US6469482B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Inductive charge pump circuit for providing voltages useful for flash memory and other applications
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
•
Filing: 2000-06-30
•
Granted: 2002-10-22
•
Expires: 2020-06-30
Abstract
Abstract A DC voltage boost circuit capable of improved efficiency. The DC voltage boost circuit includes an inductive element, a switching device, an output capacitive element, and a regulation circuit. The switching device periodically causes current to flow through the inductive element in response to a control signal. Each time the switching device causes current to flow through the inductive element, the inductive element stores the energy. When the switching device stops the current from flowing through the inductive element, the stored energy is then transferred to the output capacitive element. The capacitive element accumulates the packets of energy stored in the inductive element in the form of charges to form the output voltage of the booster. A regulation circuit is provided to sample the booster output voltage and to generate the control signal for the switching device such that the output voltage is regulated. The control signal can be frequency modulated or pulse width modulated. An integrated circuit is also disclosed comprising a package, a die incorporating the switching device and regulation circuit, wherein the inductive and capacitive elements are situated within the package, but outside of the die.
Inventors
- 👤 Javanifard Jahanshir
- 👤 Priya Walimbe
- 👤 Richard B. Foehringer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:01
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C5/00; G11C5/14; G11C5/145; G11C16/00; G11C16/02; G11C16/06; G11C16/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of an output voltage; and a regulation circuit to generate said control signal to regulate said output voltage, wherein said control signal cycles with a frequency that varies inversely with said output voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of an output voltage; and a regulation circuit to generate said control signal to regulate said output voltage, wherein said control signal cycles with a frequency that varies inversely with said output voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 1 , wherein said inductive element includes an inductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 1 , wherein said switching device comprises a transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The booster circuit of claim 3 , wherein said transistor comprises a field effect transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 3 , wherein said transistor comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 1 , wherein said capacitive element includes a capacitor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The booster circuit of claim 1 , wherein said control signal cycles with a duty cycle that varies inversely with said output voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The booster circuit of claim 1 , further including a diode to prevent discharge of said capacitive element through said switching element.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
84 words
A method, comprising: periodically generating current through an inductive element using an input voltage, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; accumulating a plurality of said finite amount of energy in the form of an output voltage; and controlling the periodic generating of the current through said inductive element to achieve a desired voltage level for said output voltage, wherein said controlling includes generating a control signal that is frequency modulated by said output voltage.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
84 words
A method, comprising: periodically generating current through an inductive element using an input voltage, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; accumulating a plurality of said finite amount of energy in the form of an output voltage; and controlling the periodic generating of the current through said inductive element to achieve a desired voltage level for said output voltage, wherein said controlling includes generating a control signal that is frequency modulated by said output voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said generating current comprises periodically turning on a switching element to generate said current through said inductive element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said switching element comprises a transistor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein said transistor comprises a field effect transistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein said transistor comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said inductive element comprises an inductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said accumulating is performed by a capacitive element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said control signal is pulse width modulated by said output voltage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
174 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a first switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a first control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a first capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of a first output voltage; a first regulation circuit for generating said first control signal that regulates said first output voltage; a second switching device that uses said input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a second control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a second capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of a second output voltage; and a second regulation circuit to generate said second control signal that regulates said second output voltage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
174 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a first switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a first control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a first capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of a first output voltage; a first regulation circuit for generating said first control signal that regulates said first output voltage; a second switching device that uses said input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a second control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a second capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form of a second output voltage; and a second regulation circuit to generate said second control signal that regulates said second output voltage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , wherein said inductive element includes an inductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , wherein said first and second switching devices each comprises a transistor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The booster circuit of claim 19 , wherein said transistor comprises a field effect transistor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 19 , wherein said transistor comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , wherein said first and second capacitive elements each includes a capacitor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , wherein said first and/or second control signal cycle with a frequency that varies inversely with respective first and/or second output voltages.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , wherein said first and/or second control signal cycle with a duty cycle that varies inversely with respective first and/or second output voltages.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , further including first and/or second diodes to prevent discharge of respective first and/or second capacitive elements through said first and/or second switching element, respectively.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
The booster circuit of claim 17 , further including: an integrated circuit die incorporating said first and second switching devices and said first and second regulation circuits; and an integrated circuit package for encasing said integrated circuit die, said inductive element and said first and second capacitive elements, wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are situated external to said integrated circuit die.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The booster circuit of claim 26 , wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are situated adjacent said integrated circuit die within an internal boundary of said integrated circuit package.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The booster circuit of claim 26 , wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are disposed o n said integrated circuit die.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
157 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to first and second control signals, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a firs t capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element caused by said switching device response to said first control signal, wherein said accumulated energy forms a first output voltage; a first regulation circuit for generating said first control signal that regulates said first output voltage; a second capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element caused by said switching device response to said second control signal, wherein said accumulated energy forms a second output voltage; and a second regulation circuit to generate said second control signal that regulates said second output voltage.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
157 words
A booster circuit, comprising: an inductive element; a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to first and second control signals, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough; a firs t capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element caused by said switching device response to said first control signal, wherein said accumulated energy forms a first output voltage; a first regulation circuit for generating said first control signal that regulates said first output voltage; a second capacitive element to accumulate a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element caused by said switching device response to said second control signal, wherein said accumulated energy forms a second output voltage; and a second regulation circuit to generate said second control signal that regulates said second output voltage.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , further including a multiplexer to produce a time-division multiplexing control signal comprising said first and second control signals at different time slots, said switching device being responsive to said time-division multiplexing signal to cause said periodic current flow through said inductive element.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , wherein said inductive element includes an inductor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , wherein said switching device comprises a transistor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The booster circuit of claim 32 , wherein said transistor comprises a field effect transistor.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 32 , wherein said transistor comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , wherein said first and second capacitive elements each includes a capacitor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , wherein said first and/or second control signal cycle with a frequency that varies inversely with respective first and/or second output voltages.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , wherein said first and/or second control signal cycle with a duty cycle that varies inversely with respective first and/or second output voltages.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , further including first and/or second diodes to prevent discharge of respective first and/or second capacitive elements through said second switching element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
The booster circuit of claim 29 , further including: an integrated circuit die incorporating said switching device and said first and second regulation circuits; and an integrated circuit package for encasing said integrated circuit die, said inductive element, and said first and second capacitive elements, wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are situated external to said integrated circuit die.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The booster circuit of claim 39 , wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are situated adjacent said integrated circuit die within an internal boundary of said integrated circuit package.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The booster circuit of claim 39 , wherein said inductive and/or first and second capacitive elements are disposed on said integrated circuit die.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
134 words
An integrated circuit comprising: an integrated circuit package; an inductive element situated within said integrated circuit package; a capacitive element situated within said integrated circuit package; and an integrated circuit die situated within said integrated circuit package, wherein said inductive element and/or capacitive element are situated external to said integrated circuit die, said integrated circuit die comprising: a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough, and wherein said capacitive element accumulates a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form an output voltage; and a regulation circuit to generate said control signal to regulate said output voltage.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
134 words
An integrated circuit comprising: an integrated circuit package; an inductive element situated within said integrated circuit package; a capacitive element situated within said integrated circuit package; and an integrated circuit die situated within said integrated circuit package, wherein said inductive element and/or capacitive element are situated external to said integrated circuit die, said integrated circuit die comprising: a switching device that uses an input voltage to periodically cause current to flow through said inductive element in response to a control signal, wherein said inductive element stores a finite amount of energy each time current is passed therethrough, and wherein said capacitive element accumulates a plurality of said finite energy stored in said inductive element in the form an output voltage; and a regulation circuit to generate said control signal to regulate said output voltage.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
22 words
The integrated circuit of claim 42 , wherein said inductive and/or capacitive element are disposed on top of said integrated circuit die.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The integrated circuit of claim 42 , wherein said inductive and/or capacitive element are disposed on an internal surface of said integrated circuit package.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , wherein said inductive element includes an inductor.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , wherein said switching device comprises a transistor.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
The booster circuit of claim 44 , wherein said transistor comprises a field effect transistor.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 44 , wherein said transistor comprises a bipolar transistor.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
14 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , wherein said capacitive element includes a capacitor.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , wherein said control signal cycles with a frequency that varies inversely with said output voltage.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , wherein said control signal cycles with a duty cycle that varies inversely with said output voltage.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The booster circuit of claim 42 , further including a diode to prevent discharge of said capacitive element through said switching element.
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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) | 2005-10-21 | 2006-04-22 | 2006-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-21 | 2010-04-22 | 2010-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-21 | 2014-04-22 | 2014-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |