Inductor-Less Charge Pump for Low Noise Power Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable wireless communication products, such as cellular telephone handsets, face challenges in minimizing power consumption and spurious noise generation in their power supplies, especially when supporting multiple wireless communication protocols and operating modes.
Innovation Solution
An inductor-less direct current (DC) to DC converter, specifically a charge pump, is designed to operate efficiently across various modes with minimal spurious noise generation, utilizing a switch controller and phase generator to manage switches and adjust clock signal frequencies for optimal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional inductor-based DC-DC converters are used, then power conversion efficiency may be improved, but device complexity and spurious noise generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inductor component from the DC-DC converter circuit, extracting the noise-generating element while maintaining power conversion functionality through capacitor-based charge pumping. This eliminates magnetic field interference and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based inductor with an electric field-based capacitor system. This substitution eliminates the need for magnetic components, reducing device complexity and spurious noise while maintaining efficient power conversion through electrostatic charge pumping.
2Productivity
If switching frequency is increased to improve power delivery, then productivity increases, but spurious noise generation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the inductor, the patent eliminates the primary source of electromagnetic noise associated with high-frequency switching. The capacitor-based architecture allows for effective power delivery without the spurious noise typically generated by inductive switching at high frequencies.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless communication protocols are supported, then adaptability improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inductor-less DC-DC converter provides a universal power solution that efficiently supports multiple wireless communication protocols and operating modes. The capacitor-based architecture delivers consistent high efficiency across varying power demands, enabling adaptable protocol support without proportionally increasing power consumption.
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 achieves high efficiency and low power consumption while minimizing spurious noise, extending battery life and ensuring reliable operation across different wireless communication protocols and modes.
Implementation Method 1
a first capacitor and at least a second capacitor, each having first and second terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump includes an input, an output, and a fixed voltage node; a first capacitor and at least a second capacitor; and a plurality of switches adapted to selectively couple the first capacitor and the at least the second capacitor to the input, the output, and the fixed voltage node. A switch controller is adapted to switch the plurality of switches in response to at least three phase signals to provide fixed gains. A phase generator is adapted to generate the at least three phase signals, wherein at least one of the at least three phase signals has a duty cycle that is different from at least one other of the at least three phase signals. The phase generator is also adapted to adjust the frequency of a clock signal used to generate the at least three phase signals so that a minimum switching frequency is provided.