Charge Pump Voltage Multiplier Calculator
Calculate Dickson charge pump output voltage, loaded voltage, output ripple, and efficiency for switched-capacitor voltage multiplier circuits
Formula
V_oc = V_in × (N+1), V_out = V_oc − N × I_out / (f × C)
How It Works
A charge pump is an electronic circuit that converts a DC input voltage to a higher or lower DC output voltage using capacitive storage and switching techniques. Unlike traditional transformers, charge pumps use capacitors and switching elements to transfer and accumulate electrical charge, enabling voltage conversion without magnetic components. These circuits are particularly useful in low-power and compact electronic systems where traditional voltage regulation methods are impractical.
Worked Example
Given: Input voltage (Vin) = 3.3V, Charge Pump Multiplier = 2, Capacitance (C) = 10μF Step 1: Calculate Output Voltage Vout = Vin × Charge Pump Multiplier Vout = 3.3V × 2 = 6.6V Step 2: Verify Charge Transfer Q = C × ΔV Q = 10μF × (6.6V - 3.3V) = 33 nC Final Output Voltage: 6.6V
Practical Tips
- ✓Always consider charge pump efficiency, which typically ranges between 70-90%
- ✓Use low-ESR capacitors for improved performance
- ✓Include input and output filtering capacitors to reduce noise
- ✓Consider thermal management for high-current applications
Common Mistakes
- ✗Neglecting parasitic capacitance and switching losses
- ✗Overlooking maximum current capacity of the charge pump
- ✗Ignoring input voltage ripple and its impact on output stability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a charge pump voltage converter?
A charge pump is an electronic circuit that transfers electrical charge between capacitors to convert input voltage to a different output voltage using switched capacitor techniques.
How efficient are typical charge pump circuits?
Most charge pump circuits operate with efficiency between 70-90%, depending on design complexity and component selection.
Where are charge pumps commonly used?
Charge pumps are frequently used in microelectronics, mobile devices, LED drivers, analog circuits, and low-power voltage regulation applications.
Shop Components
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Related Calculators
Power
PWM Duty Cycle
Calculate PWM duty cycle, frequency, average voltage, off-time, and RMS voltage from on-time and period parameters
Power
Switching Regulator Ripple
Calculate buck converter output voltage ripple, inductor current ripple, and ESR contribution for switching regulator design
Power
Boost Converter
Calculate duty cycle, inductor value, and output capacitor for boost (step-up) DC-DC converter design
Power
Voltage Divider
Calculate voltage divider output voltage, current, Thévenin impedance, and power dissipation from Vin, R1, and R2. Ideal for bias networks and level shifting.
Power
LED Resistor
Calculate the correct current limiting resistor for an LED. Shows exact value, nearest E24 standard, actual current, and power dissipation.
Power
Buck Converter
Design a synchronous buck (step-down) converter: calculate duty cycle, inductor value, output capacitor, input capacitor, and theoretical efficiency.