Distributed charge source
AssigneeMadrone Solutions, Inc.
InventorsJeffrey Van Myers, Michael L. Longwell, William Daune Atwell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, a plurality of atomic charge pumps (52, 54, 56) are connected together in series to form a distributed charge source (24). The atomic charge pumps (52, 54, 56) are operated sequentially over time to reduce supply signal noise. In addition, the distibuted charge source (24) is compatible with low power applications because each atomic charge pump (52, 54, 56) can be independently powered down if it is not required.
Claims22
In an integrated circuit which requires n units of charge per unit of time, a charge source comprising at least n atomic charge pumps, wherein each atomic charge pump provides one unit of charge per unit of time.
In an integrated circuit which requires n units of charge per unit of time, a charge source comprising at least n atomic voltage regulators, wherein each atomic voltage regulator provides one unit of charge per unit of time.
A method for designing a charge source for use in a predetermined portion of an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of:
- designing an atomic charge source which provides a predetermined unit of charge per predetermined unit of time;
- determining the maximum unit charge requirements, n, of said predetermined portion of said integrated circuit per unit of time;
- and
- integrating at least n of said atomic charge sources into said predetermined portion of said integrated circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.