Regulated Charge Pump With Adaptive Drive for Small-Cap Ripple Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art regulated charge pumps require significant capacitance at the output terminal to reduce ripple, leading to increased integrated circuit area and operational delays, which complicates the generation of a stable output voltage.
Innovation Solution
A regulated charge pump with adaptive drive strength, utilizing both a first and second feedback loop with variable and fixed driving strengths, and an internal boost signal to dynamically adjust the number of active pumping stages based on load conditions, thereby reducing ripple and power consumption while maintaining small integrated circuit area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large integrated circuit capacitors are used to decrease ripple and generate stable output voltage, then output voltage stability is improved, but integrated circuit area increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump implements dynamic drive strength adjustment by enabling different numbers of pumping stages based on operating conditions. The system transitions from static capacitor sizing to dynamic pumping capability, where the charge pump can adapt its driving strength to match load requirements, thereby reducing the need for large output capacitors while maintaining voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the charge pump by varying the number of active pumping stages. This parameter adjustment allows the charge pump to provide variable drive strength, compensating for the reduced capacitance and maintaining stable output voltage without requiring large capacitors.
2Power
If more pumping stages are added to increase drive strength, then charging current capability is improved, but integrated circuit area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump uses dynamic stage enablement where the number of active pumping stages is adjusted based on load conditions. During high current demand, more stages are enabled to provide higher charging current. During low demand, fewer stages operate, reducing area utilization and power consumption while maintaining adequate performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs partial action by enabling only the necessary number of pumping stages required to meet the current load demand, rather than always operating all stages at full capacity. This approach provides sufficient charging current when needed while avoiding the area and power penalties of continuously operating all stages.
3Power
If more pumping stages are enabled to handle large load current spikes, then charging current capability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The charge pump dynamically adjusts the number of active pumping stages based on real-time load conditions. When large current spikes are detected, additional stages are enabled to provide the necessary charging current. When load demand is low, fewer stages remain active, reducing power consumption proportionally to the reduced operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by activating only the minimum number of pumping stages necessary to meet the instantaneous load demand. This prevents excessive power consumption that would occur if all stages operated continuously at full power, while still providing adequate current capability when spikes occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A regulated charge pump includes a comparator having a first input coupled to an output of the regulated charge pump, a second input configured for receiving a reference voltage, and an output for generating an output voltage representing a difference between a charging current of the regulated charge pump and a load current of a load coupled to the output of the regulated charge pump; a first converter having an input coupled to the output of the comparator, and an output connected to a control bus configured to indicate an adjustment of the charging current in response to the comparator output; and a driving stage having a first input coupled to the control bus, and an output for providing the charging current, wherein the output of the driving stage comprises the output of the regulated charge pump.