KR102019242B1 - Module of voltage amplifier and method and apparatus for amplifying voltage - Google Patents

Abstract

A first voltage source that charges at least one of a first capacitor and a second capacitor, the first capacitor and the second capacitor, a switch connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to an operation mode A voltage amplification module including a second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode.

Description

Module of voltage amplifier and method and apparatus for amplifying voltage

The present invention relates to a voltage amplification module and a voltage amplification device and method, and more particularly, to a voltage amplification module and a voltage amplification device and method for improving amplification efficiency by supplying additional charge through an external power source.

All electronic devices require power management devices that can supply the supply voltage appropriate for their system characteristics. Such power management devices require high accuracy and high efficiency operation. In particular, by integrating systems having various functions, modules having different input voltages and output voltages are being designed in one chip (System on Chip; SoC). Accordingly, there is a need for a technology capable of maximizing power consumption by minimizing power consumption by supplying power voltages and load currents of various systems with a minimum power management IC (PMIC) in power supply of each module. . In addition, when using the output of a battery or a solar generator as a power supply power supply, a converter that can output a constant voltage even for a changing input voltage is required.

DC power supplies are largely classified into inductor-based switching converters (Buck, Boost ...) and switched capacitor converters (SCC). In order to supply high efficiency and stable power with a wide output load range, switching converters using inductors are used the most. However, the use of an inductor increases the PCB area and cost, and reduces the efficiency at low loads. In addition, the use of magnetic devices may cause Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) problems.

These problems are increasing the utilization of switched capacitor DC-DC converters. Switched capacitor-based DC-DC converters must be connected in series for high conversion rates, resulting in conductive losses in proportion to the number of connections. Thus, there was a limit to increasing the conversion ratio as desired.

The voltage amplification device according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a voltage amplification device that can achieve the desired conversion ratio by reducing the conductive loss by using the input power and the additional power.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the problem (s) mentioned above, and other object (s) not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

A voltage amplification module according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the first capacitor and the second capacitor; A first voltage source charging electric charges in at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor; A switch unit connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to an operation mode; And a second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode.

The switch unit may connect the first capacitor and the second capacitor in parallel in the charging mode and the first amplification mode, and connect the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series in the second amplification mode.

The switch unit may include a first switch disposed between the first voltage source and one end of the first capacitor, and the first switch may be turned on in the charging mode.

The switch unit may include a second switch disposed between the second voltage source and the other end of the second capacitor, and the second switch may be turned on in the first amplification mode and the second amplified charging mode. have.

The switch unit may include a third switch disposed between one end of the first capacitor and one end of the second capacitor, a fourth switch disposed between the other end of the first capacitor and the other end of the second capacitor, and the first capacitor. And a fifth switch disposed between one end of the second capacitor and the other end of the second capacitor, wherein the fifth switch is turned on in the first amplification mode, and the third switch and the fourth switch are configured to be charged. Mode and may be turned on in the second amplification mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voltage amplifying method, wherein the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel in a charging mode, and one end of the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected to each other in parallel. Applying a first voltage to one end; Checking an amplification mode of the voltage amplification module; And when the identified amplification mode is a first amplification mode, connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series and applying the second voltage to the other end of the first capacitor.

When the identified amplification mode is a second amplification mode, the method may include connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in parallel and applying the second voltage to the other end of the first capacitor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a voltage amplifying apparatus comprising: an amplifier having a plurality of voltage amplifying modules connected in series to amplify and output an input voltage at a predetermined ratio according to an operation mode; And a mode determination unit configured to determine an operation mode of each of the plurality of amplification modules according to a ratio between an input voltage and an output voltage of the amplification unit, wherein each voltage amplification module comprises: a first capacitor and a second capacitor; A first voltage source charging electric charges in at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor; A switch unit connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to the operation mode; And a second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode.

The mode determining unit compares the output voltage of the N-1 th voltage amplification module with the input voltage of the N + 1 th voltage amplification module in a state in which the input and output of the N th voltage amplification module are blocked, and thus the plurality of voltage amplification modules. Each operation mode can be determined.

The voltage amplification module according to an embodiment of the present invention can easily achieve a large conversion ratio as well as a small conversion ratio by compensating for a conductive loss by supplying charge from an additional input terminal.

In addition, it is possible to achieve the desired target conversion ratio without using an inductor, so it can be manufactured using only a silicon process, and the design cost can be reduced.

In addition, it provides multiple operating modes with different amplification ratios, and automatically searches for the optimal conversion ratio for any input and output voltage to determine the operating mode of the amplification modules, resulting in high efficiency over a wide output voltage range. Can be.

1 is a block diagram of a voltage amplifying apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram of the amplifier 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A is a view for explaining an operation of the amplifying module 111 in the charging mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3B is a diagram for describing an operation of the amplification module 111 in the first amplification mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3C is a diagram for describing an operation of the amplification module 111 in the second amplification mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a process of determining an operation mode in the voltage amplifying apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram simulating the relationship between the input voltage and the output voltage of the third amplification module 113 according to the operation mode of the amplification modules 111 to 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a flowchart illustrating a voltage amplification method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements.

Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component without departing from the scope of the present invention. The second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related items or a plurality of related items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be. On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a voltage amplifying apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The voltage amplifier 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an amplifier 110 and a mode determiner 120.

The amplifying unit 110 may include a plurality of amplifying modules 111 to 115, and each amplifying module boosts (or decompresses) an input voltage at a predetermined ratio according to an operation mode and outputs the amplifying module. Operation modes of the amplification modules 111 to 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include i) a charging mode, ii) a first amplification mode, iii) a second amplification mode. In the charging mode, the capacitors included in the amplification modules 111 to 115 are charged, and in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode, the voltage is boosted or reduced by using the charge charged in the capacitor. At this time, the amplification ratio (or decompression ratio) of the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode is different.

Hereinafter, the structure of the amplifying module 111 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

2 is a block diagram of an amplification module 111 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Amplification module 111 according to an embodiment of the present invention is the first capacitor 210, the second capacitor 220, the first voltage source 230, the second voltage source 240 and the switch unit (251 ~ 257) Include.

The first voltage source 230 is denoted by V _IN , and charges at least one of the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 in the charging mode. The first voltage source 230 may correspond to the output of the previous amplification module or may be a voltage source located outside the amplification module.

The second voltage source 240 is denoted by V _HRV and is connected to the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 in the amplification mode.

The switch units 251 to 257 may be configured of a plurality of switches, and each switch is turned on or off depending on the operation mode. The switch units 251 to 257 connect the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 in series or in parallel according to the operation mode, and selectively connect the first voltage source 230 and the second voltage source 240 to the capacitor. Connect with

The first switch 251 is disposed between the first voltage source 230 and one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 and is turned on in the charging mode and turned off in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode. do.

The second switch 252 is disposed between the second voltage source 240 and the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 and is turned on in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode and turned off in the charging mode. do.

The third switch 253 is disposed between one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 and the other end M2 of the second capacitor 220, and is turned on in the charging mode and the second amplification mode and is the first amplification. Turn off in mode.

The fourth switch 254 is disposed between the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 and the other end M4 of the second capacitor 220 and is turned on in the charging mode and the second amplifying mode and is the first amplification. Turn off in mode.

The fifth switch 255 is disposed between one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 and the other end M4 of the second capacitor 220. The fifth switch 255 is turned on in the first amplification mode and is turned on in the charging mode and the second amplification. Turn off in mode.

The sixth switch 256 is disposed between the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 and ground, and is turned on in the charging mode, and is turned off in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode.

The seventh switch 257 is disposed between one end M2 of the second capacitor 220 and the output terminal, and is turned on in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode, and is turned off in the charging mode.

1, the mode determiner 120 determines an operation mode of each amplification module 111 to 114 based on the ratio of the input voltage and the output voltage of the amplifier 110. The mode determiner 120 may determine an operation mode of the amplification modules 111 to 114 as one of i) a charging mode, ii) a first amplification mode, and iii) a second amplification mode. In the present specification, at least one of the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 is charged in the charging mode, and the input voltage is amplified at a predetermined ratio in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode. At this time, the voltage amplification ratios in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode are different.

Hereinafter, the operation of the amplification module according to the operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. 3 for convenience of description.

3A is a view for explaining an operation of the amplifying module 111 in the charging mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the solid line indicates when the corresponding switch is turned on, and the dotted line indicates when the corresponding switch is turned off.

In the charging mode, the first switch 251 is turned on so that the first voltage source 230 is connected to one end M1 of the first capacitor 210.

The second switch 252 is turned off so that the connection between the second voltage source 240 and the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 is cut off. In addition, the sixth switch 256 is turned on to connect the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 to ground.

The third switch 253 and the fourth switch 254 are turned on, and the fifth switch 255 is turned off. Accordingly, one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 and one end M2 of the second capacitor 220 are connected to the first voltage source 230, and the other end M3 and the second end of the first capacitor 210. The other end M4 of the capacitor 220 is connected to the ground.

As a result, the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 are connected in parallel and charged by the first voltage source 230, and the voltage at one end M2 of the second capacitor 220 is equal to the input voltage Vin. do.

3B is a diagram for describing an operation of the amplification module 111 in the first amplification mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the first amplification mode, the first switch 251 is turned off to disconnect the connection of the first voltage source 230 and one end M1 of the first capacitor 210.

The second switch 252 is turned on so that the second voltage source 240 and the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 are connected, and the sixth switch 256 is turned off so that the first capacitor 210 is turned on. Break the connection between the other end of (M3) and ground.

The third switch 253 and the fourth switch 254 are turned off, and the fifth switch 255 is turned on. Accordingly, one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 and the other end M4 of the second capacitor 220 are connected to each other, so that the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 are connected in series.

The seventh switch 257 is turned on so that one end M2 of the second capacitor 220 is connected to the output terminal.

In this case, the magnitude of the voltage applied to both ends of the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 is kept the same by the law of charge conservation, and the voltage at the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 is equal to the first. The voltage source 240 determines the V _HRV . Therefore, the voltage Vout of the output terminal is determined by the following equation (1).

[Equation 1]

Vout = 2V _IN + V _HRV

3C is a diagram for describing an operation of the amplification module 111 in the second amplification mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the second amplification mode, the first switch 241 is turned off to disconnect the connection of the first voltage source 230 and one end M1 of the first capacitor 210.

The second switch 242 is turned on so that the second voltage source 240 and the other end M7 of the first capacitor 210 are connected, and the sixth switch 246 is turned off to the first capacitor 210. Break the connection between the other end of (M7) and ground.

The third switch 243 and the fourth switch 244 are turned on, and the fifth switch 245 is turned off. Accordingly, one end M1 of the first capacitor 210 is connected to one end M1 of the second capacitor 220, and the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 is connected to the other end of the second capacitor 220. Connected to M4). As a result, the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 are connected in parallel.

The seventh switch 247 is turned on so that one end M2 of the second capacitor 220 is connected to the output terminal.

In this case, the magnitude of the voltage applied to both ends of the first capacitor 210 and the second capacitor 220 is kept the same by the law of charge conservation, and the voltage at the other end M3 of the first capacitor 210 is equal to the first. The voltage source 240 determines the V _HRV . Therefore, the voltage Vout of the output terminal is determined by the following equation (2).

[Equation 2]

Vout = V _IN + V _HRV

The amplification mode of each of the voltage modules 111 to 114 is determined by the ratio of the input voltage and the output voltage of the amplifier 110. For example, when there are five voltage modules, an operation mode according to an amplification ratio is determined as shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1

Each bit in Table 1 corresponds to an amplification module, and the bit value corresponds to an amplification mode of a corresponding amplification module. For example, when the amplification ratio is '11', since the first bit is '0', the first amplification module operates in the second amplification mode. Similarly, since the fifth bit is '1', the last amplification module operates in the first amplification mode.

As such, the voltage amplification module according to an embodiment of the present invention may have high efficiency by compensating for the conductive loss occurring in each stage by receiving charge from an additional input terminal V _HRV , and changing an operation mode. To achieve various amplification ratios.

4 is a diagram illustrating a process of determining an operation mode in the voltage amplifying apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, five amplification modules are connected in series to obtain a desired output voltage.

The mode determiner 120 compares the output voltage of the N-1th amplification module with the input voltage of the N + 1th amplification module while blocking the input and output of the Nth amplification module.

In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the input and output of the third amplification module 113 are blocked. Accordingly, the mode determiner 120 sequentially changes the operation modes of the respective amplification modules 111, 112, 114, and 115, while outputting the output voltage of the second amplification module 112 and the input voltage of the fourth amplification module 114. Are compared, and the operating modes S1, 2, 4, and 5 are found at the moment when the output voltage of the second amplification module 112 is greater than the input voltage of the fourth amplification module 114. Thereafter, S1 is determined as the operation mode of the first amplification module 112, S2 is the second amplification module 112, S4 is the third amplification module 113, S5 is the fourth amplification module 114, and the last amplification module 115 is determined. Operation mode is fixed to the first amplification mode.

In some cases, the voltage generated using the energy harvesting device may be connected to the voltage amplifying device 100 as an input. In this case, assume that the voltage generated by the energy harvesting device is Vsrc. In order for the power generated by the energy harvesting device to be amplified to the maximum through the voltage amplifying device 100, the output impedance of the energy harvesting device and the input impedance of the voltage amplifying device 100 must match, and in this case, the voltage amplifying device ( The voltage applied to 100 becomes Vsrc / 2, which is the generated voltage of the energy harvesting device. In this case, the output voltage Vout2 of the second amplifying module 122 and the input voltage VIN4 of the fourth amplifying module 124 have the values shown in Table 2 below according to the operation mode of the amplifying module.

TABLE 2

For example, suppose V _SRC = 100 mV and V _BAT = 1.8 V. If the impedance is matched, the voltage V _HRV = V _SRC / 2 = 50mV input to the first amplification module 111 will be obtained. In this case, the amplification ratio CR between the input voltage and the output voltage is determined to be 1.8V / 50mv + 1. Therefore, the amplification ratio CR = 39.

Referring to [Table 2], when the amplification ratio (CR) = 39, the time point when Vout2> V _IN 4 is S1 = 1, S2 = 0, S4 = 1, S5 = 1. Therefore, when the amplification ratio CR = 39, the operation mode of each amplification module is determined as '10111'.

Hereinafter, a process of determining the operation mode by the mode determination unit 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a diagram simulating the relationship between the input voltage and the output voltage of the third amplification module 113 according to the operation mode of the amplification modules 111 to 115 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the amplification ratio CR is '39', the first amplification module 111 operates in the first amplification mode, the second amplification module 112 operates in the second amplification mode, and the fourth amplification module. 114 and the fifth amplification module 115 may be satisfied that Vout> Vin4 is satisfied at the time of operating in the first amplification mode. Therefore, when amplification ratio CR = 39, the time point at which Vout2> VIN4 becomes S1 = 1, S2 = 0, S4 = 1, S5 = 1 is the case.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a voltage amplification method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In operation S610, the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel in the charging mode, and a first voltage is applied to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.

In operation S620, the operation mode of the voltage amplification module is checked. When the voltage amplification module is in the first amplification mode, step S622 is performed. When the voltage amplification module is in the first amplification mode, step S624 is performed.

In operation S622, the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in series, and a second voltage is applied to one end of the first capacitor.

In operation S624, the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel, and a second voltage is applied to one end of the first capacitor.

Advantages and / or features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, only the present embodiments to make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below, but also by the equivalents of the claims.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which can be variously modified and modified by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Modifications are possible. Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should be understood only by the claims set forth below, and all equivalent or equivalent modifications thereof will belong to the scope of the present invention.

100: voltage amplification device
110: amplifier
120: mode determination unit
111-115: 1st amplification module-5th amplification module

Claims (10)

In the voltage amplification module,
A first capacitor and a second capacitor;
A first voltage source charging electric charges in at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor;
A switch unit connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to an operation mode; And
A second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode,
The switch unit,
And the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel in the charge mode and the first amplification mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the switch unit,
Voltage amplification module, characterized in that for connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series in a second amplification mode. The method of claim 2,
The switch unit includes a first switch disposed between the first voltage source and one end of the first capacitor,
And the first switch is turned on in the charging mode. The method of claim 2,
The switch unit includes a second switch disposed between the second voltage source and the other end of the first capacitor,
And the second switch is turned on in the first amplification mode and the second amplification mode. In the voltage amplification module,
A first capacitor and a second capacitor;
A first voltage source charging electric charges in at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor;
A switch unit connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to an operation mode; And
A second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode,
The switch unit may include a third switch disposed between one end of the first capacitor and one end of the second capacitor, a fourth switch disposed between the other end of the first capacitor and the other end of the second capacitor, and the first capacitor. A fifth switch disposed between one end of the second capacitor and the other end of the second capacitor,
The fifth switch is turned on in the first amplification mode,
And the third switch and the fourth switch are turned on in the charging mode and the second amplifying mode. A method for amplifying a voltage in a voltage amplification module including a switch for connecting the first capacitor in series or in parallel according to an operation mode with a first capacitor and a second capacitor,
Connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in parallel in a charging mode, and applying a first voltage to one end of the first capacitor and one end of the second capacitor;
Checking an amplification mode of the voltage amplification module; And
If the identified amplification mode is a first amplification mode, connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series and applying a second voltage to the other end of the first capacitor. The method of claim 6,
If the identified amplification mode is a second amplification mode, connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in parallel, and applying the second voltage to the other end of the first capacitor. Voltage amplification method. An amplifier having a plurality of voltage amplification modules connected in series to amplify and output the input voltage at a predetermined ratio according to an operation mode; And
A mode determination unit determining an operation mode of each of the plurality of amplification modules according to a ratio between an input voltage and an output voltage of the amplifier;
Each voltage amplification module,
A first capacitor and a second capacitor;
A first voltage source charging electric charges in at least one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor;
A switch unit connecting the first capacitor and the second capacitor in series or in parallel according to the operation mode; And
And a second voltage source selectively connected to the first capacitor according to the operation mode. The method of claim 8, wherein the mode determination unit,
In a state in which the input and output of the N-th voltage amplifier module are cut off, an operation mode of each of the plurality of voltage amplifier modules is compared by comparing the output voltage of the N-1 voltage amplifier module with the input voltage of the N + 1 voltage amplifier module. Voltage amplification device, characterized in that for determining. The method of claim 8, wherein the switch unit,
And the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel in the charge mode and the first amplification mode, and the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in series in the second amplification mode.

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