Power Transistor Circuit With Internal Voltage Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power transistor circuits require an external terminal for generating and delivering internal voltage, which can be inconvenient and inefficient, especially in applications where space or power management is critical.
Innovation Solution
A power transistor circuit that generates an internal voltage supply using power applied to external terminals, incorporating a current draw transistor, diodes, a capacitor, and a charge pump to maintain consistent voltage without an external voltage terminal, allowing the circuit to operate other components like volatile memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external terminal is used for generating and delivering internal voltage, then the circuit can operate reliably, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the internal voltage generation function from the external terminal structure and relocates it within the circuit body. By incorporating a voltage generation circuit that utilizes the power supply voltage already present at the input terminal, the design eliminates the need for a separate external voltage terminal while maintaining reliable internal voltage supply for control nodes and other circuit components
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply terminal is made multi-functional by using it not only for providing operating current to the power transistor but also as a source for generating the internal voltage supply. The voltage generation circuit draws power from the input terminal's power supply voltage, allowing a single terminal to serve multiple purposes and reducing the total number of required terminals
2Reliability
If an external voltage terminal is added, then internal voltage can be supplied consistently, but the ease of operation and space efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage generation function with the existing power supply terminal by incorporating a voltage generation circuit within the circuit body. This circuit uses the power supply voltage already present at the input terminal to generate the required internal voltage, combining multiple functions into a single integrated structure that simplifies external connections while maintaining voltage consistency
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
Enables the power transistor circuit to supply a consistent internal voltage using only external power, eliminating the need for an external voltage terminal and ensuring continuous operation by switching between power sources based on control voltage states.
Implementation Method 1
a charge pump having a charge pump input node and a charge pump output node, the charge pump input node configured to, when powered, receive charge from the internal voltage supply node, pump the received charge to above a voltage of the internal voltage supply node, and output the pumped charge to the current draw transistor control node
Implementation Method 2
a first diode having a first diode anode and a first diode cathode, the first diode anode being connected to the power transistor control node and to the first terminal, the first diode cathode being connected to the internal voltage supply node
Implementation Method 3
a capacitor being connected to the internal voltage supply node
Data Source
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AI summary
A power transistor circuit suppling an internal voltage to an internal voltage supply node. The power transistor circuit includes external terminals, to each of which signals and/or voltages are applied, for each of the input node, output node and control node of the power transistor. The power transistor circuit includes the power transistor, a current draw transistor, a first diode connected between an external control terminal and the internal voltage supply node, and a second diode connected between the current draw transistor output node and the internal voltage supply node. The power transistor circuit includes a charge pump that receives power from the internal voltage supply node and outputs a voltage to the control node of the current draw transistor. In operation, the internal voltage supply node receives power from the external control terminal via the first diode, or an external input terminal via the current draw transistor and the second diode.