Cascaded Charge Pump Voltage Amplifier With Fewer Capacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage amplifiers for electronic devices often require multiple capacitors, leading to inefficiencies in area usage and signal noise ratio, and struggle with parasitic capacitance-induced degradation in signal linearity.
Innovation Solution
A voltage amplifier system utilizing cascaded charge pump boosting with a differential amplifier and two capacitors, along with a set of switches, to achieve efficient voltage amplification while compensating for parasitic capacitance effects, thereby reducing the number of capacitors needed and improving signal linearity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple capacitors are used in voltage amplifiers, then voltage amplification capability is improved, but area usage increases and signal noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple capacitor functions into a single capacitor by using a differential amplifier that can operate in different modes. The same capacitor serves multiple purposes: as a charge storage element, as part of the amplification mechanism, and as a noise filtering element. This merging reduces the total number of capacitors from multiple to just one, thereby reducing area usage while maintaining voltage amplification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential amplifier is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware components. It can operate as a high-gain amplifier, a voltage follower, or a charge pump depending on the switching configuration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate capacitors for different amplification stages, reducing overall area usage while preserving amplification capability.
2Power
If multiple capacitors are used in voltage amplifiers, then voltage amplification capability is improved, but signal noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple capacitor functions into a single capacitor used with a differential amplifier, the patent reduces the total parasitic capacitance in the circuit. Fewer capacitors mean fewer sources of noise and interference. The single capacitor is strategically positioned and sized to provide necessary charge storage while minimizing noise generation, thereby improving signal noise ratio while maintaining amplification capability.
3Measurement precision
If complex high-gain amplifiers are used, then voltage amplification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic differential amplifier that can switch between different operating modes (high-gain mode and voltage follower mode) based on the input signal characteristics and circuit requirements. This dynamic operation allows the amplifier to achieve high voltage amplification accuracy when needed while maintaining simplicity and low power consumption in other operating conditions. The switching mechanism enables the same simple circuit to deliver complex performance only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The differential amplifier's gain parameter is dynamically adjusted through switching configurations rather than using a permanently complex high-gain architecture. By changing the operational parameters (gain, input impedance, output impedance) of a simple amplifier circuit, the patent achieves high voltage amplification accuracy without requiring a permanently complex device structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity and power consumption.
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
This approach enables accurate voltage amplification with improved area efficiency and signal linearity, reducing power consumption and eliminating the need for complex high-gain amplifiers, making it suitable for various electronic devices, including memory systems.
Implementation Method 1
storing, by a first capacitor, first electrical charges corresponding to the input voltage to obtain a second voltage
Implementation Method 2
amplifying the second voltage according to the first electrical charges stored by the first capacitor to obtain a third voltage
Implementation Method 3
storing, by a second capacitor, second electrical charges corresponding to the third voltage
Implementation Method 4
amplifying the third voltage according to the second electrical charges stored by the second capacitor to obtain a fourth voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A method of amplifying an input voltage based on cascaded charge pump includes generating, at a set of capacitors, an input voltage corresponding to input data. The method further includes storing, by a first capacitor, first electrical charges corresponding to the input voltage to obtain a second voltage. The method further includes amplifying, a voltage amplifier, the second voltage according to the first electrical charges stored by the first capacitor to obtain a third voltage. The method further includes storing, by a second capacitor, second electrical charges according to the third voltage. The method further includes amplifying, by the voltage amplifier, the third voltage according to the second electrical charges stored by the second capacitor to obtain a fourth voltage.