Shared Booster Charge Pump Circuit for Area Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump circuits require multiple booster circuit units to generate both positive and negative voltage signals, leading to increased circuit area and higher costs, which is a concern for reducing chip size and integration in semiconductor technology.
Innovation Solution
The charge pump circuit design includes a shared booster circuit unit that alternates between positive and negative voltage output through switch circuits controlled by enable signals, allowing the positive and negative pump transfer units to share the booster circuit, thereby reducing the number of booster circuit units needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate booster circuit units are used for positive and negative voltage generation, then voltage signal quality is improved, but circuit area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the positive and negative booster circuit units into a single shared booster circuit unit. This booster circuit unit can alternately provide boosting signals to both the positive pump transfer unit and the negative pump transfer unit through switching control, thereby reducing the overall circuit area while maintaining the functionality of generating both positive and negative voltage signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared booster circuit unit is designed to perform multiple functions by alternately serving both the positive and negative voltage generation paths. Through control signals that switch between different operating modes, the single booster circuit unit can provide boosting signals to either the positive pump transfer unit or the negative pump transfer unit as needed, achieving multi-functionality with a single component.
2Reliability
If multiple booster circuit units are used, then voltage generation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple booster circuit units into a single shared unit that can alternately serve both positive and negative voltage generation functions. This reduces the number of components and simplifies the overall circuit structure while maintaining the reliability of voltage generation through controlled alternating operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared booster circuit unit employs dynamic switching control to alternate between serving the positive pump transfer unit and the negative pump transfer unit. Control signals dynamically change the operating state of the booster circuit unit, enabling it to adaptively provide boosting signals to different parts of the circuit as needed, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If a shared booster circuit unit is used, then circuit area is reduced, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shared booster circuit unit operates through periodic alternating action, switching between serving the positive and negative pump transfer units in regular cycles. This periodic operation is controlled by sequentially activated control signals that enable the booster circuit unit to systematically alternate its function, reducing circuit area while managing control complexity through regular, predictable switching patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism ensures continuous useful action by maintaining the alternating operation of the shared booster circuit unit. The control signals are designed to seamlessly transition between enabling the positive and negative paths, ensuring that the booster circuit unit is continuously providing useful boosting signals to one of the two paths without interruption, thereby maintaining voltage generation effectiveness while using a single unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump unit structure of a charge pump circuit includes a booster circuit unit, a positive pump transfer unit and a negative pump transfer unit. An output terminal of the booster circuit unit is connected to an input terminal of the positive pump transfer unit through a first switch circuit and to an input terminal of the negative pump transfer unit through a second switch circuit. An erase enable signal is connected to control terminals of the positive and negative pump transfer units. A first enable signal is connected to control terminals of the positive pump transfer unit and the first switch circuit. A second enable signal is connected to control terminals of the negative pump transfer unit and the second switch circuit.