Single Charge Pump Circuit for Multiple Switch Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charge pump circuits require multiple instances for each computer interface port, leading to inefficiencies and noise coupling from the charge pump to the switch circuit.
Innovation Solution
A charge pump circuit generates a constant voltage that powers a bias circuit, which produces a reference current used to generate switch currents, minimizing noise coupling and allowing a single charge pump circuit to supply constant gate-source voltages to multiple switch circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple charge pump circuits are used for each computer interface port, then each port can have its own voltage supply, but the number of charge pump circuits increases and noise coupling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple charge pump circuits into a single shared charge pump circuit that supplies voltage to multiple switch circuits through a common voltage node. This consolidation reduces the total number of charge pump circuits while maintaining voltage supply reliability to all connected switch circuits through the shared power rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The single charge pump circuit is designed to serve multiple functions by providing voltage supply to multiple different switch circuits simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows one charge pump circuit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate charge pump circuits, each dedicated to a single port.
2Ease of operation
If multiple charge pump circuits are used for each computer interface port, then each port has dedicated voltage control, but noise coupling from charge pump to switch circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common voltage node as an intermediary between the charge pump circuit and multiple switch circuits. This intermediary node acts as a buffer that decouples the direct connection, reducing noise coupling while still allowing voltage control. The shared voltage rail provides isolation that prevents direct noise transmission from the charge pump to individual switch circuits.
3Device complexity
If a single charge pump circuit supplies voltage to multiple switch circuits, then the number of charge pump circuits is reduced, but voltage distribution to multiple circuits is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage distribution function by creating a hierarchical structure where a single charge pump circuit provides voltage to a common node, which then distributes voltage to multiple switch circuits. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity at the charge pump level while providing versatile voltage distribution to multiple destinations through the shared voltage rail.
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 configuration reduces the number of charge pump circuits needed and minimizes noise interference, enabling efficient and constant voltage supply to multiple switch circuits.
Implementation Method 1
Charge pump circuits convert a direct-current (DC) voltage from one level to another
Data Source
AI summary
A charge pump circuit generates a charge pump voltage that powers a bias circuit. The bias circuit generates a reference current and generates switch currents from the reference current. Gate-source voltages are generated from the switch currents and applied to switching components of switch circuits to connect two nodes. The gate-source voltages can be generated in the bias circuit and provided to the switch circuits. The gate-source voltages can also be generated in the switch circuits.