Voltage multiplier circuits or the like

• US 5,438,504 A
• Filed: 10/08/1993
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SGS Thomson Microelectronics Inc (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: SGS Thomson Microelectronics Inc (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Inventors: Menegoli, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, MATTHEW VAN
• Application Number:
  US08/133,573
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 363/59, 363/60, 307/110, 307/592, 307/596, 307/597
• US Class Current: 363/60
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/073 Charge pumps of the Schenkel-type

Abstract

A voltage multiplier has first, second, and third capacitors, each having first and second plates. The multiplied output voltage is developed between the first and second plates of the third capacitor. First and second diodes are connected respectively between first plates of the first and second and the second and third diodes. A switch is connected between the supply voltage and the first plate of the first capacitor. First and second inverters are provided, each having an input, and having an output connected respectively to the second plates of the first and second capacitors. The first inverter is connected to the supply voltage to produce the supply voltage as an output of the first inverter when a low state is applied to the input of the inverter. The second inverter is connected to the first plate of the first capacitor to produce a voltage from the first capacitor as an output of the second inverter when a low state is applied to the input of the second inverter. A control signal generator has output signals connected to the switch, and inputs of the first and second inverters, the output signals being timed to open the switch and apply low states to the inputs of the first and second inverters, then to close the switch and apply high states to the inputs of the first and second inverters.

Claims

1. A voltage multiplier for producing a multiplied output voltage from a supply voltage, comprising:

a first voltage multiplying stage for receiving the supply voltage as a power input, for producing at an output, a first multiplied voltage based on the supply voltage;

means for rectification having an input for receiving said first multiplied voltage and having an output;

a second voltage multiplying stage comprising;

a capacitor having a first plate connected to the output of said means for rectification and having a second plate;

an inverter powered by the first multiplied voltage, having an input receiving a timing control signal and having an output connected to the second plate of said capacitor such that the first plate of said capacitor is charged to the first multiplied voltage responsive to the output of said inverter being low, and such that the second plate of said capacitor is biased to the first multiplied voltage when the output of said inverter is high to produce a second multiplied voltage at the first plate of said capacitor.

2. The voltage multiplier of claim 1 wherein said means for rectification comprises a diode.

3. The voltage multiplier of claim 1 wherein said means for rectification comprises a switch.

4. The voltage multiplier of claim 1 wherein further comprising an output capacitor connected to receive said second multiplied voltage.

5. A voltage multiplier for producing a multiplied output voltage from an supply voltage, comprising:

first, second, and third capacitors, each having first and second plates, the multiplied output voltage being developed between the first and second plates of said third capacitor;

first and second diodes, connected respectively between first plates of said first and second capacitors, and between first plates of said second and third capacitors;

a switch connected between the supply voltage and the first plate of said first capacitor;

first and second inverters, each having an input, and having an output connected respectively to the second plates of said first and second capacitors, said first inverter being connected to said supply voltage to produce said supply voltage as an output of said first inverter when a low state is applied to the input of said first inverter, and said second inverter being connected to said first plate of said first capacitor to produce a voltage from said first capacitor as an output of said second inverter when a low state is applied to the input of said second inverter;

a control signal generator having output signals connected to said switch, and inputs of said first and second inverters, said output signals being timed to open said switch and apply low states to said inputs of said first and second inverters, then to close said switch and apply high states to said inputs of said first and second inverters.

6. The voltage multiplier of claim 5 wherein said control signals are timed to apply a delay in applying a low state to said first inverter after said switch is opened.

7. The voltage multiplier of claim 6 wherein said control signals are timed to apply a delay in applying a low state to said second inverter after said low state is applied to said first inverter.

8. A voltage multiplier for producing a multiplied output voltage from an supply voltage, comprising:

first, second, and third capacitors, each having first and second plates, the multiplied output voltage being developed between the first and second plates of said third capacitor;

first means for transferring voltage in one direction onto said first capacitor and for resisting the discharge of the voltage from first capacitor in another direction connected between the first plate of said first capacitor and the supply voltage;

second means for transferring voltage in one direction onto said second capacitor and for resisting the discharge of the voltage from said second capacitor in another direction connected between the first plates of said first and second capacitors;

third means for transferring voltage in one direction onto said third capacitor and for resisting the discharge of the voltage from said third capacitor in another direction connected between the first plates of said second and third capacitors;

first and second inverters, each having an input, and having an output connected respectively to the second plates of said first and second capacitors, said first inverter being connected to said supply voltage, whereby said supply voltage appears as an output of said first inverter when a low state is applied to the input of said first inverter, and a power supply input of said second inverter being connected to said first plate of said first capacitor, whereby a voltage from said first plate of said first capacitor appears as an output of said second inverter when a low state is applied to the input of said second inverter; and

a control signal generator having output signals connected to said switch, and inputs of said first and second inverters, said output signals being timed to open said switch and apply low states to said inputs of said first and second inverters, then to close said switch and apply high states to said inputs of said first and second inverters.

9. The voltage multiplier of claim 8 wherein said second and third means for transferring voltage are diodes.

10. The voltage multiplier of claim 8 wherein said first means for transferring voltage is a switch.

11. The voltage multiplier of claim 8 wherein said first, second, and third means for transferring voltage are diodes.

12. The voltage multiplier of claim 8 wherein said first, second, and third means for transferring voltage are switches.

13. The voltage multiplier of claim 8 wherein said control signals are timed to apply a delay in applying a low state to said first inverter after said switch is opened.

14. The voltage multiplier of claim 13 wherein said control signals are timed to apply a delay in applying a low state to said second inverter after said low state is applied to said first inverter.