Charge Pump Voltage Buildup Delay Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low power systems, charge pump circuits face challenges in rapidly generating high voltages needed for memory data read operations, leading to suppressed readout data signals due to insufficient pass gate voltages, which can result in incorrect data reception by sense amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus and method that utilize a standby power signal to assist the power supply, enabling the maintenance of an output power signal during idle or standby states by selectively charging a power converter with reference signals, thereby reducing the time spent building up internal voltage and minimizing standby current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If charge pump circuit constructs more stages to supply high voltage in low power system, then high voltage can be achieved, but time to build up internal voltage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the charge pump circuit stages during idle periods using a pre-charge signal. This allows the internal voltage to be built up in advance before read operations begin, eliminating the voltage buildup delay during actual data reading while maintaining the required high voltage levels for proper pass gate operation
2Stress or pressure
If charge pump circuit is used to generate high voltage, then high voltage can be obtained, but read out data signal is suppressed due to insufficient pass gate voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures reliable data signal transmission by pre-charging the charge pump stages before read operations. This preliminary voltage establishment ensures that pass gates have sufficient voltage levels ready when data reading begins, preventing signal suppression and ensuring accurate data detection by sense amplifiers
3Loss of time
If standby power supply is used to maintain output power signal, then time spent to build up internal voltage is reduced, but standby current increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using a counter to track the number of times the standby power supply has operated and only enabling pre-charge functionality when a predetermined threshold is reached. This periodic pre-charging approach maintains voltage readiness only when necessary, significantly reducing standby current consumption while still ensuring timely voltage availability for read operations
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 allows for immediate high voltage generation during read operations, ensuring accurate data transmission by maintaining sufficient voltage levels in charge pump stages, even during extended idle periods, and reduces power noise and die area requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The other method is using the charge pump circuit. The charge pump method takes smaller die area then the boost method, so do the power noise.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus and a method for supplying power are provided. The method includes: providing a first power supply for outputting a first power signal; providing a second power supply for outputting a second power signal; and selectively charging the second power supply by using the first power supply.