Switch-timing in a switched-capacitor power converter
AssigneepSemi Corporation
InventorsGregory Szczeszynski, David M. Giuliano, Raymond Barrett, Jr.
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Abstract
In a power converter, each gate-driving circuit uses charge from a selected pump capacitor operate a corresponding switch. The switches transitions between different states, each of which corresponds to a particular interconnection of pump capacitors. During clocked operations, the first switch closes, thereby establishing a connection with the first pump capacitor. Prior to the first switch closing, the second switch closes.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising a switched-capacitor power-converter, wherein said switched-capacitor power-converter comprises an input, an output, a first plurality of switches, a second plurality of switches, and gate-driving circuits, each of which corresponds to a switch from said first plurality of switches, wherein each gate-driving circuit uses charge from a selected pump capacitor from a plurality of pump capacitors to operate a corresponding one of said switches from said first plurality of switches, wherein said first plurality of switches comprises a first switch, wherein said second plurality of switches comprises a second switch, wherein, during clocked operation of said switched-capacitor power-converter, said first plurality of switches transitions between different states, each of which corresponds to a particular interconnection of said pump capacitors, said pump capacitors including a first pump capacitor, wherein, during clocked operations, said first switch closes, thereby establishing a connection with said first pump capacitor, wherein, prior to said first switch closing, said second switch closes, wherein as a result of closure of said second switch, said first pump capacitor is pre-charged by the time said first switch closes.
An apparatus comprising a switched-capacitor power-converter that comprises first and second pluralities of switches and gate-driving circuits corresponding to said switches in said first plurality of switches, said gate-driving circuits being configured to rely on charge on pump capacitors to cause said switches from said first plurality of switches to transition between states, wherein, said switched-capacitor power-converter undergoes clocked operation that consists of consecutive clock cycles during each of which a switch from said second plurality of switches connects to a first pump capacitor and then a first switch from said first plurality of switches connects to said first pump capacitor.
An apparatus comprising a switched-capacitor power-converter that comprises first and second pluralities of switches and gate-driving circuits corresponding to said switches in said first plurality of switches, said gate-driving circuits being configured to rely on charge stored on pump capacitors to cause said switches from said first plurality of switches to transition between states, wherein, said switched-capacitor power-converter undergoes clocked operation that consists of consecutive clock cycles, each of which includes a portion during which at most a second switch from said second plurality of switches is connected to said pump capacitors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.