Dual Charge Pump Circuit for Flexible Voltage Levels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices face increased power consumption and thermal dissipation due to higher output power requirements for RF signals, necessitating an efficient and flexible power management circuit (PMC) to improve performance.
Innovation Solution
A dual charge pump (DCP) structure within the PMC, comprising switch networks and capacitors, allows for multiple voltage levels by varying the coupling configurations during charging and discharging phases, utilizing field-effect transistors or microelectromechanical system switches controlled by a switch controller to optimize power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher output power of RF signals is used to achieve higher data rates, then wireless communication performance is improved, but power consumption and thermal dissipation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit dynamically switches between different capacitor configurations (series and parallel) during charging and discharging phases, allowing the output voltage to be adjusted in real-time. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the circuit to provide higher voltage levels when needed while maintaining efficiency, directly addressing the need for dynamic power adjustment to support higher data rates without proportionally increasing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit changes its electrical parameters by switching capacitors between series and parallel connections, thereby altering the effective capacitance and voltage multiplication factor. During charging, capacitors are connected in series to charge at battery voltage, while during discharging, they can be reconfigured to output half, 1.5, 2, or 3 times the battery voltage. This parameter changing capability allows optimization of power delivery for different operational requirements.
2Power
If a conventional charge pump circuit is used, then voltage multiplication is achieved, but the circuit lacks flexibility in providing multiple voltage levels
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump circuit is segmented into multiple independent capacitor units (first capacitor and second capacitor) that can be individually controlled and reconfigured. Each capacitor can be connected in different configurations through switch networks, allowing the circuit to provide multiple discrete voltage levels (0.5x, 1.5x, 2x, or 3x battery voltage) rather than a single fixed multiplication ratio. This segmentation enables versatile voltage level selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual charge pump circuit is designed to perform multiple functions by providing a universal voltage multiplication capability that covers a wide range of voltage levels. The same basic circuit structure can output half, 1.5, 2, or 3 times the battery voltage depending on the switching configuration, making it a multi-functional power management solution that replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate charge pump circuits.
3Device complexity
If the capacitor configuration is fixed during charging and discharging, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but the ability to provide multiple voltage levels is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit employs dynamic reconfiguration of capacitor connections through controlled switching during different operational phases. During the charging phase, capacitors are connected in series between battery terminal and ground. During the discharging phase, the switch controller reconfigures the capacitors to connect in various arrangements (series or parallel between different terminals) to achieve the desired output voltage level. This dynamic approach maintains reasonable circuit simplicity while enabling multiple voltage levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump operates in periodic cycles with distinct charging and discharging phases. During each charging phase, capacitors are configured in series between battery and ground. During each discharging phase, the configuration changes based on the desired output voltage level. This periodic switching between configurations allows the circuit to maintain simplicity during each phase while achieving versatility through the alternating patterns of connection.
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 DCP structure enhances power efficiency by providing flexible voltage levels, such as half, 1.5 times, 2 times, or 3 times the battery voltage, improving overall performance and reducing power consumption in mobile communication devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor and a second capacitor, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor are electrically coupled in series between a battery terminal and a ground terminal or electrically coupled in parallel between the battery terminal and the ground terminal during a charging phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a power management circuit (PMC) with a dual charge pump (DCP) structure. The DCP structure includes a first switch network having a first capacitor, a second switch network having a second capacitor, and a connection switch coupled between the first switch network and the second switch network. Herein, the first capacitor and the second capacitor are electrically coupled in series between a battery terminal and a ground terminal or electrically coupled in parallel between the battery terminal and the ground terminal during a charging phase. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are electrically coupled in series between the battery terminal and a pump output terminal, or electrically coupled in parallel between the battery terminal and the pump output terminal, or electrically coupled in parallel between the ground terminal and the pump output terminal during a discharging phase.