High voltage generating circuit and method

A high voltage generating circuit, comprising:

• a variable step-up means adapted to variably boost a high voltage responsive to a control signal and a first and second pulse signals, the first pulse signal having a phase opposing that of the second pulse signal, the first and second pulse signals being generated responsive to an active command;
• an active high voltage detecting means adapted to generate an active high voltage detecting signal responsive to detecting whether a level of the high voltage is lower than a predetermined level responsive, in turn, to the active command;
• and
• a variable capacitance control signal generating circuit adapted to vary a level of the control signal responsive to the active high voltage detecting signal and the active command.

A method of generating a high voltage, comprising:

• generating first and second pulse signals responsive to an active command;
• variably boosting a level of a high voltage responsive to a control signal and the first and second pulse signals;
• detecting the level of the high voltage responsive to the active command;
• and
• generating a high voltage detecting signal responsive to the detecting.