Testing a capacitor array by delta charge
AssigneeInfineon Technologies AG
InventorsMartin Pernull, Peter Bogner, Sven Derksen, Jaafar Mejri
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In some examples, a method includes controlling a first set of switches to deliver a first voltage signal through a first set of capacitors to a common node. The method also includes controlling a second set of switches to deliver a second voltage signal through a second set of capacitors to the common node, wherein the first set of capacitors is electrically connected to the second set of capacitors by the common node. The method further includes measuring a time duration to discharge the common node. The second voltage signal includes an opposing polarity to the first voltage signal.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- controlling a first set of switches to deliver a first voltage signal through a first set of capacitors to a common node;
- controlling a second set of switches to deliver a second voltage signal through a second set of capacitors to the common node, wherein the first set of capacitors is electrically connected to the second set of capacitors by the common node, and wherein the second voltage signal includes an opposing polarity to the first voltage signal;
- and
- measuring a time duration to discharge the common node.
A device comprising:
- a first set of capacitors;
- a second set of capacitors, wherein the first set of capacitors is electrically connected to the second set of capacitors by a common node;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- control a first set of switches to deliver a first voltage signal through the first set of capacitors to the common node;
- control a second set of switches to deliver a second voltage signal through the second set of capacitors to the common node, wherein the second voltage signal includes an opposing polarity to the first voltage signal;
- and
- measure a time duration to discharge the common node.
A device comprising:
- a first set of capacitors;
- a second set of capacitors, wherein the first set of capacitors is electrically connected to the second set of capacitors by a common node;
- discharge circuitry electrically connected to the common node;
- and
- processing circuitry configured to:
- set a voltage at the common node to an offset voltage;
- control a first set of switches to deliver a first voltage signal through the first set of capacitors to the common node;
- control a second set of switches to deliver a second voltage signal through the second set of capacitors to the common node, wherein the second voltage signal includes an opposing polarity to the first voltage signal;
- control the discharge circuitry to discharge the common node by a number of voltage steps to the offset voltage;
- count the number of voltage steps;
- and
- determine a ratio of capacitances of the first set of capacitors and the second set of capacitors based on the number of voltage steps.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.