Voltage Conversion Circuit with Selective Unit Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage step-up circuits face challenges in achieving high voltage levels without exceeding voltage breakdown limits and suffer from increased power consumption and inefficiency as the number of connection steps increases, and existing solutions either compromise on speed or power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A voltage conversion circuit that includes a switcher to selectively use one or both of two voltage step-up units, with different configurations for each unit, allowing for efficient voltage step-up or step-down operations based on input voltage levels, using a combination of Dickson and cross-coupled type circuits to optimize power consumption and voltage step-up capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the number of connection steps of the transistor is increased to obtain high output voltage, then the voltage level is improved, but the internal voltage exceeds the voltage breakdown limit and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage step-up circuit is divided into multiple independent voltage step-up units, each with a limited number of transistor connection steps. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve high output voltage through series connection of multiple units without any single unit exceeding the voltage breakdown limit of its transistors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimensional approach (increasing steps in one circuit) to a multi-dimensional approach by connecting multiple voltage step-up units in series. This allows voltage multiplication across units while keeping each unit within safe operating parameters.
2Strength
If the number of connection steps of the transistor is increased to obtain high output voltage, then the voltage level is improved, but the current consumption is increased
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the voltage step-up function across multiple units with fewer steps each, the circuit reduces the threshold voltage losses that accumulate in long series connections. Each unit operates more efficiently with fewer transistor drops, improving overall power efficiency while achieving the same total voltage step-up.
3Strength
If the circuit configuration is changed to improve voltage step-up capability, then the voltage step-up capability is improved, but the operation speed becomes slow or power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit uses multiple voltage step-up units with fewer transistor steps each, which reduces the capacitive loading and RC time constants compared to a single long chain. This segmentation enables faster charging and discharging cycles, improving operation speed while maintaining voltage step-up capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the voltage step-up units through clock signals, allowing the circuit to adapt its operation mode. The dynamic switching between units optimizes both speed and power consumption based on operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a voltage conversion circuit includes a first voltage conversion unit stepping up or stepping down an input DC voltage and a second voltage conversion unit stepping up or stepping down an input DC voltage. A switcher is configured to switch between using both the first and second conversion units or just one of the first and second conversion units. The switcher can optionally be controlled according to an input voltage level such that both the first and second voltage conversion units can be used for a voltage step-up or voltage step-down operation or just one of the first and second voltage conversion units can be used.