VDoubler 061307

Microchip Technology Inc.
A Low-cost, Regulated Voltage Doubler
A Low-Cost Regulated
Voltage Doubler
© 2007 Microchip Technology Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. A Low-Cost Regulated Voltage Doubler Slide 1
© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1

z The Problem:
− Additional voltage required

− Minimal board real estate
− Only one voltage source is available
I was recently talking to some fellow engineers here at Microchip about a design I
was working on. The main problem was that I needed a voltage source that was
higher than what the supply to the circuit was. This design was intended to be
released shortly and I didn’t have time for a complete redo of the circuit. So I need
an innovative solution that minimized component count but effectively solved the
problem. An engineer who I really respect provided me with a simple solution to my
dilemma. I could provide an increased voltage source using what I already had on
the board with only a few extra components. Furthermore, since the microcontroller
I was using had a comparator and a clock out pin I could regulate this voltage quite
nicely with some minor changes to my firmware. The solution…

Voltage Doubler
A capacitive voltage doubler. Now, I’m a fairly new engineer here and needed some
guidance through this design. The concept seemed simple enough but I still needed
some information to get me started. We sat down over a cup of coffee and we
walked through the following steps.

Building a Charge Pump

Voltage
VS
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D1
Time
+ _
+ VTD1
VS
_
First we discussed the basic components of what is known as a charge pump. A

single voltage supply is used along with a transfer capacitor. Breaking the circuit
down in steps, when the voltage is applied to the circuit a diode becomes forward
biased allowing current to flow thereby charging the transfer capacitor.

Building a Voltage Doubler

Voltage
VS
VTD1
VCT
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D1
Time
+ _
+ VTD1
VS
_
The capacitor’s voltage will charge to whatever the supply voltage is minus
whatever the threshold voltage of the diode was.


Voltage
VS
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT
VS _
_
Now, if a second capacitor and diode were applied to the output of the circuit…


Voltage
VS
VTD1
VCT
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D2
Time
D1
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT
VS _
_
The threshold capacitor will still charge same as before through diode D1.


Voltage
VS
VTD1
VCT
VTD2
VCOUT
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
This second capacitor would eventually charge to the supply voltage minus the two
diode drops. This all seems fairly straightforward but the output voltage to this circuit
is less than where we started.

Applying a Switching Signal

Voltage
VS + V A = 2 VS
Amplitude = VS VS
_
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
However, if a pulse train were applied to the negative terminal of the transfer
capacitor, an interesting thing happens. We can increase this output voltage
dramatically using the charge already existing on the transfer capacitor along with
whatever voltage is supplied by the pulse train. In this example, the pulse train has
an amplitude equal to our supply voltage. This makes perfect sense considering that
later we will be using the clock output of a microcontroller to generate this signal.


Voltage
VS + V A = 2 VS
Amplitude = VS VS
_
0V CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
During the LOW transition of the pulse train, the supply voltage charges both
capacitors.


Voltage
VS + V A = 2 VS
VCT
+ ½ vA VCOUT
VA = VS VS
_ + ½ vA
VA CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
When the pulse train goes HIGH or is equal to the supply voltage, the voltage that
already exists on the transfer capacitor is added. This will forward bias the diode
(D2) and therefore start to charge the output capacitor. Both the transfer capacitor
and output capacitor will average out to whatever their previous charge was plus
half of the amplitude of the pulse train. I bet you can see where this is going.


Voltage
VS + V A = 2 VS
VCOUT
Amplitude = VS VS
_ VCT
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 Time
Pulse train applied
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
As we continue to apply the pulse train the voltage across both capacitors will
continue to average out with subsequent pulses until an output voltage equal to 2 x
the supply minus two diode drops is reached at the output. Now, you may be saying
to yourselves, that’s great but how do you find the capacitor values for our circuit.
Well let’s look at that…

Choosing Capacitors
Minimizing capacitor impedances

improves the power efficiency of our
circuit.
Amplitude = VS
_
CT VCT
+
D1 D2
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
If we consider Power Efficiency, and we should, Efficiency improves as impedances

of capacitors are minimal at pump frequency.

Choosing Capacitors
1
XC =
2π x (pump frequency) x (capacitance)
*the larger the capacitance the
less the impedance
Amplitude = VS
_
CT VCT
+
D1 D2
+ _ + _ +
+ VTD1 VTD2 COUT
VCOUT
VS _
_
Using the formula for Reactance we can see that if the capacitance of our network
is large, the impedance will decrease. Alternately, the lower the capacitance the
larger the impedance. This tells us that if we can keep our capacitor values as large
as possible, we will decrease the impedance of our circuit. However, we do need to
consider an important factor in all of this…

Equivalent Series Resistance
Capacitor Response
1M 1 nf
Impedance (W)
100k Ceramic
0.01 mf
10k
Ceramic
1k
100
10 1 mf
Tantalum
1
100 1k 10k 100k 1M 10M
Frequency (Hz)
Equivalent series resistance or ESR is a result of lead resistance, terminal losses

etc… The important thing to remember here is that depending on the type of
capacitor you are using, impedances will differ over frequency.

Equivalent Series Resistance
Capacitor Response
1M 1 nf
Impedance (W)
100k Ceramic
0.01 mf
10k
Ceramic
1k
100
10 1 mf
Tantalum
1
100 1k 10k 100k 1M 10M
Frequency (Hz)
At higher frequencies
impedances will begin
to increase
Looking closer at the capacitor responses, you can see that as the frequency
continues to increase, the ESR begins to increase. This seems to indicate that the
reactance formula we looked at earlier stops being relevant as the capacitors start
responding more like inductors at higher frequencies. Notice also that the larger
capacitor, 1mFarad Tantalum does have lower impedances at lower frequencies but
is affected earlier than the others at higher frequencies. Bottom line, when choosing
capacitors for our circuit we want them to have as high capacitance as possible
without introducing the effects of ESR.

Choosing Capacitors
Energy = ½ CT x VIN2
POWER = ½ CT x VIN2 x FPUMP
Amplitude = VS
_
CT VCT
+
D1 D2
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT
VS _
_
We can further calculate our Power output by using the equation for Energy, ½ Ct x
Vin2, multiplied by the frequency of our pump (the output frequency from the
CLKOUT pin).

Choosing Capacitors
4
Amplitude = VS CT = RL x FPUMP
_
CT VCT
+
D1 D2 IRL
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT +
VS _ RL VRL
_ _
By manipulating this equation, we can find the value at which our transfer capacitor
should for a particular load represented by the Load resistor on our schematic.

Choosing Capacitors
4
Amplitude = VS CT = RL x FPUMP
_
CT VCT
+
D1 D2
+ _
_
+VTD2 + COUT = 10 x CT
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT
VS _
_
As you may remember, if we use a rather large output capacitor we can minimize
output ripple. Therefore, as a rule of thumb, keep the output capacitor value at
about one order of magnitude greater than what you calculated your transfer
capacitor to be.

Effect of Applying a Load

VRL
As current draw increases

Amplitude = VS
_ the output voltage will sag
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 IRL IRL
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT +
VS _ RL VRL
_ _
As current draw increases at the output, the voltage will at the output will sag.

Effect of Applying a Load

VRL
Regulated Voltage
Regulating VRL allows a
consistent output voltage
Amplitude = VS
over a current range
_ should the load change
CT VCT
+ 0
D1 D2 IRL IRL
+ _
_
+VTD2 +
+ VTD1 COUT VCOUT +
VS _ RL VRL
_ _
If we could somehow regulate the voltage at the output to only operate in a certain
range, we could ensure a consistent output voltage. We could do this with the
addition of some extra components such as a zener and transistor. But remember
that the microcontroller I am using in my original design has a comparator onboard.

Adding Feedback
This allows me to include a regulator that comes with the added bonus of a CPU for
intelligence.

Using Intelligent Feedback

PIC® Microcontroller
CLKOUT
VREF
Comparator CT
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
R1
C1OUT COUT
1 = 0.6V > C1VIN-
0 = 0.6V < C1VIN-
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
Let’s take a look at how we would do this. First, you’ll notice that the same
components from our basic voltage doubler are still present. Two capacitors, two
diodes and a pulse train that will be supplied by the clock out pin on the
microcontroller. This is a common feature that allows the clock signal of our
microcontroller to be used by off chip devices.

Comparator Monitors Output

Voltage
C1OUT
CLKOUT
1 = 0.6V > C1VIN-
VREF 0 = 0.6V < C1VIN-
Comparator CT
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
R1
COUT
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
Notice that a resistor divider network is also incorporated on the output with voltage
divider being sent into the negative reference input to our on-board comparator.
Most of the microcontrollers that Microchip manufactures will have a 0.6V internal
reference voltage. As you may recall that in this configuration if the voltage on the
negative reference drops below the 0.6V reference the comparator will output a
logic HIGH (1) that approximates the supply voltage of our microcontroller. On the
other hand, if this negative reference rises above the 0.6V reference, the
comparator’s output will drop to a logic LOW or zero volts. So if we configure our
resistor divider appropriately we can effectively provide a supply voltage from our
comparator output that is regulated based on what the sense voltage is. So let’s
build this divider network.

Determining Voltage Sense

Resistors
IR2 = 0.6V/R2 , when VR2 = 0.6V
CLKOUT
VREF
Comparator CT
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
R1
COUT
+ IR2
_ VR2
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
The easiest way to do this is to use our reference voltage. If the voltage at Vsense
is at the boundary that determines what the comparator output will be, what will be
the current across the arbitrary R2 resistor. I’m not going to include values here but
you can see that this is basic Ohm’s law to find the current. Now that we know the
current across R2…

Determining Voltage Sense

Resistors
IR2 = 0.6V/R2 , when VR2 = 0.6V
CLKOUT R1 = (VOUTDESIRED – VR1 )/ IR2

VREF
Comparator
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_ VOUT
_
+ _ +VTD2 +
VTD1
R1 VR1
COUT _
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
We can figure out what our R1 should. First we decide exactly what we want our
output voltage to be. We already know what Vsense will be and we know the current
that will flow through the divider. Again, using basic Ohm’s law we can calculate our
R1 value by dividing the voltage drop across R1 by the current through the divider.

Implementing Variable
Output Voltage
Now that we have all our components figured out and a pretty good regulator for our
output, we can also look at how could generate a variable output voltage.

Variable Output Voltage

Use a variable resistor at
CLKOUT R2 to vary VSENSE
VREF
Comparator CT
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
R1
C1OUT COUT
1 = 0.6V > C1VIN-
0 = 0.6V < C1VIN-
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
First, we could do this by varying the R2 resistor. By doing so, this will change our
voltage divider effectively changing our output voltage. This is all well and good.
Remember though, we have a CPU at our disposal that can add an element of
intelligence to our design.

Variable Output Voltage

Vary positive reference
CLKOUT voltage in software using
VREF VRCON register
Comparator CT
C1OUT D1 D2
+
_
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
R1
C1OUT COUT
1 = 0.6V > C1VIN-
0 = 0.6V < C1VIN-
C1IN- R2
VSENSE
Some of the Microcontrollers available here at Microchip come with a variable

voltage reference control register called VRCON. Here we can configure the
software or firmware to change this reference voltage based on external conditions.
The possibilities are limited only by the programmer’s imagination. By varying the
reference voltage you are effectively changing when the comparator will output a
HIGH or a LOW. This makes for a very robust design.

Voltage Inverter
As it turned out, we also discussed the possibility of a voltage inverter for another
design I was working on.

Voltage Inverter
Voltage
VDD CLKOUT
0V
+
CT
_VCT
D1 D2
0 Time
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
_ VOUT
COUT VCOUT
+
This could easily be accomplished using the same components we used in the
voltage doubler design. By simply removing the supply voltage and applying the
output capacitor to the anode of the D1 diode we could create a voltage output that
is a negative approximation of the amplitude of our clk output amplitude.

Inverter
Voltage
VDD
VTD2
CLKOUT
0
HIGH (VDD) VX
+
CT
_VCT
D1 D2
Time
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
FORWARD BIASED
VX
_ VOUT
COUT VCOUT
+
How it works is fairly straightforward. On the HIGH transition of the clock period, the
transfer capacitor will charge. This will leave a positive voltage at the node between
our two diodes labeled Vx equal to the threshold voltage of the D2 diode.

Inverter
Voltage
VDD
CLKOUT
0
LOW (0V)
+ VX
CT
_VCT
D1 D2
Time
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
VX
_ VOUT
COUT VCOUT
+
ICOUT Vx becomes more negative than
VOUT
Here’s where the magic happens, on the negative going transition of the voltage
shown at node Vx becomes more negative than the voltage at Vout. This will
forward bias the Diode D1 and current begins to flow across Cout.

Inverter
Voltage
PIC Microcontroller
®
VDD
CLKOUT
0
LOW (0V) VOUT
+ VTD1
CT -VDD
_VCT
D1 D2
Time
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
Forward Biased
VX
_ VOUT
COUT VCOUT
+
Charge in CT and COUT balance
The voltages across both the transfer and output capacitors balance out.

Inverter
Voltage
VDD
CLKOUT
0
LOW (0V) VOUT
+ VTD1
CT -VDD
_VCT
D1 D2
Time
_
+ _ +VTD2
VTD1
Forward Biased
VX
_ VOUT
COUT VCOUT
+
VOUT becomes more negative
This causes the voltage at node Vout to drop below zero volts.

Inverter
Voltage
VDD
VDD CLKOUT
0
0V
+ VOUT
CT -VDD
_VCT
VTD1
D1 D2
Time
+ _ + _
VTD1 VTD2
VX
_
COUT
+ VCOUT VOUT = -VDD + VTD1 + VTD2
As the clk output of the microcontroller continues, the capacitors will continue to
average the voltage supplied added to the previous charge across them. Eventually,
the output voltage will settle to voltage that is equal to a negative of whatever the
amplitude of our clock signal is plus whatever the threshold voltages are of the
diodes.

Summary
z Create a Voltage Doubler:

− Using two capacitors and two diodes
− Clock output pin of microcontroller can be
used as “Pump” signal
− Regulate the output
− Simple resistor divider VOUT
− On-board comparator +
R1 VR1
_
IR2 = 0.6V/R2 , when VR2 = 0.6V
R1 = (VOUTDESIRED – VR1 )/ IR2
VSENSE R2
C1IN-
After our coffee I immediately jotted down a few notes from our conversation. By
using only a few external components I was able to create additional voltage in my
circuit without eating up board real estate. Not only could I regulate this voltage
using a simple comparator on the Microcontroller and resistor divider using basic
Ohm’s law, but I could also use the clock output pin as a pump to the basic charge
pump circuit. If that weren’t enough, using the same components I could create a
voltage inverter using only the clock output pin. Wild stuff! I have got to have coffee
with this guy more often.

Summary
Variable VREF
z Variable output using Comparator
VRCON register
+
_
z Capacitor Selection
− Transfer Capacitor (CT)
4
CT = RL x FPUMP CT
D1 D2
− Output Capacitor (COUT) + _

VTD1
+ _
VTD2 COUT
should be at least 10x CT
I could even get fancy and provide a variable output voltage simply by changing the
reference voltage on the comparator using the voltage reference control register
found on some PIC Microcontrollers. Capacitor selection seemed reasonable, all I
had to do was figure out what my load resistance would be and keep the output
capacitor value at least 10 times what I calculated the transfer cap to be.

Summary
z Inverter can be created using the same

components
Voltage Doubler Voltage Inverter
CT CT
D1 D2 D1 D2
VOUT
+ +VTD_1 +VTD_2 2XVDD +VTD1_ _
+VTD2
VDD COUT
_ VOUT
-VDD
COUT
If that weren’t enough, using the same components I could create a voltage inverter
using only the clock output pin. Wild stuff! I have got to have coffee with this guy
more often.

Additional Resources
z AN701: Switch Mode Battery Eliminator Based

on a PIC16C72A
z AN216: DC/DC Converter Controller Using a

z TB008: Transformerless Power Supply
z AN823: Analog Design in a Digital World Using

Mixed Signal Controllers
z DS41283A: Intelligent Power Supply Design

Tips ‘n Tricks

Thank You!

VDoubler 061307

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

VDoubler 061307

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

VDoubler 061307

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Microchip Technology Inc.

A Low-cost, Regulated Voltage Doubler

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 1

− Additional voltage required

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 2

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 3

Building a Charge Pump

First we discussed the basic components of what is known as a charge pump. A

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 4

Building a Voltage Doubler

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 5

Building a Voltage Doubler

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 6

Building a Voltage Doubler

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 7

Building a Voltage Doubler

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 8

Applying a Switching Signal

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 9

Applying a Switching Signal

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 10

Applying a Switching Signal

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 11

Applying a Switching Signal

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 12

Minimizing capacitor impedances

If we consider Power Efficiency, and we should, Efficiency improves as impedances

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 13

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 14

Equivalent Series Resistance

Equivalent series resistance or ESR is a result of lead resistance, terminal losses

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 15

Equivalent Series Resistance

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 16

POWER = ½ CT x VIN2 x FPUMP

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 17

POWER = ½ CT x VIN2 x FPUMP

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 18

POWER = ½ CT x VIN2 x FPUMP

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 19

Effect of Applying a Load

As current draw increases

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 20

Effect of Applying a Load

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 21

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 22

Using Intelligent Feedback

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 23

Comparator Monitors Output

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 24

Determining Voltage Sense

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 25

Determining Voltage Sense

CLKOUT R1 = (VOUTDESIRED – VR1 )/ IR2

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 26

© 2007 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. Page 27

Variable Output Voltage