Mixed Charge Pump Voltage Regulation for 3D NAND
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional charge pump circuits face inefficiencies in power consumption and rise time due to regulating at the highest required voltage for multiple capacitive loads with different target voltages, particularly in 3D NAND architecture with high capacitive loading.
Innovation Solution
A mixed charge pump scheme employing multiple charge pumps with voltage and current coupling to regulate outputs based on a reference voltage, allowing one charge pump to operate at a lower voltage, reducing power expenditure and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single charge pump circuit is used to charge multiple capacitive loads with different target voltages, then the charge pump can provide charge to all loads, but it must be regulated at the highest target voltage causing excessive power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single charge pump circuit into multiple parallel charge pump circuits, where each charge pump is assigned to serve specific capacitive loads with matching target voltages. This segmentation allows each charge pump to operate at its optimal voltage level rather than all charge pumps operating at the highest voltage, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to charge multiple loads.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single charge pump circuit is regulated at the highest target voltage, then all capacitive loads can be charged, but the rise time is increased due to excessive power expenditure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the charge pump system into multiple parallel circuits operating at different voltage levels, each charge pump can rapidly charge its assigned loads without the time penalty of charging through excessive voltage stages. This reduces the overall rise time while maintaining universal charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each charge pump circuit is configured with specific local characteristics (voltage level, pumping capacity) matched to the requirements of its assigned capacitive loads. This local optimization ensures that each charge pump operates at the most efficient point for its specific task, improving overall system response time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single charge pump circuit operates at the highest voltage, then it can charge all capacitive loads, but the number of stages required increases leading to higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charge pump functionality across multiple parallel circuits, where each circuit has fewer stages optimized for its specific voltage level. This reduces the maximum number of stages any single charge pump must traverse, simplifying the device structure while maintaining the ability to charge all capacitive loads through the parallel configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for mixed charge pumps with voltage regulator circuits is disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a first charge pump circuit configured to provide a first voltage, a second charge pump circuit configured to provide a second voltage, a plurality of coupling circuits configured to voltage couple and current couple the first voltage and the second voltage to a common node to provide a regulated voltage, and a feedback circuit configured to regulate the first voltage and the second voltage based on the regulated voltage.