Charge pumps with improved latchup characteristics

摘要

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to improved regulators for charge pumps. Such regulators selectively activate a charge pump based not only on the voltage output of the charge pump, but also on an series of wake-up pulses that are delivered at predetermined time intervals and which are delivered independently of the voltage output of the charge pump. Hence, these wake-up pulses prevent extended periods of time in which the charge pump is inactive, thereby helping to prevent latch-up in some situations.

主权项

1. A charge pump, comprising:
a plurality of charge pump stages arranged along a charge transfer path extending between a charge pump output and a DC supply terminal; a clock generator to provide a clock signal, an inverted clock signal, and auxiliary clock signals to the plurality of charge pump stages to facilitate charge transfer along the charge transfer path; a voltage monitor to monitor a voltage associated with the charge pump output and to continuously adjust a voltage level of a control signal based on whether the monitored voltage has a predetermined relationship with a predetermined voltage threshold; and a variable current source or current sink coupled to the charge pump output and adapted to adjust a current sourced to or sunk from the charge pump output based on the control signal.