High precision charge pump regulation
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorBo Li
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for high precision charge pump regulation. The method of one embodiment comprises comparing an output feedback voltage with a reference voltage to determine whether the output feedback voltage is greater than or less than the reference voltage. In response to the comparison, either increasing a frequency for a clock signal if the output feedback voltage is less than the reference voltage, decreasing the frequency for the clock signal if the output feedback voltage is greater than the reference voltage; or disabling the clock signal if the output feedback voltage is much greater than the reference voltage. A pumped voltage is generated in response to changes to the clock signal.
Claims29
A method comprising:
- comparing an output feedback voltage with a reference voltage to determine whether said output feedback voltage is greater than or less than said reference voltage during normal operation;
- responding to said comparison during said normal operation by either:
- increasing a frequency for a clock signal if said output feedback voltage is less than said reference voltage;
- decreasing said frequency for said clock signal if said output feedback voltage is greater than said reference voltage;
- or
- disabling said clock signal if said output feedback voltage is much greater than said reference voltage;
- and
- generating a pumped voltage in response to changes to said clock signal.
A method comprising:
- receiving a reference voltage;
- receiving a feedback voltage, said feedback voltage provided from a charge pump output;
- comparing said reference voltage and said feedback voltage during normal operation;
- adjusting operation of charge pumping in response to said comparison;
- and
- generating a pumped voltage from said charge pumping.
An apparatus comprising:
- a comparator to receive and compare a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, said comparator to provide a first signal and a second signal;
- a clock system coupled to said comparator, said clock system to generate clock signals in response to said first and second signals;
- a pump cell coupled to said clock system, said pump cell to pump charge from a supply voltage to generate a pumped voltage greater than said supply voltage, wherein operation of said pump cell is controlled with said clock signals;
- a diode device coupled to said pump cell to filter said pumped voltage, said diode device to pass charge from an output of said pump cell to a charge pump output node;
- and
- a feedback mechanism to couple a charge pump output voltage from said charge pump output node to said comparator.
An integrated circuit comprising:
- a memory array to store data and instructions;
- decoding logic coupled to said memory array, said decoding logic to decode addresses to access memory cells within said memory array;
- and
- a charge pump coupled to said decoding logic, said charge pump to provide a high voltage supply for memory accesses, said charge pump further comprising:
- a comparator to receive and compare a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, said comparator to provide a first signal and a second signal;
- a clock system coupled to said comparator, said clock system to generate clock signals in response to said first and second signals;
- a pump cell coupled to said clock system, said pump cell to pump charge from a supply voltage to generate a pumped voltage greater than said supply voltage, wherein operation of said pump cell is controlled with said clock signals;
- a diode device coupled to said pump cell to filter said pumped voltage, said diode device to pass charge from an output of said pump cell to a charge pump output node;
- and
- a feedback mechanism to couple a charge pump output voltage from said charge pump output node to said comparator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.