Series Charge Pump Circuits for IC Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for powering integrated circuits face challenges in meeting the diverse voltage and current requirements of sub-circuits due to the need for large inductors, which increase space requirements and are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of charge pump circuits with multiple capacitors, both internal and external to the integrated circuit, to transform power supply voltage and current to meet the specific requirements of different sub-circuits, including high current low voltage and low current high voltage charge pumps, configured in series and with regulation mechanisms to maintain output voltages and currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional inductors are used for voltage and current transformations on an IC, then voltage and current requirements of sub-circuits can be met, but the space requirements of the IC increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional magnetic inductors with a charge pump circuit using capacitors for voltage transformation. This substitution of magnetic field-based components with electric field-based components enables voltage multiplication without requiring large inductor areas on the IC, thus resolving the space constraint while maintaining voltage transformation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit dynamically adjusts capacitor charging and discharging parameters to achieve different voltage multiplication ratios. By changing the operating parameters of the charge pump (such as switching frequency and capacitor configuration), the circuit can provide different voltage and current levels to meet diverse sub-circuit requirements without changing the physical layout
2Device complexity
If a single power line is used to power all circuits on an IC, then the IC design is simplified, but the diverse voltage and current requirements of sub-circuits cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system by introducing separate charge pump circuits for different voltage requirements. Instead of using a single unified power line, the system divides power delivery into multiple independent paths, each tailored to specific voltage and current needs of different sub-circuits, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The charge pump circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as a voltage multiplier for high-voltage sub-circuits, provides current amplification for high-current sub-circuits, and can be configured in different modes to meet various power requirements. This multi-functionality allows a single power line architecture to support diverse voltage and current needs through the versatile charge pump
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 allows for efficient power conditioning within a compact footprint, reducing space requirements and effectively meeting the varied voltage and current needs of sub-circuits on a single integrated circuit, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing component size.
Implementation Method 1
The first charge pump comprises a plurality of first capacitors and the second charge pump comprises a plurality of second capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include charge pump circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a first charge pump receives a voltage and generates a first charge pump output voltage and current for supplying the power requirements of a circuit. A second charge pump is coupled in series with the first charge pump. The second charge pump generates a second charge pump output voltage and current for supplying different power requirements of the circuit. In one embodiment, the first charge pump provides a high current low voltage output to a first circuit and the second charge pump provides a low current high voltage output to a second circuit. Capacitors of the first charge pump may be external to an integrated circuit and capacitors of the second charge pump may be internal to the integrated circuit.