Abstract: A regulator includes: a first transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to control a control voltage of a control electrode of the first transistor such that a voltage of the output terminal approaches a target voltage according to a feedback voltage proportional to the voltage of the output terminal; a second transistor having one end connected to the input terminal and a control electrode to which the control voltage is applied in common with the first transistor; and a clamp circuit configured to set the other end of the second transistor to a voltage determined by the voltage of the output terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a linear regulator for generating an output voltage from an input voltage with reference to a ground potential, the linear regulator including a semiconductor integrated circuit, and an external diode that is externally connected to the semiconductor integrated circuit, in which the semiconductor integrated circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, an output transistor, a parallel diode, and a control circuit, and an anode of the external diode is connected to a ground, and a cathode of the external diode is connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: A regulator includes: a first transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to control a control voltage of a control electrode of the first transistor such that a voltage of the output terminal approaches a target voltage according to a feedback voltage proportional to the voltage of the output terminal; a second transistor having one end connected to the input terminal and a control electrode to which the control voltage is applied in common with the first transistor; and a clamp circuit configured to set the other end of the second transistor to a voltage determined by the voltage of the output terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, for example, an external terminal, an output element, a detecting element configured to detect occurrence of a negative voltage at the external terminal, and an off-circuit configured to forcibly turn off the output element when the detecting element detects occurrence of the negative voltage.

Abstract: A regulator circuit supplies an output voltage VOUT to a load. A second transistor is arranged in parallel with a first transistor, and has a relatively small size. A feedback circuit generates a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal according to the output voltage VOUT. A first error amplifier controls the first transistor such that the first feedback signal approaches a first reference value. A second error amplifier controls the second transistor such that the second feedback signal approaches a second reference value. In a light-load state, the operation of the first error amplifier is maintained.

Abstract: There is provided a regulator including: a first transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to control a control voltage of a control electrode of the first transistor so that a voltage of the output terminal reaches a target voltage according to a feedback voltage proportional to an output voltage; a second transistor having a control electrode to which the control voltage is applied in common with the first transistor; a first resistor connected with the second transistor in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and a current limiting circuit configured to detect a voltage generated across the first resistor and to change the control voltage so as to limit a current flowing through the first transistor.

Abstract: A series regulator includes, for example, first and second operational amplifiers, for driving a first transistor for a heavy load and a second transistor for a light load respectively, and an amplifier control circuit. The amplifier control circuit controls the first and second operational amplifiers such that, in a light load region, a first output current passing through the first transistor has a zero value and a second output current passing through the second transistor covers the entire output current passing through a load, and such that, in a heavy load region, the second output current has a zero value (or a fixed value lower than an amplifier switching threshold value) and the first output current covers the entire output current (or a difference left by subtracting the second output current from the output current).

Abstract: A switching control circuit includes a first current source, a second current source, a first switch disposed between the first current source and a gate of a switching element, and a second switch disposed between the second current source and the gate of the switching element. The first switch and the second switch are complementarily turned on and off according to a pulse signal. At least one of a value of current supplied to the gate of the switching element from the first current source when the first switch is turned on, and a value of current that flows out from the gate of the switching element to the second current source when the second switch is turned on, is changed periodically.

Abstract: A series regulator includes, for example, first and second operational amplifiers, for driving a first transistor for a heavy load and a second transistor for a light load respectively, and an amplifier control circuit. The amplifier control circuit controls the first and second operational amplifiers such that, in a light load region, a first output current passing through the first transistor has a zero value and a second output current passing through the second transistor covers the entire output current passing through a load, and such that, in a heavy load region, the second output current has a zero value (or a fixed value lower than an amplifier switching threshold value) and the first output current covers the entire output current (or a difference left by subtracting the second output current from the output current).

Abstract: A regulator includes: a first transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to control a control voltage of a control electrode of the first transistor such that a voltage of the output terminal approaches a target voltage according to a feedback voltage proportional to the voltage of the output terminal; a second transistor having one end connected to the input terminal and a control electrode to which the control voltage is applied in common with the first transistor; and a clamp circuit configured to set the other end of the second transistor to a voltage determined by the voltage of the output terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a regulator including: a first transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to control a control voltage of a control electrode of the first transistor so that a voltage of the output terminal reaches a target voltage according to a feedback voltage proportional to an output voltage; a second transistor having a control electrode to which the control voltage is applied in common with the first transistor; a first resistor connected with the second transistor in series between the input terminal and the output terminal; and a current limiting circuit configured to detect a voltage generated across the first resistor and to change the control voltage so as to limit a current flowing through the first transistor.

Abstract: A linear power source includes: an output transistor connected between an input terminal of an input voltage and an output terminal of an output voltage; a driver configured to drive the output transistor so that the output voltage or a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage matches a predetermined reference voltage; and a depletion type NMOSFET configured to generate a drain current that decreases as the output voltage rises, and to add the drain current to a current to be boosted at startup.

Abstract: The present overcurrent protective device comprises an input terminal configured to receive a power supply voltage, an output terminal, a switch, a detector, and a controller. The switch is provided between the input terminal and the output terminal. The detector is configured to output a limitation signal without delay when a current flowing through the switch exceeds a prescribed tolerance value. The controller is configured to receive the limitation signal and control the switch to prevent the current from exceeding the tolerance value. The detector is configured output a turn-off signal to the controller when a first state continues for a delay time determined depending on the current's magnitude. The first state is a state where the current is smaller than the tolerance value and the current exceeds a first threshold value smaller than the tolerance value. The controller turns off the switch in response to the turn-off signal.

Abstract: A regulator circuit supplies an output voltage VOUT to a load. A second transistor is arranged in parallel with a first transistor, and has a relatively small size. A feedback circuit generates a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal according to the output voltage VOUT. A first error amplifier controls the first transistor such that the first feedback signal approaches a first reference value. A second error amplifier controls the second transistor such that the second feedback signal approaches a second reference value. In a light-load state, the operation of the first error amplifier is maintained.

Abstract: A power regulator has an input terminal to receive an input voltage, an output terminal to output an output voltage, a transistor connected to the input and terminals, a feedback terminal to receive a feedback voltage, and a control circuit to control the transistor based on the feedback voltage at the feedback terminal and a reference voltage so as to keep the output voltage constant. Various implementations include an open detection circuit to detect an open state of the feedback terminal and, on detecting the open state, to vary the reference voltage and thereby keep the transistor in an OFF state, or a voltage holding circuit configured to hold the output voltage constant at a second voltage lower than the first voltage when the feedback terminal is in an open state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an enable signal generation circuit. The circuit includes: an enable input terminal that receives an enable input voltage; an enable detection circuit that determines whether the enable input voltage is higher than a first reference voltage, and then outputs an inverted signal; and an output section that is connected to the enable detection circuit. The enable detection circuit is formed of at least two transistors arranged in a differential configuration, gives the two transistors offset voltages that provide different operating voltages, and causes the output section to output a signal based on the inverted signal.

Abstract: A switching control circuit includes a first current source, a second current source, a first switch disposed between the first current source and a gate of a switching element, and a second switch disposed between the second current source and the gate of the switching element. The first switch and the second switch are complementarily turned on and off according to a pulse signal. At least one of a value of current supplied to the gate of the switching element from the first current source when the first switch is turned on, and a value of current that flows out from the gate of the switching element to the second current source when the second switch is turned on, is changed periodically.

Abstract: A linear power source includes: an output transistor connected between an input terminal of an input voltage and an output terminal of an output voltage; a driver configured to drive the output transistor so that the output voltage or a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage matches a predetermined reference voltage; and a depletion type NMOSFET configured to generate a drain current that decreases as the output voltage rises, and to add the drain current to a current to be boosted at startup.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an enable signal generation circuit. The circuit includes: an enable input terminal that receives an enable input voltage; an enable detection circuit that determines whether the enable input voltage is higher than a first reference voltage, and then outputs an inverted signal; and an output section that is connected to the enable detection circuit. The enable detection circuit is formed of at least two transistors arranged in a differential configuration, gives the two transistors offset voltages that provide different operating voltages, and causes the output section to output a signal based on the inverted signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a heat source and a heat detection element which are formed on a semiconductor substrate; and a heat conductive member formed across both of the heat source and the heat detection element, a thermal conductivity of the heat conductive member being higher than a thermal conductivity of the semiconductor substrate, and wherein the heat source, the heat detection element and the heat conductive member are integrated on the semiconductor substrate.