (first and second output channels), each capable of controlling separate switches, allowing a single controller to manage multiple power control functions that would otherwise require separate control circuits
Solution Approach 2:
The controller divides power control into separate independent channels, allowing each channel to be controlled independently while sharing common control logic and resources, reducing the overall complexity compared to using separate controllers for each switch
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 solution effectively reduces power consumption by efficiently enabling and disabling channels, maintaining voltage within design ranges, and minimizing leakage currents, while allowing simultaneous control of multiple switches with minimal degradation of already turned-on channels.
Implementation Method 1
One or more charge pumps can enable a larger total number of switches by selecting one or more channels to be charged or enabled by the charge pump.
Implementation Method 2
The voltage on the channels being enabled is measured by a capacitive voltage divider and compared to a reference voltage.
Implementation Method 3
The voltage needed by the voltage measurement circuit is lowered by switching between a resistive voltage divider when the high current capacity source is used and a capacitive voltage divider when the charge pump is used.
Data Source
AI summary
A switch controller has a charge pump, a selector switch connected to the charge pump, and a pre-charge power supply input connectable to the input of the selector switch. For each of the output channels being controlled, a power control switch is connected to an output of the selector switch. In response to commands, output channels are enabled and disabled, causing corresponding actions in the power control switches. When an output channel is to be activated, the output channel is selected by the selector switch and the pre-charge power supply connected to the input of the selector switch. The charging is completed by the charge pump and the enabled status of the power control switch is maintained by the charge pump.