Cross-Coupled Charge Pump for 1/3 and 2/3 Ratios

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charge pumps require a large number of switches and capacitors to achieve discrete power conversion ratios, leading to inefficiencies and increased size, particularly when trying to achieve ratios like 1/3 or 2/3, which limits their performance and power efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The use of cross-coupling capacitors between switching networks, operated with different clock signals of the same frequency but differing in phase, reduces the number of switches and capacitors needed while maintaining identical circuit topologies, allowing for more efficient power conversion by coupling flying capacitors and switches in various configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional charge pumps use multiple switching networks with flying capacitors to achieve discrete power conversion ratios, then the desired power conversion ratios (e.g., 1/3, 2/3) can be achieved, but the number of switches and capacitors increases significantly, leading to increased device complexity and reduced power efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion ratioVSAvoidnumber of switches and capacitors

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple switching networks by introducing cross-coupling capacitors that connect corresponding flying capacitors between different switching networks. This allows the networks to share capacitor elements and reduces the total number of switches required, while maintaining the ability to achieve discrete power conversion ratios through coordinated switching operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-coupling capacitors serve multiple functions: they act as flying capacitors in their own switching network, provide coupling between switching networks, and enable energy transfer between networks. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count while maintaining the required power conversion capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional charge pumps use multiple switching networks with flying capacitors to achieve discrete power conversion ratios, then the desired power conversion ratios (e.g., 1/3, 2/3) can be achieved, but power efficiency decreases due to increased losses from additional switches and capacitors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion ratioVSAvoidpower efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By merging switching networks through cross-coupling capacitors, the patent reduces the total number of switching operations and capacitor charge/discharge cycles required, thereby reducing energy losses associated with additional components and improving overall power efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional charge pumps use multiple switching networks with flying capacitors to achieve discrete power conversion ratios, then the desired power conversion ratios (e.g., 1/3, 2/3) can be achieved, but the circuit size increases, leading to larger device area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conversion ratioVSAvoidcircuit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple switching networks by introducing cross-coupling capacitors that connect corresponding flying capacitors between different switching networks. This allows the networks to share capacitor elements and reduces the total number of switches required, while maintaining the ability to achieve discrete power conversion ratios through coordinated switching operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cross-coupling capacitors serve multiple functions: they act as flying capacitors in their own switching network, provide coupling between switching networks, and enable energy transfer between networks. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count while maintaining the required power conversion capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10897195B2Apparatus and method for charge pump power conversion

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 ENDURA IP HLDG LTD

AI summary

Present invention is an apparatus and method for power conversion charge pumps that uses cross-coupling capacitors. High efficiency power converter charge pump for both divide by 3 (⅓), divide by 3/2 (⅔) are explicitly discussed. The power conversion charge pumps utilizing cross coupled capacitors may provide up to 40% reduction in a number of switches required for a charge pump implementation, thus reducing design area cost while also resulting in high-efficiency performance.