Power supply solution for mixed signal circuits
First Claim
1. A high-voltage generation circuit for multiplying an external power supply potential applied on an input terminal to produce a higher output voltage at an output terminal comprising:
- voltage multiplier means formed of a first stage and a plurality of second stages connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, each of said plurality of second stages being formed of a MOS transistor having a gate source and drain and local substrate, the drain-source conduction path of each of said plurality of second stages being connected in cascade, the local substrate of each said plurality of second stages being connected to a controlled node;
voltage comparator means for comparing said external power supply potential and said output voltage and for generating a control logic signal; and
switching circuit means responsive to said control logic signal for automatically coupling said controlled node to one of an output of the first stage of and said output voltage on the output terminal so as to avoid forward-biasing of said local substrate.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided an improved high-voltage generation circuit for use in a mixed signal circuit for multiplying an external power supply potential applied on its input to produce a higher output voltage at an output terminal. The high-voltage generation circuit is formed of a voltage multiplier circuit (114), a voltage comparator circuit (116), and switching circuitry (118). The voltage multiplier circuit is formed of a first stage (122) and at least one second stage (124) connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal. The second stage is formed of a CMOS transistor (MP4) whose substrate is connected to a controlled node (N23). The voltage comparator circuit compares the external power supply potential and the output voltage and generates a control logic signal. The switching circuitry is responsive to the control logic signal for automatically connecting the controlled node to one of the external power supply potential and the output voltage so as to avoid forward-biasing of the substrate. As a result, there is achieved power savings and thus enhanced performance.
5 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A high-voltage generation circuit for multiplying an external power supply potential applied on an input terminal to produce a higher output voltage at an output terminal comprising:
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voltage multiplier means formed of a first stage and a plurality of second stages connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, each of said plurality of second stages being formed of a MOS transistor having a gate source and drain and local substrate, the drain-source conduction path of each of said plurality of second stages being connected in cascade, the local substrate of each said plurality of second stages being connected to a controlled node; voltage comparator means for comparing said external power supply potential and said output voltage and for generating a control logic signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control logic signal for automatically coupling said controlled node to one of an output of the first stage of and said output voltage on the output terminal so as to avoid forward-biasing of said local substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A high-voltage generation circuit for multiplying an external power supply potential applied on an input terminal to produce a higher output voltage at an output terminal comprising:
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voltage multiplier means including a first stage and at least one second stage connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, said at least one second stage being formed of a P-channel MOS transistor whose source and drain are connected between said first stage and the output terminal, the substrate of said P-channel MOS transistor being connected to a controlled node; voltage comparator means for comparing said external power supply potential and said output voltage and for generating a control logic signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control logic signal for automatically coupling said substrate of said P-channel MOS transistor in said at least one second stage to the higher of an output of the first stage applied on the input terminal and said output voltage on the output terminal so as to prevent the turning on of said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A high-voltage generation circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal comprising:
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voltage multiplier means formed of a first stage and at least one second stage connected in series between the input terminal and the output terminal, said at least one second stage being formed of a MOS transistor having a gate, source, drain, and local substrate, the drain-source conduction path of each of said at least one second stage being connected in cascade, the local substrate of said at least one second stage being connected to a controlled node; voltage comparator means for comparing an external power supply potential applied to the input terminal and an output voltage on the output terminal and for generating a control logic signal; and switching circuit means responsive to said control logic signal for automatically coupling said substrate of said MOS transistor in said at least one second stage to one of said external power supply potential and said output voltage so as to prevent the turning on of said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification