US6028780A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-phase clock charge pump with power regulation
Assignee: ESIGMA TECHNOLOGY Corp Ltd
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Filing: 1998-03-12
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2018-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing a charge pump that is particularly useful for generating high voltages and high currents for erasing and programming flash electrically-erasable programmable read only memory arrays (Flash EEPROMs). The invention includes an efficient method and circuit for generating a pumped voltage with no voltage drop from one stage to the next by using a simple two-phase clocking scheme and an auxiliary pump to gate a larger primary pump. One feature allows adjustment of the level of voltage pumping to accommodate higher voltage power supplies.
Inventors
- 👤 Chung K. Chang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:14
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/06; H02M3/07; H02M3/073; G; G11; G11C; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/06; G11C16/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
A charge pump circuit including: (a) an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; (b) a first auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a first phase clocking signal; (c) a second auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a second phase clocking signal, the second phase clocking signal being of opposite phase to the first phase clocking signal; (d) an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input and the first and second auxiliary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels in response to the first and second phase clocking signals; (e) a first primary charging capacitor for receiving the first phase clocking signal; (f) a second primary charging capacitor for receiving the second phase clocking signal; (g) a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump and to the first and second primary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels and in response to the first and second phase clocking signals; (h) an output, coupled to each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge through the first and second primary channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
A charge pump circuit including: (a) an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; (b) a first auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a first phase clocking signal; (c) a second auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a second phase clocking signal, the second phase clocking signal being of opposite phase to the first phase clocking signal; (d) an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input and the first and second auxiliary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels in response to the first and second phase clocking signals; (e) a first primary charging capacitor for receiving the first phase clocking signal; (f) a second primary charging capacitor for receiving the second phase clocking signal; (g) a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump and to the first and second primary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels and in response to the first and second phase clocking signals; (h) an output, coupled to each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge through the first and second primary channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 1, wherein the circuit is implemented as an integrated circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 1, further including a voltage regulator coupled to the first and second auxiliary channels for regulating Vcharge in the first and second auxiliary channels to control current flow at the output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 1, wherein the full input voltage is passed within the first and second primary channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
449 words
A charge pump circuit including: (a) an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; (b) a first auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a first phase clocking signal; (c) a second auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a second phase clocking signal, the second phase clocking signal being of opposite phase to the first phase clocking signal; (d) an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input and the first and second auxiliary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels in response to the first and second phase clocking signals, wherein: (1) the first auxiliary channel includes a first diode pair defining a first control node between such diodes, the first control node being coupled to the first auxiliary charging capacitor; and (2) the second auxiliary channel includes a second diode pair defining a second control node between such diodes, the second control node being coupled to the second auxiliary charging capacitor; (e) a first primary charging capacitor for receiving the first phase clocking signal; (f) a second primary charging capacitor for receiving the second phase clocking signal; (g) a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump and to the first and second primary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels and in response to the first and second phase clocking signals, wherein: (1) the first primary channel includes: (A) a first transistor coupled to the input and controlled by the second control node; (B) a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and controlled by the first control node; (C) a first charge pumping node between the first and second transistors of the first primary channel, coupled to the first primary charging capacitor; (2) the second primary channel includes: (A) a first transistor coupled to the input and controlled by the first control node; (B) a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and controlled by the second control node; (C) a second charge pumping node between the first and second transistors of the second primary channel, coupled to the second primary charging capacitor; (h) an output, coupled to each of the second transistors of each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge from the first and second charge pumping nodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
449 words
A charge pump circuit including: (a) an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; (b) a first auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a first phase clocking signal; (c) a second auxiliary charging capacitor for receiving a second phase clocking signal, the second phase clocking signal being of opposite phase to the first phase clocking signal; (d) an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input and the first and second auxiliary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels in response to the first and second phase clocking signals, wherein: (1) the first auxiliary channel includes a first diode pair defining a first control node between such diodes, the first control node being coupled to the first auxiliary charging capacitor; and (2) the second auxiliary channel includes a second diode pair defining a second control node between such diodes, the second control node being coupled to the second auxiliary charging capacitor; (e) a first primary charging capacitor for receiving the first phase clocking signal; (f) a second primary charging capacitor for receiving the second phase clocking signal; (g) a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump and to the first and second primary charging capacitors, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels and in response to the first and second phase clocking signals, wherein: (1) the first primary channel includes: (A) a first transistor coupled to the input and controlled by the second control node; (B) a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and controlled by the first control node; (C) a first charge pumping node between the first and second transistors of the first primary channel, coupled to the first primary charging capacitor; (2) the second primary channel includes: (A) a first transistor coupled to the input and controlled by the first control node; (B) a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and controlled by the second control node; (C) a second charge pumping node between the first and second transistors of the second primary channel, coupled to the second primary charging capacitor; (h) an output, coupled to each of the second transistors of each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge from the first and second charge pumping nodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 5, wherein the circuit is implemented as an integrated circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 5, further including a voltage regulator coupled to the first and second auxiliary channels for regulating Vcharge in the first and second auxiliary channels to control current flow at the output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The charge pump circuit of claim 5, wherein the full input voltage is passed within the first and second primary channels.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for operating a charge pump circuit including at least one stage, each stage including: an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels; a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels; an output, coupled to each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge through the first and second primary channels; the method including the steps of: (a) providing a voltage to be pumped to the input; (b) alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in the first and second auxiliary channels; (c) alternately applying the voltage Vcharge as a gating control signal to each of the first and second primary channels, thereby pumping the voltage in each such first and second primary channels to a level greater than the input voltage; (d) alternately coupling the pumped voltage in the first and second primary channels to the output.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
248 words
A method for operating a charge pump circuit including at least one stage, each stage including: an input for receiving an input voltage to be pumped; an auxiliary charge pump, coupled to the input, and having a first and a second auxiliary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second auxiliary channels; a primary charge pump, coupled to the input and to the first and second auxiliary channels of the auxiliary charge pump, and having a first and a second primary channel, for alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage in excess of the input voltage in each of the first and second primary channels under the control of the first and second auxiliary channels; an output, coupled to each of the first and second primary channels, to allow transmission of a voltage pumped charge through the first and second primary channels; the method including the steps of: (a) providing a voltage to be pumped to the input; (b) alternately pumping the input voltage to a voltage Vcharge in the first and second auxiliary channels; (c) alternately applying the voltage Vcharge as a gating control signal to each of the first and second primary channels, thereby pumping the voltage in each such first and second primary channels to a level greater than the input voltage; (d) alternately coupling the pumped voltage in the first and second primary channels to the output.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of charge pumping of claim 9, further including the step of implementing the charge pump circuit as an integrated circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of charge pumping of claim 9, further including the step of regulating Vcharge in the first and second auxiliary channels to control current flow at the output.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of charge pumping of claim 9, further including the step of passing the full input voltage within the first and a second primary channels.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |