Charge-pump device and method of sequencing charge-pump switches
US6242970A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a method of operating a charge-pump, which may be implemented in IC devices such as digital signal processors (DSPs) and mixed signal analog circuits. The method includes the steps of charging a first capacitor, and then choosing between two switching sequences based on the relative values of the input voltage and the output voltage. When the input voltage is determined to be greater than the output voltage, the method applies a first switching sequence to discharge the first capacitor into a second capacitor by first partially discharging the first capacitor into the second capacitor, then fully discharging the first capacitor into the second capacitor. When the input voltage is determined to be less than or equal to the output voltage, the method uses a second switching sequence to prevent the discharge of the second capacitor into the first capacitor by electrically isolating the first capacitor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.