Patent Abstract:
A charge pump circuit and a method of compensating current mismatch in a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit comprises a core charge pump circuit; a replica charge pump circuit for sensing a current mismatch in the core charge pump circuit and for converting the sensed current mismatch into a voltage signal V_ctrl; wherein V-ctrl is utilized for compensating the current mismatch in the core charge pump circuit.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates broadly to a charge pump circuit and to a method for compensating current mismatch in a charge pump circuit. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A charge pump is an electronic circuit that uses switches to control the connections of voltages to double voltages, invert voltages, or generate arbitrary voltages, depending on the controller and circuit topology. An example for a charge pump circuit application is in phase locked loop circuits (PLL). For designing a charge pump circuit, an important objective is to minimize the mismatch between “up” (pull-up) and “down” (pull-down) currents. In an integer-N synthesizer, the current mismatch will cause the charge pump&#39;s output spectrum to have a higher reference spur. For fractional-N synthesizer, the current mismatch will cause an extra problem, known as higher in-band phase noise. 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  shows an existing charge pump circuit that attempts to deal with the mismatch problem between currents “up” and “down”. In this circuit, the original current source I_bias is mirrored to a common current branch for presenting “up” (I_up) and “down” (I_down) currents to N-MOS transistor M 1  and P-MOS transistor M 2  respectively. Between these two current carrying transistors (M 1 , M 2 ), there are four trans-gate switches (S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and S 4 ) of the same size and they form the current branch  101  (S 1  and S 2 ) parallel to a dummy branch  100  (S 3  and S 4 ). Each branch has its two trans-gate switches serially connected. The charge pump output voltage V_ds is taken at the CP_out point between S 1  and S 2  and a reference voltage V_ref is taken between S 3  and S 4 . Linking charge pump output (V_ds) and the voltage reference V_ref, a negative feedback is formed via an Operational Amplifier (Op) so that the voltage value V_ref follows V_ds. In these branches, D and U are digital signals from a phase frequency detector (PFD) to control the trans-gate switches (S 1  to S 4 ) so that the pumping of the positive and negative current (CP_out) is regulated. In this circuit, a charge injection is minimized by implementing the identical switches (S 1  to S 4 ) with a minimal size and the possible overlap charge injection is reduced by fine-tuning the size of current carrying transistors (M 1 , M 2 ). During operation, M 1  and M 2  are not switched on or off to prevent current switching effects on the drain of the current sources. When the charge pump is off i.e. both S 1  and S 2  are closed, the current is diverted into a dummy current branch  100  via S 3  and S 4 . 
         [0004]    In the charge pump circuit, there exists a systematic current variation due transistor mismatch between M 1  and M 2 . Consequently, the resulting current mismatch of the charge pump circuit is in practice difficult to avoid. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the simulation result for the charge pump circuit of  FIG. 1  is shown. The vertical axis represents the electric current value and the horizontal axis gives the reference voltage V_ref (0˜1.8V) value, which follows the charge pump output voltage V_ds. The current passing through M 1  (100 μA) is marked with I_up (curve  200 ) and the current passing through M 2  (−95 μA) is marked with I_down (curve  202 ). The current mismatch is illustrated by the current mismatch curve  204 . It can be observed that the circuit is not able to compensate the current mismatch and resulted current mismatch is quite large. 
         [0006]    Another existing charge pump circuit is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The charge pump connects an original current source (I_bias) with a feedback network portion  300 , a core charge pump portion  302  and a replica bias portion  304 . This circuit uses the replica bias circuit  304  to equalize up and down currents regardless of the charge pump&#39;s output voltage V_ds. However, the voltage range V_ds of this charge pump is narrow which inhibits the feedback loop from operating properly. Such charge pump circuits cannot have good current match and are limited in terms of dynamic voltage range. 
         [0007]    There are some charge pump circuits using digital circuits to control current mismatch. However, the digital circuit has to be turned on at all times to achieve good current match, which causes problems to the charge pump circuit. 
         [0008]    A need therefore exists for compensating current mismatch in a charge pump circuit that seeks to address at least one of the above problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    In accordance with a first aspect for the present invention there is provided a charge pump circuit comprising a core charge pump circuit; a replica charge pump circuit for sensing a current mismatch in the core charge pump circuit and for converting the sensed current mismatch into a voltage signal V_ctrl; wherein V-ctrl is utilised for compensating the current mismatch in the core charge pump circuit. 
         [0010]    The core charge pump circuit may include a first n-type transistor and a first p-type transistor, parallel first and second branches between respective drains of the first n-type and the first p-type transistor, each branch including two switch elements, and a voltage follower circuit connected between a V_ref input point and a CP_out point between the switch elements on the first and second branches respectively; 
         [0011]    the replica charge pump circuit may include a second n-type transistor and a second n-type transistor, two switch elements of the same type as the switch elements of the core charge pump circuit connected in series between the drains of the second n-type and the second p-type transistor; and a feedback loop with one input taken from a point between the two switch elements of the replica charge pump circuit and V_ref supplied to another input of the feedback loop and V-ctrl as the output of the feedback loop. 
         [0012]    The charge pump circuit may further comprise a first current compensating circuit for converting V_ctrl into a compensating “up” current, and a second current compensating circuit for converting V_ctrl into a compensating “down” current. 
         [0013]    The compensating “up” current may be supplied to the drains of the first and second n-type transistors, and the compensating “down” current is supplied to the drains of the first and second p-type transistors. 
         [0014]    The first and second compensating circuits may comprise respective differential circuits for converting a voltage difference between V_ref and V_ctrl into the compensating “up” and “down” currents respectively. 
         [0015]    The switch elements may comprise trans-gate switches. 
         [0016]    Current mismatch may be substantially compensated over a range of more than about 1V in variation of V_ref. 
         [0017]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of compensating current mismatch in a charge pump circuit, the method comprising sensing the current mismatch in the charge pump circuit; converting the sensed current mismatch into a voltage signal V_ctrl; and utilising V-ctrl to compensate the current mismatch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a circuit diagram of an existing charge pump circuit for compensating up and down current mismatch; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a simulation result for the current mismatch of the charge pump circuit of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows another existing charge pump circuit for reducing current mismatch; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a circuit diagram of a charge pump circuit with a replica charge pump; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows up and down current supply circuits connected to the charge pump circuit of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows simulation results of the disclosed charge pump circuit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a charge pump circuit for reducing current mismatch is disclosed. The charge pump comprises three portions, namely a current source portion  400 , a core charge pump portion  402  and the replica charge pump portion  404 . 
         [0026]    The current source portion  400  comprises an original current source I_bias and three transistors (Q 1 , Q 2 , Q 3 ). These transistors mirror the current from the original current source I_bias to give positive and negative output currents. In particular, the original current I_bias connects to the source of Q 3  and drain of Q 1 . The drain of Q 1  and gates of Q 1  and Q 2  are joined together. The sources of Q 1  and Q 2  are connected to ground. The gate of Q 3  is connected to its drain and further to the drain of Q 2 . The source of Q 3  as well as the original current source I_bias are connected to a positive supply voltage V_dd. 
         [0027]    The core charge pump circuit  402  is connected to the mirrored current sources for receiving up and down currents. At the up current side of M 1 , the source of M 1  is connected to the source of Q 3  and the gates of M 1  and Q 3  are jointly connected to the drain of Q 2 . At the down current side, the source of M 2  connects the sources of Q 1  and Q 2  to ground. The gates of M 2 , Q 2  and Q 1  are connected together to the original current source I_bias directly. 
         [0028]    Between the up and down current carrying transistors M 1  and M 2 , there are two parallel branches comprising four trans-gate switches, namely S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and S 4 . S 1  and S 2  are serially connected between M 1  and M 2  to form a current branch  406  and the charge pump output V_ds (CP_out) is taken between the trans-gate switches S 1  and S 2 . Parallel to S 1  and S 2 , S 3  and S 4  are serially connected to form a dummy branch  408  between M 1  and M 2  where the voltage reference V_ref is taken between the switches S 3  and S 4 . The reference voltage V_ref is also at the output of an Operational Amplifier (OPAMP) Op  1  and control signals D and U for the trans-gate switches (S 1 , S 2 , S 3  and S 4 ) are taken from a Phase Frequency Detector (PFD). 
         [0029]    Between the current branch  406  and the dummy branch  408 , a negative feedback loop  410  (voltage follower) is formed by Opt between the charge pump output  411  and the reference voltage V_ref. 
         [0030]    The replica charge pump circuit  404  is used for sensing the current mismatch of the core charge pump  402 . Within the replica charge pump in out  404 , a feedback loop  412  is used to convert the sensed current mismatch into a voltage signal, V_ctrl. 
         [0031]    The replica charge pump circuit  404  has two transistors (M 3  and M 4 ) and two trans-gate switches (S 5  and S 6 ). M 3  and M 4  have the same size as M 1  and M 2  while S 5  and S 6  have the same size as S 1  to S 4 . M 3 , S 5 , S 6  and M 4  are connected in series. The current mismatch due to the size mismatch and the drain voltages of transistors M 1  and M 2  can be compensated in the implementation shown in  FIG. 4 . It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that for M 1  and M 3 , and for M 2  and M 4 , a good match can be achieved, typically less than 1% in real circuits. The trans-gate switches S 5  and S 6  are maintained at an on state continuously during the charge pump&#39;s circuit  401  operation. Between the trans-gate switches S 5  and S 6 , a connection marked as point A is coupled to a second Operational Amplifier Op 2  to form the negative feedback loop  412 . 
         [0032]    The feedback loop  412  of the replica charge pump circuit  404  is formed around the Operational Amplifier Op 2 . Here, Op 2  is a rail-to-rail OPAMP and it is used as trans-impedance amplifier (TIA). In particular, the input from point A is linked to the inverting input  414  and a control voltage V_ctrl is fed back from the output  416  of Op 2  to the inverting input  414  via a resistor R. On the other hand, the reference voltage V_ref is supplied to the non-inverting input  418  of Op 2 . 
         [0033]    For the “external” connections of the replica charge pump circuit  404 , the source and gate of M 3  are connected to the source and gate of M 1  respectively. Similarly, the source and gate of M 4  are connected to the source and gate of M 2  respectively. 
         [0034]    During operation, the current mismatch of the original charge pump output V_ds (at CP_out) is mirrored to point A by the replica charge pump circuit  404  and supplied to the second Operational Amplifier Op 2 , which is used as TIA. If the “up” current on M 1  is lower than the “down” current, V_ctrl becomes higher than V_ref. If the “up” current is higher than the “down” current, V_ctrl becomes lower than V_ref. Thus, the mismatch in the “up” and “down” current is effectively converted into a differential voltage signal V_ctrl. Additional differential circuits are used to convert the V_ctrl into compensating current signals. The differential circuits are described below with reference to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and ( b ). 
         [0035]    The disclosed charge pump circuit of  FIG. 4  has four additional current input connecting, labeled as I_ 1 , I_ 2 , I_ 3  and I_ 4 . I_ 1  and I_ 3  are for receiving compensation “up” current while I_ 2  and I_ 4  are for receiving compensation “down” current. The compensating “up” current supply circuit is shown in  FIG. 5(   a ) and the compensating “down” current supply is illustrated by  FIG. 5(   b ). 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   a ), the compensating “up” current source  500  is regulated by V_ref and V_ctrl. In particular, there are seven transistors (Q 4  to Q 7  and M 5  to M 7 ) forming the current source. Q 4  to Q 7  form source loop  501  and M 5  to M 7  are connected in parallel. Within the loop, Q 6 &#39;s drain connects to Q 4 &#39;s drain and Q 7 &#39;s drain connects to Q 5 &#39;s drain. The sources of Q 4  and Q 5  are connected together to ground via a current source  502 . The sources of Q 6  and Q 7  are connected to a positive voltage V_dd. The gates of Q 6  and Q 7  are also connected to the drain of Q 4 . V_ref is applied to the gate of Q 4  and V_ctrl is applied to the gate of Q 5 . For M 5  to M 7 , all sources are connected to the sources of Q 6  and Q 7  and all gates are connected to the drain of Q 5 . The gate of M 5  is also connected to the drain of Q 5 . The “up” current output to node I_ 1  and I_ 3  are taken from the drains of M 6  and M 7  respectively. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5(   b ), the compensating “down” current is also regulated by V_ref and V_ctrl. In particular, there are seven transistors (Q 8  to Q 11  and M 8  to M 10 ) forming the current source  511 . Q 8  to Q 11  form a loop source  510  and M 8  to M 10  are connected in parallel. Within the loop  510 , Q 10 &#39;s drain connects to Q 8 &#39;s drain and Q 11 &#39;s drain connects to Q 9 &#39;s drain. The sources of Q 8  and Q 9  are connected to ground. The sources of Q 10  and Q 11  are connected to a positive voltage V_dd via a current source  512 . The gates of Q 8  and Q 9  are connected to the drain of Q 10 . V_ref is applied to the gate of Q 10  and V_ctrl is applied to the gate of Q 11 . For M 8  to M 10 , the sources are connected to the sources of Q 8  and Q 9  at ground and all gates are connected to the drain of Q 9 . The gate of M 8  is also connected to the drain of Q 9 . The compensating “down” current output I_ 2  and I_ 4  are taken from the drains of M 8  and M 9  respectively. It will be appreciated that sources  502  and  512  may be mirrored from one current source. 
         [0038]    The above-disclosed charge pump circuits provide current mismatch feedback. The feedback will compensate the current mismatch and force “up” and “down” currents closer over a wider V_ds range. 
         [0039]    A simulation result of the disclosed charge pump circuit is presented in  FIG. 6 . The vertical axis and horizontal axis denotes the mismatch current value in μA and reference voltage value V_ref respectively. In the graph, the “up” current I_up (curve  600 ) and down current I_down (curve  602 ) are plotted together with the curve  604  of current mismatch. The graph shows that the current mismatch is less than about 1% when the reference voltage V_ref varies from about 0.2V to about 1.5V, i.e. providing a V_ref range of more than about 1V. Also shown in  FIG. 6  are the compensating “up” and “down” currents in curves  606  and  608  respectively. 
         [0040]    It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7