Patent ID: 6242970
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
A method of operating a charge-pump having a plurality of switches comprising the steps of:charging a first capacitor;applying a first switching sequence to said switches to discharge the first capacitor into a second capacitor by first discharging the first capacitor into the second capacitor to a first level in a first sub-step of the first switching sequence and then discharging the first capacitor into the second capacitor to a second level in a second sub-step of the first switching sequence;applying a second switching sequence to said switches, said second switching sequence being different from said first switching sequence, to prevent the discharge of the second capacitor into the first capacitor; andwherein the step of applying the first switching sequence is selected when an output voltage of the charge-pump is less than an input voltage of the charge-pump, and the step of applying the second switching sequence is selected when an output voltage of the charge-pump is greater than or equal to an input voltage of the charge-pump.