Patent ID: 6160723
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H02M

Abstract:
A charge pump circuit, comprising:a plurality of switching circuits, each switching circuit including first and second signal terminals and a control terminal adapted to receive a control signal, the switching circuit coupling its first signal terminal to its second signal terminal responsive to the control signal, and the signal terminals of the plurality of switching circuits being connected in series between an input voltage node and an output voltage node;a plurality of energy storage circuits, each energy storage circuit having a first terminal coupled to a respective voltage node formed by the interconnection between adjacent switching circuits and having a second terminal adapted to receive a clocking signal, and each energy storage circuit developing a voltage across its first and second terminals that is a function of energy stored in the circuit; andat least one feedback level shifting circuit coupled between a selected one of the voltage nodes and the control terminal included in a switching circuit coupled between the selected voltage node and the input node, the at least one feedback level shifting circuit applying a voltage derived from the voltage on the voltage node to the control terminal responsive to a clock signal.