Semiconductor integrated circuit including charge pump and electronic device including the semiconductor integrated circuit

A semiconductor integrated circuit is electrically connected to first to fourth capacitors and includes first to eleventh switches. A tenth switch has a first terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the third capacitor. An eleventh switch has a first terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the third capacitor. A second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to a node at a fixed potential.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit and an electronic device including the semiconductor integrated circuit, and particularly relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit including a charge pump and an electronic device including the semiconductor integrated circuit.

2. Description of the Background Art

An electronic device driven by a battery, such as a mobile telephone or a digital camera, includes a charge pump that boosts a voltage from, for example, the battery. The charge pump boosts an input voltage by a prescribed voltage boost factor and outputs the same. As to the voltage boost factor, factors of 1, 1.5 and 2, for example, are achieved (see Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-80395 (Patent Document 1)).

When a voltage boost factor of 1.5, for example, is set in a charge pump, it is necessary to supply a current 1.5 times as large as an output current to the charge pump. Therefore, it is necessary to cause the charge pump to output a voltage equal to or slightly larger than a voltage value intended to be obtained as an output voltage, to reduce power consumption. It is desirable to achieve voltage boost factors as various as possible.

FIG. 10is a drawing that shows a configuration of a typical charge pump achieving voltage boost factors of 1, 1.5 and 2. With reference toFIG. 10, this charge pump includes switches SW1-SW9, external terminals T1-T4, an external terminal TOUT, capacitors C1and C2, and a capacitor COUT. Switches SW1-SW9are formed inside a semiconductor integrated circuit. Each of the capacitors is placed outside the semiconductor integrated circuit and connected to the switches in the semiconductor integrated circuit via the external terminals.

FIG. 11is a drawing that shows a configuration of a typical charge pump achieving voltage boost factors of 1, 1.33, 1.5, and 2. With reference toFIG. 11, this charge pump includes switches SW1-SW14, external terminals T1-T6, an external terminal TOUT, capacitors C1-C3, and a capacitor COUT. As in the charge pump shown inFIG. 10, switches SW1-SW14are formed inside a semiconductor integrated circuit. Each of the capacitors is placed outside the semiconductor integrated circuit and connected to the switches in the semiconductor integrated circuit via the external terminals.

As such, if a typical charge pump is intended to achieve a voltage boost factor of 1.33 as well, for example, in addition to voltage boost factors of 1, 1.5 and 2, a semiconductor integrated circuit is required to further include five switches and two external terminals, resulting in increase in chip area of the semiconductor integrated circuit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit capable of achieving much more voltage boost factors and preventing increase in chip area, and an electronic device including the semiconductor integrated circuit.

A semiconductor integrated circuit according to an aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor integrated circuit electrically connected to a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a third capacitor, and a fourth capacitor, including: a first switch having a first terminal connected to a node at a first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the first capacitor; a second switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor; a third switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the fourth capacitor; a fourth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal connected to a node at a second potential lower than the first potential; a fifth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the second capacitor; a sixth switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor; a seventh switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the second capacitor; an eighth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the fourth capacitor; a ninth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal connected to the node at the second potential; a tenth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the third capacitor; and an eleventh switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the third capacitor. A second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to the node at the second potential.

Preferably, the semiconductor integrated circuit further includes a control circuit alternately switching between a first state in which each of the first switch, the fifth switch, and the tenth switch is in an on state, while each of the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch, the sixth switch, the seventh switch, the eighth switch, the ninth switch, and the eleventh switch is in an off state, and a second state in which each of the second switch, the third switch, the seventh switch, and the eighth switch is in the on state, while each of the first switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, the sixth switch, the ninth switch, the tenth switch, and the eleventh switch is in the off state.

Preferably, the semiconductor integrated circuit further includes a control circuit alternately switching between a first state in which each of the second switch, the third switch, the sixth switch, and the tenth switch is in an on state, while each of the first switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, the seventh switch, the eighth switch, the ninth switch, and the eleventh switch is in an off state, and a second state in which each of the first switch, the seventh switch, the eighth switch, and the eleventh switch is in the on state, while each of the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch, the fifth switch, the sixth switch, the ninth switch, and the tenth switch is in the off state.

An electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a first capacitor; a second capacitor; a third capacitor; a fourth capacitor; and a semiconductor integrated circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first switch having a first terminal connected to a node at a first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the first capacitor, a second switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor, a third switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the fourth capacitor, a fourth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal connected to a node at a second potential lower than the first potential, a fifth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the second capacitor, a sixth switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor, a seventh switch having a first terminal connected to the node at the first potential, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the second capacitor, an eighth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the fourth capacitor, a ninth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal connected to the node at the second potential, a tenth switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the second capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of the third capacitor, and an eleventh switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the third capacitor. A second terminal of the third capacitor is connected to the node at the second potential.

According to the present invention, it is possible to achieve much more voltage boost factors and prevent increase in chip area.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. It is noted that the same or corresponding portions in the drawings are provided with the same reference characters and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[Configuration and Basic Operation]

FIG. 1is a drawing that shows a configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 1, an electronic device201includes a semiconductor integrated circuit101, capacitors (first to third capacitors) C1-C3, and a capacitor (fourth capacitor) COUT. Semiconductor integrated circuit101includes a control circuit51, a switch portion52, external terminals T1-T5, and an external terminal TOUT. Capacitors C1-C3, capacitor COUT, and switch portion52form a charge pump301.

Semiconductor integrated circuit101is electrically connected to capacitor C1, capacitor C2, capacitor C3, and capacitor COUT. It is noted that a configuration in which capacitors C1-C3are included in semiconductor integrated circuit101may be adopted.

Control circuit51controls an on state and an off state of each of the plurality of switches included in switch portion52in accordance with a set voltage boost factor to thereby boost an input voltage VIN supplied from a node at a potential VIN, by the voltage boost factor, to generate an output voltage VOUT.

FIG. 2is a drawing that shows a configuration of the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention. With reference toFIG. 2, switch portion52includes switches (first to eleventh switches) SW1-SW11. Each of switches SW1-SW11is, for example, a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistor. A configuration in which potential VIN is generated by semiconductor integrated circuit101, or a configuration in which potential VIN is generated outside semiconductor integrated circuit101, may be adopted.

Switch SW1has a first terminal connected to the node at potential VIN, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of capacitor C1. Switch SW2has a first terminal connected to the node at potential VIN, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of capacitor C1. Switch SW3has a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of capacitor C1, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of capacitor COUT. Switch SW4has a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of capacitor C1, and a second terminal connected to a node at a ground potential lower than potential VIN. Switch SW5has a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of capacitor C1, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of capacitor C2. Switch SW6has a first terminal connected to the node at potential VIN, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of capacitor C2. Switch SW7has a first terminal connected to the node at potential VIN, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of capacitor C2. Switch SW8has a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of capacitor C2, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of capacitor COUT. Switch SW9has a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of capacitor C2, and a second terminal connected to the node at the ground potential. Switch SW10has a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of capacitor C2, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first terminal of capacitor C3. Switch SW11has a first terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of capacitor C1, and a second terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of capacitor C3. Each of a second terminal of capacitor C3and a second terminal of capacitor COUT is connected to the node at the ground potential.

There will hereinafter be described an operation of the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention when it outputs a voltage.

FIG. 3is a drawing that shows a first state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs a voltage 1.33 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 3, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a first state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW5, and switch SW10in an on state, and maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW4, switch SW6, switch SW7, switch SW8, switch SW9, and switch SW11in an off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the first state to thereby apply input voltage VIN×⅓ to each of capacitors C1-C3to charge capacitors C1-C3.

FIG. 4is a drawing that shows a second state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs the voltage 1.33 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 4, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a second state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW7, and switch SW8in the on state, and maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW4, switch SW5, switch SW6, switch SW9, switch SW10, and switch SW11in the off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the second state to thereby connect capacitors C1and C2in parallel to apply input voltage VIN in a direction opposite to that at the time of charging so that charges stored in capacitors C1and C2are released. Consequently, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN× 4/3, which is obtained by adding input voltage VIN×⅓ to input voltage VIN, namely, a voltage approximately 1.33 times as large as the input voltage.

Control circuit51alternately switches between the first state and the second state of switch portion52to thereby repeat charging of capacitors C1and C2, and discharging of capacitors C1and C2, to output a voltage approximately 1.33 times as large as input voltage VIN from charge pump301as output voltage VOUT.

FIG. 5is a drawing that shows a first state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs a voltage 1.5 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 5, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a first state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW6, and switch SW10in the on state, and maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW4, switch SW5, switch SW7, switch SW8, switch SW9, and switch SW11in an off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the first state to thereby apply input voltage VIN×½ to each of capacitors C2and C3to charge capacitors C2and C3.

FIG. 6is a drawing that shows a second state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs the voltage 1.5 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 6, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a second state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW7, switch SW8, and switch SW11in the on state, and maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW4, switch SW5, switch SW6, switch SW9, and switch SW10in the off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the second state to thereby apply input voltage VIN×½ to each of capacitors C1and C3to charge capacitors C1and C3, and additionally, apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C2in a direction opposite to that at the time of charging so that charges stored in capacitor C2are released. Consequently, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN×1.5, which is obtained by adding input voltage VIN×½ to input voltage VIN.

Control circuit51alternately switches between the first state and the second state of switch portion52to thereby repeat discharging of capacitor C1and charging of capacitor C2, and charging of capacitor C1and discharging of capacitor C2, to output a voltage 1.5 times as large as input voltage VIN from charge pump301as output voltage VOUT.

In other words, control circuit51brings switch portion52into the first state again to thereby apply input voltage VIN×½ to each of capacitors C2and C3to charge capacitors C2and C3, and additionally, apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C1in a direction opposite to that at the time of charging so that charges stored in capacitor C1are released. Consequently, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN×1.5, which is obtained by adding input voltage VIN×½ to input voltage VIN.

With such a configuration, it is possible to charge one of capacitors C1and C2while discharging the other of capacitors C1and C2, and hence output voltage VOUT can be prevented from lowering in the case where a load consumes large power, and other cases.

FIG. 7is a drawing that shows a first state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs a voltage 2.0 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 7, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a first state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW4, switch SW7, and switch SW8in an on state, and maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW5, switch SW6, switch SW9, switch SW10, and switch SW11in an off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the first state to thereby apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C1to charge capacitor C1.

FIG. 8is a drawing that shows a second state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs the voltage 2.0 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 8, control circuit51maintains switch portion52in a second state. In other words, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW6, and switch SW9in the on state, and maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW4, switch SW5, switch SW7, switch SW8, switch SW10, and switch SW11in the off state.

Control circuit51maintains switch portion52in the second state to thereby apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C2to charge capacitor C2, and additionally, apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C1in a direction opposite to that at the time of charging so that charges stored in capacitor C1are released. Consequently, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN×2.0, which is obtained by adding input voltage VIN to input voltage VIN.

Control circuit51alternately switches between the first state and the second state of switch portion52to thereby repeat charging of capacitor C1and discharging of capacitor C2, and discharging of capacitor C1and charging of capacitor C2, to output a voltage 2.0 times as large as the input voltage from charge pump301as output voltage VOUT.

In other words, control circuit51brings switch portion52into the first state again to thereby apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C1to charge capacitor C1, and additionally, apply input voltage VIN to capacitor C2in a direction opposite to that at the time of charging so that charges stored in capacitor C2are released. Consequently, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN×2.0, which is obtained by adding input voltage VIN to input voltage VIN.

With such a configuration, it is possible to charge one of capacitors C1and C2while discharging the other of capacitors C1and C2, and hence output voltage VOUT can be prevented from lowering in the case where a load consumes large power, and other cases.

FIG. 9is a drawing that shows a state of the switches when the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention outputs a voltage 1.0 times as large as the input voltage.

With reference toFIG. 9, control circuit51maintains each of switch SW1, switch SW2, switch SW3, switch SW5, switch SW6, switch SW7, and switch SW8in an on state, and maintains each of switch SW4, switch SW9, switch SW10, and switch SW11in an off state. In such a state, output voltage VOUT is equal to input voltage VIN×1.0.

If a typical charge pump is intended to achieve a voltage boost factor of 1.33 as well, for example, in addition to voltage boost factors of 1, 1.5 and 2, it includes 14 switches, seven external terminals, and four capacitors. In other words, a semiconductor integrated circuit included in the charge pump is required to further include five switches SW10-SW14and two external terminals T5and T6, resulting in a problem of increase in chip area of the semiconductor integrated circuit. In contrast, the charge pump according to the embodiment of the present invention includes 11 switches, four capacitors, and six external terminals so as to achieve a voltage boost factor of 1.33 in addition to voltage boost factors of 1, 1.5 and 2. In other words, semiconductor integrated circuit101can achieve the voltage boost factor of 1.33 in addition to the voltage boost factors of 1, 1.5 and 2, only by adding two switches SW10and SW11and one external terminal T5to the semiconductor integrated circuit included in the charge pump shown inFIG. 10.

Here, a MOS transistor, which serves as a switch formed in the semiconductor integrated circuit, tends to have a large size to lower on-state resistance. Accordingly, by preventing increase in number of switches, increase in chip area of the semiconductor integrated circuit can effectively be prevented. Furthermore, by reducing the number of external terminals for connecting to capacitors, it is possible to facilitate pattern designing of the substrate where a semiconductor integrated circuit is to be mounted. Accordingly, in the semiconductor integrated circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to achieve much more voltage boost factors and prevent increase in chip area.