Patent ID: 8717088
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: G05F,G06F,H02M

Abstract:
1. A charge pump for connecting a direct current power source to a programmable microcontroller, which programmable microcontroller operates with an input voltage level of at least VCCmin, where VCCmin is greater than the voltage across the power source, the charge pump comprising: a. a supply capacitor connected to the power supply terminal of the microcontroller; b. a flying capacitor circuit having a flying capacitor, the flying capacitor circuit being switchably connected to the power supply terminal of the microcontroller and to the power source; and c. firmware for execution by the programmable microcontroller to control the flying capacitor circuit to repeatedly switch the flying capacitor between being connected in series with the power source and being connected in parallel with the power source, so that the voltage supplied to the programmable microcontroller through the supply capacitor is maintained at a level of at least VCCmin, wherein the supply capacitor is initially charged to supply a voltage of at least VCCmin to the programmable microcontroller, and wherein the initial charge is provided by an external power source that is disconnected from the charge pump after the initial charging has been completed.