Charge Pump Switching With Voltage Matching to Prevent BV
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Solution Overview
Problem
The risk of breakdown voltage (BV) occurs when the connection mode of pump circuits in memory devices is changed, such as from serial to parallel mode, due to sudden short circuits between nodes with different voltages, posing a threat to system stability.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump system that includes a plurality of pump circuits, switches, and a stage control circuit, which senses node voltages and adjusts the connection mode by turning off and on switches only when the node voltages match, preventing sudden voltage level discrepancies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the connection mode of pump circuits is changed (e.g., from serial to parallel mode), then the adaptability of the charge pump system is improved, but the risk of breakdown voltage increases due to sudden short circuits between nodes with different voltages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping potential nodes with voltage matching circuits that proactively equalize voltages before the switching operation. The control circuit detects voltage differences between nodes and pre-charges or pre-discharges them to match voltages before the switch connects them, thereby preventing breakdown voltage risks while enabling connection mode changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses voltage matching circuits as intermediary components between nodes with different voltages. These circuits act as mediators that gradually equalize voltage differences through controlled charging/discharging paths, preventing direct sudden short circuits when switching between serial and parallel modes
2Adaptability or versatility
If switches are added to control connection modes, then the adaptability of the charge pump system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to detect voltage differences between nodes and to control the switching operations. This universal control circuit reduces overall device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated unit rather than requiring separate dedicated circuits for each function
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a charge pump system includes turning off a second switch connected to a first switch and a third switch, in order to change, from a first mode to a second mode, a connection mode between a plurality of pump circuits, turning on the first switch in response to node voltages at both ends of the first switch matching each other, and turning on the third switch in response to node voltages at both ends of the third switch matching each other, in which the first switch to the third switch may be connected among the plurality of pump circuits.