Charge Pump Voltage Tiers for IC Noise and Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in reducing power consumption and enabling reliable communication between multiple voltage tiers in integrated circuits, particularly as transistor sizes decrease and system noise increases, requiring multiple level shifters for signal translation between non-adjacent tiers.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising charge pump and regulator circuits that balance current across multiple voltage tiers, and a series of capacitors for simultaneous data bit translation between tiers without the need for level shifters, allowing for efficient power management and communication across different voltage levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If multiple voltage tiers are used to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency improves, but system noise becomes a larger percentage of the power supply voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the power supply voltage into multiple discrete tiers (first voltage tier, second voltage tier, etc.), with each tier serving specific circuits. This segmentation allows current to be reused across tiers, reducing overall power consumption while isolating noise within each tier's operational range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Level shifters are introduced as intermediary components between different voltage tiers to translate signals. These level shifters enable communication between tiers operating at different voltage levels while maintaining signal integrity, addressing the noise issue by providing controlled signal transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional level shifters are used for signal translation between voltage tiers, then signal communication is enabled, but multiple level shifters are required for non-adjacent tiers increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal communicationVSAvoidnumber of level shifters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The level shifter is designed with multi-functionality to operate across multiple voltage tiers simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate level shifters for each adjacent tier pair, a single level shifter can translate signals between non-adjacent tiers by referencing multiple voltage references, thereby reducing the total number of level shifters needed in the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Power

If transistor sizes are reduced to enable lower power supply voltages, then power efficiency improves, but system noise becomes a larger percentage of the power supply voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply voltageVSAvoidsystem noise percentage

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates equipotential regions at different voltage tiers, with each tier maintaining a stable reference voltage. By establishing these equipotential levels through charge pump circuits and voltage references, the system ensures that noise remains localized and does not propagate across tiers, even as individual tier voltages are reduced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 solution reduces power consumption, enhances reliability, and facilitates faster communication between multiple voltage tiers by balancing current and using capacitors for data bit translation, eliminating the need for multiple level shifters and improving efficiency over traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a first charge pump having an input coupled to a positive power supply terminal and an output coupled to a second power supply terminal of the first circuit; a second charge pump having an input coupled to the first power supply terminal of the second circuit and an output coupled to a second power supply terminal of the second circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCharge pump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

A circuit for allowing communication between circuits of multiple voltage tiers includes a plurality of capacitors coupled together in series, where a capacitor of the series is coupled between the outputs of input/output circuits corresponding to each of the plurality of circuits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8476962B2System having multiple voltage tiers and method therefor

Publication Date: 2013.07.02 VLSI TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A system includes a first circuit, a first charge pump, a second circuit, and a second charge pump. The first circuit has a first power supply terminal coupled to a positive power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal. The first charge pump has an input coupled to positive power supply terminal and an output coupled to the second power supply terminal of the first circuit. The second circuit has a first power supply terminal coupled the second power supply terminal of the first circuit and a second power supply terminal. The second charge pump has an input coupled to the first power supply terminal of the second circuit and an output coupled to the second power supply terminal of the second circuit.