Abstract:
A low dropout (LDO) regulator with a limited startup inrush current is disclosed. The LDO includes a power source, error amplifier, pass transistor, feedback network, and a current limit control whose input is electrically connected to the pass transistor and the electrical output of the error amplifier and whose output limits current during startup. The LDO can include a current control limit comparator including a power source, and output of the pass transistor. The LDO can also include a bypass mode current control limit comparator having a first input voltage of the error amplifier, and a second input voltage from the error amplifier.
Abstract:
Circuits and methods to improve dynamic load transient performance of circuits supplying high current and having parasitic resistances are disclosed. These circuits comprise e.g. LDOs, amplifiers or buffers. The circuits and methods are characterized by including parasitic resistances, caused by bond wires, metallization of pass devices, and substrate routings, in a loop for fast transient response. Furthermore the circuits comprise a stabilization circuit within said loop and a separate pad for said loop.
Abstract:
Circuits and methods to maintain a resistive voltage divider ratio during start-up of an electronic circuit comprising a feed-forward capacitor across a feedback resistor using a dynamic start-up circuit are disclosed as e.g. a LDO or an amplifier. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is applied to an LDO. Modification of the resistive voltage divider ratio caused by the feed-forward capacitor during start-up is prevented while the voltage level of a voltage access point of the voltage divider on the feed-forward capacitor is maintained. A start-up circuit comprises a start-up capacitor and a start-up comparator.
Abstract:
Methods and circuits for linearly controlling a limited, constant current during startup of LDOs, amplifiers, or DC-to-DC converters independent of load capacitor size and controlling a clean transition without glitches from a constant current (CC) mode during startup to a constant voltage (CV) mode during normal operation (CC-CV method) are disclosed. The constant current control loop and the constant voltage control loop are implemented in such a way that at the end of startup the voltage loop has taken over control and the current loop is moved far away from its active transistor region, allowing a switch of modes to occur without any nasty transitions on the output.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a system with improved power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) over a wide frequency range. The improved PSRR is achieved by negating the influence of the parasitic capacitance associated with the bias lines and the introduction of a regulated power supply with embodiments associated with providing a ripple free and regulated supply. With reduction of parasitic capacitance, and providing an ENABLE switch by a pre-regulated supply, the degradation of the PSRR is achieved. The embodiments include both n-channel and p-channel MOSFETs implementations, and a positive and negative regulated power supply voltage. With the combined influence of the utilization of the VREG supply, and the lowering of battery-to-bias line capacitance using design layout and improved floor planning an improved PSRR over a wide frequency distribution is achieved.
Abstract:
An overshoot reduction circuit within a low dropout voltage regulator eliminates an overshoot at an output terminal resulting from a transient fault condition occurring at an input or output terminal. The overshoot reduction circuit monitors to sense if there is a transient fault condition occurring at the input or output terminal and provides a Miller capacitance at the output terminal of a differential amplifier of the low dropout voltage regulator to prevent the output of the differential amplifier from being discharged to ground during the transient. A control loop circuit balances current within an active load of the differential amplifier to clamp the output of the differential amplifier to its normal operating point. When the transient fault condition ends, the output voltage of the differential amplifier is set such that a pass transistor of the low dropout regulator responds quickly to resume the regulation to reduce or eliminate the overshoot.
Abstract:
A pass device configured from a common gate transistor, wherein an input voltage is applied to the source and an output at the drain is applied to a load. The input resistance of the pass device increases as the input voltage is reduced and limits the useful range of the input voltage. Increasing the gate to source voltage (Vgs) by applying a negative voltage to the gate reduces the input resistance and increases the range of operation of the pass device.
Abstract:
A circuit is provided with inrush current protection through control of the output current at start-up by a current source that does not rely on the output capacitor and which provides a smooth transition from a controlled current mode during a start-up phase to a voltage regulation mode.
Abstract:
Circuits and methods to improve dynamic load transient performance of circuits supplying high current and having parasitic resistances are disclosed. These circuits comprise e.g. LDOs, amplifiers or buffers. The circuits and methods are characterized by including parasitic resistances, caused by bond wires, metallization of pass devices, and substrate routings, in a loop for fast transient response. Furthermore the circuits comprise a stabilization circuit within said loop and a separate pad for said loop.
Abstract:
An overshoot reduction circuit within a low dropout voltage regulator eliminates an overshoot at an output terminal resulting from a transient fault condition occurring at an input or output terminal. The overshoot reduction circuit monitors to sense if there is a transient fault condition occurring at the input or output terminal and provides a Miller capacitance at the output terminal of a differential amplifier of the low dropout voltage regulator to prevent the output of the differential amplifier from being discharged to ground during the transient. A control loop circuit balances current within an active load of the differential amplifier to clamp the output of the differential amplifier to its normal operating point. When the transient fault condition ends, the output voltage of the differential amplifier is set such that a pass transistor of the low dropout regulator responds quickly to resume the regulation to reduce or eliminate the overshoot.