Charge Pump Segmentation for Dynamic Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage/current sources, such as charge pumps, face inefficiencies in regulating output voltage due to unpredictable load currents in non-volatile memory devices, leading to potential saturation and inadequate voltage supply during programming or erasing operations.
Innovation Solution
A load adjustment circuit with a control unit that monitors power supply and adjusts load properties, such as size or impedance, to maintain optimal power consumption within the source's capacity, preventing overload and ensuring efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the charge pump is designed to supply high current to multiple NVM cells, then the voltage supply capability is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit is divided into multiple independent pumping units (first pumping unit, second pumping unit, etc.), each capable of supplying current to different groups of NVM cells. This segmentation allows the system to scale power capability by activating only the necessary units, avoiding the complexity of designing a single high-capacity pump.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active pumping units based on the actual current requirements of the NVM cells. The controller activates or deactivates specific pumping units according to the programming or erasing operation needs, optimizing the balance between power supply capability and power consumption.
2Reliability
If the charge pump operates at high power to meet peak current demands, then the voltage supply reliability is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump system dynamically adjusts its operating power level by activating or deactivating pumping units based on real-time current demands. During peak operations (programming/erasing), more units are activated to ensure reliable voltage supply. During normal operations, fewer units are activated to improve energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (number of active pumping units) according to the operational state of the NVM device. This allows the charge pump to adapt its power consumption to match the actual load requirements, maintaining reliability while optimizing energy efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the regulator adjusts the charge pump output according to load current requirements, then the voltage regulation precision is improved, but the response time deteriorates due to saturation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The controller predicts the current requirements of NVM cells based on operational characteristics and proactively activates the appropriate number of pumping units before the actual current demand occurs. This preliminary action prevents saturation delays and ensures immediate voltage regulation response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the operational state of NVM cells and the performance of pumping units to continuously adjust the configuration. This feedback mechanism allows the controller to optimize the balance between voltage regulation precision and response time by adapting to changing load conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A load adjustment circuit and a method for adjusting a load are provided. The circuit may include a power source to supply power to a load, and a control unit to control a property of the load. The control unit may be adapted to adjust a property of the load based on a signal received from the power source. The method may include supplying power to a load and adjusting a property of the load to decrease the power supplied to the load if the power supplied to the load is greater than a maximum threshold.