Dual Charge Pump Calibration for Stable High-Voltage Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charge pump apparatuses in flash memories and EEPROMs face challenges in providing stable high-voltage pulses due to process variations, power input fluctuations, and load uncertainties, leading to unstable output voltages and insufficient driving currents, especially during high-speed operations.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump apparatus comprising a first and second charge pump system, a switch transistor, and a voltage regulation circuit, where the voltage regulation circuit adjusts a code signal to control the second charge pump system to achieve a target output voltage by increasing or decreasing the second boost voltage based on the output voltage, using a binary search algorithm to efficiently adjust the output voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If bypass capacitors are added to suppress output voltage ripples, then output voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is monitored and compared against a reference voltage. Based on this comparison, the control circuit adjusts the switching signals to the charge pump units, dynamically regulating the output voltage to maintain stability without requiring additional bypass capacitors. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by achieving voltage stability through active control rather than passive component addition.
2Productivity
If the charge pump apparatus operates at high speed to meet short operating time requirements, then productivity is improved, but output voltage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the charge pump operation by continuously monitoring the output voltage and adapting the switching frequency and duty cycle accordingly. The control circuit can increase the switching speed to meet high productivity requirements while simultaneously adjusting the voltage regulation to maintain stability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to operate at high speeds without sacrificing output voltage stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If process variation and power input fluctuation are compensated to improve output stability, then output voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor output voltage and automatically adjust operating parameters to compensate for process variations and power input fluctuations. By using the feedback signal from the output voltage comparison, the system dynamically adjusts the charge pump switching to maintain stable output despite external variations, resolving the contradiction without adding complex compensation circuits.
4Power
If multiple charge pump units are used to increase driving capability, then power output is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the charge pump into multiple independent charge pump units that can be selectively activated. The control circuit selectively enables or disables individual charge pump units based on the required driving capability and output voltage conditions. This segmentation allows the system to scale power output by activating only the necessary number of units, avoiding the complexity of always having all units operational while maintaining the capability to increase power when needed.
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
The solution ensures stable output voltages with reduced ripple amplitude, enabling sufficient driving currents for high-speed operations by adaptively controlling the switch transistor's conduction and efficiently determining suitable output currents and voltages in a short time period, thus addressing the limitations of existing charge pump designs.
Implementation Method 1
charge pump units are each composed of switches and capacitors to generate an output voltage higher than voltages provided by the power input
Implementation Method 2
charge pump units are each composed of switches and capacitors to generate an output voltage higher than voltages provided by the power input
Implementation Method 3
The switch transistor includes a control terminal receiving the second boost voltage, a first terminal receiving the first boost voltage, and a second terminal outputting the output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump apparatus includes a first charge pump system, a second charge pump system, a switch transistor, and a voltage regulation circuit. The first charge pump system converts a first supply voltage into a first boost voltage. The second charge pump system converts a second supply voltage into a second boost voltage. The switch transistor is coupled to the first charge pump system and the second charge pump system, and outputs an output voltage according to the second boost voltage. The switch transistor includes a control terminal receiving the second boost voltage, a first terminal receiving the first boost voltage, and a second terminal outputting the output voltage. The voltage regulation circuit successively adjusts a code of a voltage regulation signal according to the output voltage, in order to control the second charge pump system to successively adjust the second boost voltage according to the voltage regulation signal.