Integrated Power Supply Circuit Reducing Chip Size
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply ICs require separate components for DC/DC converters and charge pumps, leading to increased chip size and cost due to the need for additional transistors and external terminals.
Innovation Solution
A power supply circuit that integrates both DC/DC converters and charge pumps using a common driver and transistors, where the output switch of the DC/DC converter also functions as part of the charge transfer switch, reducing the number of transistors and terminals needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for DC/DC converter and charge pump, then functional independence is improved, but chip size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the DC/DC converter and charge pump into a single integrated circuit, sharing common components including transistors M101-M106, drivers DRV101 and DRV102, and external terminals T101-T108. This merging reduces chip size while maintaining both functions through shared hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The transistors and drivers are designed to serve multiple functions - the same transistor M101 can operate as part of the DC/DC converter in one mode and as part of the charge pump in another mode. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for DC/DC converter and charge pump, then functional independence is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging both power conversion functions into a single power supply IC with shared transistors, drivers, and terminals, the patent reduces the total component count and assembly complexity, leading to lower manufacturing costs despite maintaining functional independence.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal design where transistors and drivers serve both DC/DC conversion and charge pump functions reduces the bill of materials and simplifies production processes, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while preserving the ability to independently perform both functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional transistors and terminals are added, then functional capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the component sets of the DC/DC converter and charge pump, using the same transistors M101-M106 and drivers DRV101 and DRV102 for both functions. This consolidation reduces device complexity while maintaining the functional capability to perform both power conversion operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transistor and driver is designed with universal functionality to operate in both DC/DC converter mode and charge pump mode, eliminating the need for separate dedicated components and thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving full functional capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply circuit has: a DC/DC converter (M11, M12, L11, C11) which steps down an input voltage Vin to generate an output voltage Vout1 by rectifying and smoothing a pulsing switched voltage Vsw generated by turning on and off output switches (M11 and M12); and a charge pump (M11-M14, C12, C13) which steps up the input voltage Vin to generate an output voltage Vout2 by repeating charging and discharging of a charge accumulation capacitor (C12) by turning on and off charge transfer switches (M11-M14). First end of the charge accumulation capacitor is connected to a terminal from which the switched voltage Vsw is outputted. The output switches are also used as part of the charge transfer switches.