摘要 |
An improved charge transfer stage with an expanded output voltage range and high charge transfer efficiency is described. The charge transfer stage can be implemented as an output stage in a four phase clock negative charge pump system. The charge transfer stage comprises a PMOS pass transistor coupling the transfer stage input and output, a resistor between the transfer stage input and the pass transistor gate, a clock terminal, a capacitor configured PMOS transistor coupling the clock terminal to the gate of the pass transistor, and a diode from the transfer stage output to ground. When the transfer stage input goes low, charge is coupled through the resistor to pre-charge the gate of the pass transistor. The resistor has a higher junction breakdown voltage than a transistor which allows the gate of the pass transistor to be driven to a larger voltage. To provide sufficient charge to turn on the pass transistor, a logic high level greater than the power supply, such as 2 VCC, can be used for the clock signal coupled through the capacitor configured transistor to the gate of the pass transistor. To prevent the 2 VCC logic high level from forward biasing the p-n junction formed by the source and drain of the PMOS capacitor configured transistor with the well, the source, drain and well are coupled together. The charge transfer stage also includes a p-n junction diode coupled from the output of the stage to ground.
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