Abstract: A voltage regulator may include an output stage controlled by a control voltage determined as a function of the difference between a reference voltage and a signal representing an output voltage of the regulator generating the output voltage on an output node of the regulator. An auxiliary stage may be connected in parallel to the output stage and cooperate therewith in supplying a load connected to the regulator. A sensing resistance may be connected in series with the output stage, and an voltage drop amplifier may be connected to the sensing resistance to generate a second control voltage of the auxiliary stage.

Abstract: Described herein is a reading circuit for a nonvolatile memory device, wherein the currents flowing through an array memory cell to be read, and a reference memory cell with known contents, are converted into an array voltage and, respectively, into a reference voltage, which are compared to determine the contents of the array memory cell. The method envisages reducing the electrical stress to which the reference memory cell is subjected during reading, by generating and holding a sample of the reference voltage, then deselecting the reference memory cell, and then continuing reading using the sample of the reference voltage.