Patent · US Active

Charge pump with ramp rate control

US8120411B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
17References
18Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 31, 2009
Grant dateFeb 21, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 30, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02M1/36
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A charge pump circuit is provided that has a controllable ramp rate. The charge pump circuit may receive a control signal from a control circuit. The control signal may be asserted by the control circuit to turn on the charge pump circuit. When the charge pump circuit is turned on, the charge pump circuit produces an output voltage. The output voltage ramps up from an initial value to a desired target value. During the ramp up process, a ramp rate regulation circuit monitors the output voltage and ensures that the ramp rate does not exceed a desired maximum value. A capacitor may be charged at a desired ramp rate to use as a time-varying reference voltage. A feedback circuit may be used to maintain the output voltage at the desired target value once the ramp-up process is complete.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.