Charge Pump Voltage Regulation via PWM Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump devices lack effective control over output voltage, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in supplying voltages different from the supply voltage, particularly in maintaining specific voltage requirements for electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump system that includes a pulse width-modulated signal circuit and a periodic signal conditioning circuit, where the periodic signal is supplied only in complete periods to the control input, allowing for precise regulation of the output voltage by adjusting the control signal based on the deviation between the output voltage and a setpoint voltage, using a D flip-flop, logic gate, error amplifier, and comparator to generate the pulse width-modulated signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a charge pump uses traditional switched-capacitor circuits with distributed switches, then the basic voltage conversion function is achieved, but the output voltage control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the output voltage is continuously monitored and compared against a reference voltage. The error signal generated by this comparison is fed back to the control circuit, which adjusts the switching phases accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise output voltage control while maintaining manageable circuit complexity through systematic error correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic phase shifting capability where the phases of the switching signals can be dynamically adjusted based on the error signal. This dynamic adjustment allows the charge pump to adapt its operation in real-time, providing fine-grained control over the output voltage by varying the timing and duration of charge transfer cycles.
2Reliability
If the charge pump operates at high frequency to reduce impedance, then the maximum supply voltage increases, but noise generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic switching actions with carefully controlled duty cycles and phase relationships. By structuring the switching operations as periodic events with specific timing characteristics, the charge pump achieves high-frequency operation for low impedance while the regular periodic nature allows for predictable noise spectral distribution that can be managed through filtering and timing optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate filtering and conditioning circuits between the switching nodes and the output. These intermediary elements, including capacitors and controlled switches, act as mediators that smooth out the high-frequency switching noise while preserving the useful charge transfer function, thereby enabling high-frequency operation without excessive noise propagation to the output.
3Measurement precision
If the charge pump circuit is optimized for voltage regulation, then the output voltage control improves, but the surface occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the control circuit to perform multiple functions using shared components. The same switching network and control logic are used for both voltage conversion and voltage regulation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated regulation circuits. This multi-functional approach achieves precise voltage control while minimizing the additional surface area required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage conversion and voltage regulation functions into a unified control architecture. By combining the charge transfer switching with the regulation switching in a single integrated control structure, the patent achieves precise voltage regulation without requiring separate circuit blocks, thereby reducing the overall surface occupation of the circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump generates an output voltage. A first circuit generates a pulse width-modulated signal as a function of a deviation between the output voltage and a setpoint voltage. A second circuit receives a periodic signal and conditions the supply of the periodic signal to a control input of the charge pump as a function of the state of the pulse width-modulated signal.