Charge Pump Regulator Using Wake-Up Pulses to Prevent Latch-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charge pumps are prone to latch-up and rapid voltage breakdown when inactive for extended periods, leading to failure in maintaining target output voltage.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a regulator that selectively activates the charge pump using wake-up pulses at predetermined intervals, in addition to monitoring the output voltage, to prevent extended inactivity and mitigate latch-up risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charge pump is regulated solely by monitoring output voltage, then the pump can maintain target voltage during active periods, but the pump becomes prone to latch-up and rapid voltage breakdown when inactive for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator performs preliminary actions by asserting the enable signal before the output voltage actually reaches the target threshold. This anticipatory activation ensures the charge pump is already running and maintaining proper voltage levels before conditions that could lead to latch-up develop during extended inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulator continuously monitors the output voltage and uses this feedback to control the enable signal to the charge pump. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the pump remains active when voltage drift occurs, preventing the extended inactivity that leads to latch-up while avoiding unnecessary activation when voltage is stable.
2Reliability
If the charge pump continues to pump until target voltage is reached, then the output voltage can be maintained at or near target value, but the pump fails to quickly recover from rapid voltage breakdown after extended inactivity
Solution Approach 1:
By asserting the enable signal in advance of when the output voltage actually drops below the target threshold, the regulator ensures the charge pump is already active and ready to respond immediately to voltage changes, eliminating recovery delays after extended inactivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anticipatory enable signal keeps the charge pump running continuously through periods when conventional regulation would allow it to remain inactive, ensuring uninterrupted voltage maintenance and rapid response capability without actual continuous high-power operation.
3Reliability
If the charge pump is activated periodically to maintain target voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but power consumption increases during extended inactive periods
Solution Approach 1:
The regulator uses feedback from the output voltage monitor to intelligently control the enable signal, activating the charge pump only when voltage drift is detected rather than using fixed periodic activation. This feedback-driven approach maintains voltage stability while minimizing unnecessary power consumption during truly stable inactive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The regulation system dynamically adjusts the enable signal timing based on actual voltage conditions rather than following a fixed periodic schedule. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain stability when needed while conserving energy during extended periods when voltage remains stable.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to regulators for charge pumps. Such regulators selectively activate a charge pump based not only on the voltage output of the charge pump, but also on an series of wake-up pulses that are delivered at predetermined time intervals and which are delivered independently of the voltage output of the charge pump. Hence, these wake-up pulses prevent extended periods of time in which the charge pump is inactive, thereby helping to prevent latch-up in some situations.