Charge Pumping Circuit Phase-Shifted Clock Peak Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional charge pumping circuits in DRAMs consume excessive peak current and have layout inefficiencies due to the simultaneous operation of multiple high-voltage pumps, which deteriorates operational characteristics and complicates circuit layout.
Innovation Solution
A charge pumping circuit that reduces the number of simultaneously operating high-voltage pumps by using a phase-shifted clock signal to sequentially operate high-voltage pumps in different regions, with each pump receiving a clock signal with a different phase, allowing for improved peak current management and layout optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple high-voltage pumps operate simultaneously to pump high voltage Vpp, then the high voltage supply capability is improved, but the peak current consumption becomes extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by sequentially activating high-voltage pumps in different regions according to a phased clock signal. Instead of all pumps operating simultaneously, they are activated in sequences (first region, then region 2, then region 3), which maintains the necessary high voltage supply capability while distributing the current draw over time, thereby reducing peak current consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the operation of high-voltage pumps by dividing them into different groups corresponding to different regions, each controlled by a separate phased clock signal. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary subset of pumps at any given time, maintaining power supply capability while reducing overall peak current consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple high-voltage pumps are configured in different regions, then the high voltage supply coverage is improved, but the circuit layout becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single oscillator circuit that generates multiple phased clock signals to control all high-voltage pumps across different regions. This multi-functional oscillator replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate control circuits, thereby maintaining wide high voltage supply coverage while simplifying the overall circuit layout and reducing component count.
3Device complexity
If all high-voltage pumps receive the same clock signal, then the control circuit is simple, but the peak current is extremely high due to simultaneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static, uniform clock signal into dynamic, phased clock signals with different time offsets. The oscillator generates clock signals that are sequentially delayed for different regions, creating a time-varying control pattern that staggers pump activation. This dynamic approach reduces peak current while maintaining relatively simple control circuitry based on a single oscillator.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pumping circuit consumes less current by reducing the number of charge pumps operating simultaneously. The charge pumping circuit includes a voltage sensor that detects a level of a high voltage and outputs a control signal based on the detection result. An oscillator provides an oscillating clock signal in response to the control signal of the voltage sensor, and the oscillator sequentially outputs the clock signal as a plurality of clock signals having shifted phases A plurality of high-voltage pumps are disposed in a plurality of regions to pump the high voltage in response to the clock signals and a different phase is designated for each region.