Charge Pump Voltage Generator With Staggered Startup Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The excessive peak current generated by multiple charge pump circuits in electronic devices can cause damage to electronic components during power-up, as existing technologies do not effectively manage the simultaneous activation of these circuits.
Innovation Solution
A voltage generator and method that includes a first and second charge pump circuit, an oscillator, and a passing circuit with a voltage detector, where the second charge pump circuit remains deactivated until the passing circuit transmits a clock signal, allowing peak currents from both circuits to be generated at different time points, thereby preventing component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charge pump circuits are enabled simultaneously during power-up, then the electronic device can generate multiple different voltages needed for operation, but excessive peak current is generated that can damage electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling charge pump circuits sequentially rather than simultaneously. The first charge pump circuit is enabled before the second charge pump circuit, allowing the system to prepare voltage generation in a controlled sequence. This prevents excessive peak current by staggering the activation timing of multiple charge pump circuits while still achieving the capability to generate multiple different voltages needed for electronic device operation.
2Speed
If the second charge pump circuit is activated immediately, then voltage generation speed is improved, but the peak current from both circuits combines to cause component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the voltage generation process into separate stages corresponding to different charge pump circuits. The first charge pump circuit operates in an initial stage, and the second charge pump circuit operates in a subsequent stage. This temporal segmentation allows voltage generation to proceed at high speed through parallel circuit architecture while preventing component damage by ensuring circuits are activated in distinct time intervals rather than simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If charge pump circuits are enabled in sequence at different time points, then peak current is reduced preventing component damage, but the voltage generation process takes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a dynamic enabling mechanism where the activation of the second charge pump circuit is controlled based on the operational status of the first charge pump circuit. The control circuit monitors the first charge pump's operation and dynamically determines when to enable the second charge pump circuit, optimizing the balance between peak current reduction and voltage generation speed. This dynamic approach prevents excessive peak current while minimizing power-up time through intelligent timing control.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage generator and a voltage generating method are provided. The voltage generator includes at least one first charge pump circuit, at least one second charge pump circuit, an oscillator, a passing circuit, and a voltage detector. The first charge pump circuit is configured to receive a clock signal to generate a first pump voltage. The second charge pump circuit is configured to receive the clock signal to generate a first pump voltage. The oscillator is configured to provide the clock signal. The passing circuit is configured to receive the clock signal, a power-on detection signal and an external command. The voltage detector is configured to receive an operation voltage, and generate the power-on detection signal by detecting the operation voltage. The passing circuit determines whether to transmit the clock signal to the second charge pump circuit or not to activate or deactivate the second charge pump circuit.