Redundant Charge Pump Switching for Reliable On-Chip High Voltage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated high voltage generation circuits face challenges in providing a reliable high voltage source without significantly increasing circuit area, especially when testing for proper operation, due to the critical nature of charge pump capacitors and the need for extensive screening processes.
Innovation Solution
A duplicated, auto-redundant charge pump circuitry is implemented with two charge pump modules, where one module is active while the other is in a high impedance state, and a digital controller monitors the active module's status to automatically switch to the other if it becomes non-functional, using a resistive divider to compare voltages and a delay mechanism to ensure stable output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single charge pump module is used for high voltage generation, then circuit area is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to single point of failure
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump system is divided into multiple independent modules (first charge pump module and second charge pump module), each capable of independently generating high voltage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one module fails, thus improving reliability while keeping each module's area compact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different functional states - one charge pump module is active while the other is in high impedance state. The active module provides high voltage generation while the standby module remains inactive but ready, allowing reliable operation with minimal area occupation at any given moment.
2Reliability
If redundant charge pump modules are implemented, then reliability is improved through automatic switching capability, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charge pump modules share common control circuitry, including the digital controller, voltage dividers, and switching infrastructure. This merging of common functions reduces the total area required compared to having completely separate redundant systems, while still providing reliability through modular redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump modules are designed with universal functionality - both modules can perform the same high voltage generation task. The control system universally manages both modules, enabling automatic switching between them based on operational status, thus providing reliability without requiring specialized separate systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive screening processes are applied to charge pump capacitors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased testing time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation by monitoring operational status in real-time during normal operation. The digital controller continuously checks whether high voltage output is maintained within expected ranges, enabling early detection of capacitor degradation or failure without requiring extensive separate screening processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump system performs self-diagnosis through built-in monitoring - the digital controller detects when a module fails to maintain proper high voltage output and automatically switches to the standby module. This self-service capability reduces the need for external screening while maintaining quality through operational feedback.
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
This approach reduces the likelihood of total failure by ensuring redundancy without extensive screening, maintaining circuit area efficiency and reliability, and allows for automatic switching between modules to maintain high voltage generation.
Implementation Method 1
charge pumps operate on the principle of transferring electric charge from one capacitor to another
Implementation Method 2
using a resistive divider to compare voltages
Data Source
AI summary
An auto-redundant high voltage generating circuitry and a method to generate a high voltage to a low DC current load is provided. The circuitry incudes a digital controller and two charge pump modules each comprising a charge pump. The high voltage is generated by having either one of the two charge pump modules active at a time. Each charge pump module is configured to have its output in a high impedance state whenever the respective charge pump module is inactive, and to provide a status information signal that indicates whether the active charge pump module is functional. The digital controller monitors the active charge pump module's status information signal, and automatically switches to the other charge pump module to produce the high voltage if the status information signal indicates that the currently active charge pump module is not functional.