Abstract: A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output.

Abstract: A power integrated circuit includes, in part, a multitude of controllers, a multitude of pulse-width generators, a multitude of output stages and a configuration matrix. Each controller is adapted to be responsive to a feedback signal and a reference signal to generate a control signal carrying pulse width information. Each control signal causes a difference between an associated output voltage feedback signal and the reference signal to be less than a predefined value. Each pulse-width generator is associated with and responsive to a different one of the controllers to generate a pulse-width modulated signal in response. The configuration matrix selectively couples the plurality of pulse-width generators to the output stages.

Abstract: A sensing circuit senses a load current to generate a sensed signal. A comparator's output is set to a first value if the sensed signal is equal to or greater than a reference signal, and to a second value if the sensed signal is smaller than the reference signal. A one-shot timer generates a logic signal that transitions from a first state to a second state in response to a first occurrence of the first value of the comparator's output, or optionally in response to each subsequent occurrence of the first value of the comparator's output if the one-shot timer is rearmed. A selector sets a first limit for the current delivered to the load in response to the first state of the logic signal, and a second limit for the current delivered to the load in response to the second state of the logic signal.

Abstract: Under-voltage, over-voltage, and temperature detectors disposed in a switching circuit are turned on periodically and in response to an oscillating signal having a low duty cycle. Accordingly, because the voltage and temperature detectors remain off for long durations, their operating currents, and thus the operating current of the switching circuit is substantially reduced. The switching circuit has a current limiting function which is disabled when the switch current is below a threshold value, thereby further decreasing the current consumption of the switching circuit at low switch current levels.

Abstract: A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output.

Abstract: A power integrated circuit includes, in part, a multitude of controllers, a multitude of pulse-width generators, a multitude of output stages and a configuration matrix. Each controller is adapted to be responsive to a feedback signal and a reference signal to generate a control signal carrying pulse width information. Each control signal causes a difference between an associated output voltage feedback signal and the reference signal to be less than a predefined value. Each pulse-width generator is associated with and responsive to a different one of the controllers to generate a pulse-width modulated signal in response. The configuration matrix selectively couples the plurality of pulse-width generators to the output stages.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes first and second closed-loop amplifiers and a N-type transistor. The first amplifier receives a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The second amplifier is responsive to the first amplifier and to the regulated output voltage of the regulator. Both amplifiers are biased by a biasing voltage. The second amplifier has a bandwidth greater than the bandwidth of the first amplifier and a gain smaller that the gain of the first amplifier. The N-type transistor has a first terminal responsive to the output of the second amplifier, a second terminal that receives the input voltage being regulated, and a third terminal that supplies the regulated output voltage. The feedback voltage is generating by dividing the regulated output voltage. An optional fixed or dynamically biased current source biases the first terminal of the N-type transistor. The voltage regulator optionally includes an overshoot correction circuit.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a digital control block, an amplifier and a transistor. The digital control block receives a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage, converts the received voltages from analog to digital signals, performs an integration operation on the converted signals, and converts the result of the integration operation to an analog signal. The amplifier is responsive to the output of the digital control block and to a regulated output voltage of the regulator circuit. The transistor has a first terminal responsive to the output of the amplifier, a second terminal that receives the input voltage being regulated, and a third terminal that supplies the regulated output voltage. The transistor may be an NMOS or a bipolar NPN transistor. The feedback voltage may be generated by dividing the regulated output voltage. The digital control block optionally generates a biasing signal to bias the amplifier.

Abstract: A switching circuit controls the flow of current between its input and output in accordance with the state of a control signal applied to the circuit. When the control signal is in a first state and the voltage applied to the input is higher than the voltage at the output, the circuit provides a low resistance path between its input and output terminals thereby enabling current to flow from the input to the output. When the control signal is in the first state and the voltage at the output is higher than the voltage at the input, the circuit inhibits current flow from the output to the input. When the control signal is in a second state, the circuit is turned off thus inhibiting current flow between the input and the output.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator circuit includes, in part, a latch, a pair of switches, a sensing circuit, an amplifier, a digital control block, and a comparator. The switches are responsive to the latch, and the sensing circuit is responsive to a current flowing through the switch that is on. The amplifier is responsive to a reference voltage signal and a voltage feedback signal to generate a first intermediate voltage signal. The digital control block receives the reference voltage signal and the voltage feedback signal and generates a second intermediate voltage signal operative to cause the difference between the voltage feedback signal and the reference voltage signal to be less than a predefined value. The first and second intermediate voltages define a threshold value. The comparator is adapted to receive the output of the sensing circuit and the threshold value and to change the state of the latch in response.

Abstract: A sensing circuit senses a load current to generate a sensed signal. A comparator's output is set to a first value if the sensed signal is equal to or greater than a reference signal, and to a second value if the sensed signal is smaller than the reference signal. A one-shot timer generates a logic signal that transitions from a first state to a second state in response to a first occurrence of the first value of the comparator's output, or optionally in response to each subsequent occurrence of the first value of the comparator's output if the one-shot timer is rearmed. A selector sets a first limit for the current delivered to the load in response to the first state of the logic signal, and a second limit for the current delivered to the load in response to the second state of the logic signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a digital control block, an amplifier and a transistor. The digital control block receives a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage, converts the received voltages from analog to digital signals, performs an integration operation on the converted signals, and converts the result of the integration operation to an analog signal. The amplifier is responsive to the output of the digital control block and to a regulated output voltage of the regulator circuit. The transistor has a first terminal responsive to the output of the amplifier, a second terminal that receives the input voltage being regulated, and a third terminal that supplies the regulated output voltage. The transistor may be an NMOS or a bipolar NPN transistor. The feedback voltage may be generated by dividing the regulated output voltage. The digital control block optionally generates a biasing signal to bias the amplifier.

Abstract: Under-voltage, over-voltage, and temperature detectors disposed in a switching circuit are turned on periodically and in response to an oscillating signal having a low duty cycle. Accordingly, because the voltage and temperature detectors remain off for long durations, their operating currents, and thus the operating current of the switching circuit is substantially reduced. The switching circuit has a current limiting function which is disabled when the switch current is below a threshold value, thereby further decreasing the current consumption of the switching circuit at low switch current levels.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes first and second closed-loop amplifiers and a N-type transistor. The first amplifier receives a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The second amplifier is responsive to the first amplifier and to the regulated output voltage of the regulator. Both amplifiers are biased by a biasing voltage. The second amplifier has a bandwidth greater than the bandwidth of the first amplifier and a gain smaller that the gain of the first amplifier. The N-type transistor has a first terminal responsive to the output of the second amplifier, a second terminal that receives the input voltage being regulated, and a third terminal that supplies the regulated output voltage. The feedback voltage is generating by dividing the regulated output voltage. An optional fixed or dynamically biased current source biases the first terminal of the N-type transistor. The voltage regulator optionally includes an overshoot correction circuit.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a digital control block, an amplifier and a transistor. The digital control block receives a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage, converts the received voltages from analog to digital signals, performs an integration operation on the converted signals, and converts the result of the integration operation to an analog signal. The amplifier is responsive to the output of the digital control block and to a regulated output voltage of the regulator circuit. The transistor has a first terminal responsive to the output of the amplifier, a second terminal that receives the input voltage being regulated, and a third terminal that supplies the regulated output voltage. The transistor may be an NMOS or a bipolar NPN transistor. The feedback voltage may be generated by dividing the regulated output voltage. The digital control block optionally generates a biasing signal to bias the amplifier.

Abstract: A switching voltage regulator circuit includes, in part, a latch, a pair of switches, a sensing circuit, an amplifier, a digital control block, and a comparator. The switches are responsive to the latch, and the sensing circuit is responsive to a current flowing through the switch that is on. The amplifier is responsive to a reference voltage signal and a voltage feedback signal to generate a first intermediate voltage signal. The digital control block receives the reference voltage signal and the voltage feedback signal and generates a second intermediate voltage signal operative to cause the difference between the voltage feedback signal and the reference voltage signal to be less than a predefined value. The first and second intermediate voltages define a threshold value. The comparator is adapted to receive the output of the sensing circuit and the threshold value and to change the state of the latch in response.

Abstract: A power integrated circuit includes, in part, a multitude of controllers, a multitude of pulse-width generators, a multitude of output stages and a configuration matrix. Each controller is adapted to be responsive to a feedback signal and a reference signal to generate a control signal carrying pulse width information. Each control signal causes a difference between an associated output voltage feedback signal and the reference signal to be less than a predefined value. Each pulse-width generator is associated with and responsive to a different one of the controllers to generate a pulse-width modulated signal in response. The configuration matrix selectively couples the plurality of pulse-width generators to the output stages.

Abstract: A low-voltage differential signal driver includes, in part, a current sourcing circuit, a current steering circuit, and a current sinking circuit. The current steering circuit steers the current generated by the current sourcing circuit in one of first and second directions to generate a positive or a negative differential output voltage. The steered current flows to the ground via the current sinking circuit. A voltage dividing circuit divides the differential output voltage so generated. A first voltage regulating circuit receives a first reference voltage and regulates the voltage of a node common to both the current steering circuit and the current sinking circuit. A second voltage regulating circuit receives a first voltage supply to regulate the voltage signal generated by the voltage dividing circuit. To track the on-resistance of the transistors disposed in the current steering circuitry, a replicating circuit receives the first voltage supply and generates the first reference voltage.

Abstract: A MEMS driver includes a digital control block receiving an external digital control word and generating digital control signals for use in controlling a reference current source. The reference current source generates a reference current to a high voltage output stage in response to the digital control signals. The high voltage output stage generates an output current to an integrator in response to the reference current. The integrator provides an output voltage to a drive electrode that electrostically controls the position of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: A MEMS driver includes a digital control block receiving an external digital control word and generating control signals for use in controlling a reference current source. The reference current source generates a reference current to a high voltage output stage in response to the digital control signals. The high voltage output stage generates an output current to an integrator in response to the reference current. The integrator provides an output voltage to a drive electrode that electrostically controls the position of the MEMS structure.