Charge Pump Circuit for Symmetrical Dual Power Supply Rails
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump circuits generate dual power supply rails with uneven current capability, leading to lopsided power delivery and inefficiency in low voltage/low power applications, and fail to provide symmetric power supplies required for balanced circuit operation.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump circuit with a control circuit that selectively couples multiple switches and capacitors through at least three phases of configuration, shifting reference voltages to generate symmetrical dual power supply rails centered around ground, ensuring balanced power delivery and dynamic range for processing alternating current signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a charge pump circuit generates dual power supply rails by doubling the voltage range to +/-Vin, then the circuit can provide both positive and negative power supply rails, but the current capability becomes uneven and power delivery becomes lopsided
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit is divided into two independent charge pump circuits, each generating one of the dual power supply rails. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for symmetric current delivery, resolving the lopsided power delivery issue while maintaining dual supply capability
Solution Approach 2:
Two charge pump circuits are combined to work together in parallel, with each circuit contributing to the generation of dual power supply rails. This merging approach distributes the current delivery load evenly, achieving symmetric power delivery while providing both positive and negative voltage rails
2Adaptability or versatility
If a charge pump circuit doubles the voltage range to +/-Vin, then dual power supply rails are provided, but power is wasted in low voltage/low power applications that do not require this range
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit incorporates dynamic control mechanisms that allow the voltage rail range to be adjusted based on application requirements. The circuit can operate in different modes (single supply or dual supply, different voltage ranges) to match the actual needs of the load, eliminating wasted power in low voltage applications
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit parameters (voltage levels, switching frequencies, capacitor values) are made changeable to adapt to different operating conditions. This allows the charge pump to provide only the necessary voltage range required by the application, reducing energy loss while maintaining the capability to provide dual power supply rails when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If asymmetric power supply loading occurs in a charge pump circuit, then dual power supply rails are generated, but the operation of circuits requiring symmetric power supplies is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the loading conditions on each power supply rail and dynamically adjust the operation of the two charge pump circuits to maintain symmetric power delivery. This feedback control ensures that circuits requiring symmetric power supplies operate correctly while still providing dual power supply capability
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
The solution achieves symmetrical supply rails with equal voltage differences, improving power delivery and dynamic range, particularly for audio and RF signals, by balancing charge transfer between capacitors, thus addressing the inefficiencies and asymmetries in prior art charge pump circuits.
Implementation Method 1
switching capacitor that transfer a stored charge
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit comprises a plurality of terminals, a plurality of switches for selectively coupling the plurality of terminals, and a control circuit. A first input terminal receives a first reference voltage and a second input terminal receives a second reference voltage. First, second, third, and fourth flying capacitor terminals and the first and second input terminals are selectively coupled together in different configurations. The control circuit selects the switches to actuate according to a cycling of at least three phases of configuration. The cycling shifts the first and second reference voltages to provide dual power supply rails.