Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing a compensated voltage reference. The method includes operating a voltage reference circuit. The method also includes activating a first compensation circuit when an operating temperature is less than or equal to a first temperature threshold. The first compensation circuit is configured to extract a first compensation current from the voltage reference circuit. The method further includes deactivating the first compensation circuit when the operating temperature is greater than the first temperature threshold. The method also includes activating a second compensation circuit when the operating temperature is greater than or equal to a second temperature threshold. The second compensation circuit is configured to extract a second compensation current from voltage reference circuit. The second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for producing a compensated voltage reference. The method includes operating a voltage reference circuit. The method also includes activating a first compensation circuit when an operating temperature is less than or equal to a first temperature threshold. The first compensation circuit is configured to extract a first compensation current from the voltage reference circuit. The method further includes deactivating the first compensation circuit when the operating temperature is greater than the first temperature threshold. The method also includes activating a second compensation circuit when the operating temperature is greater than or equal to a second temperature threshold. The second compensation circuit is configured to extract a second compensation current from voltage reference circuit. The second temperature threshold is greater than the first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator that in one configuration provides a drive signal to regulate an output voltage in response thereto includes an error amplifier, an intermediate amplifier, a buffer amplifier, and a compensation network. The error amplifier has a first input for receiving a reference voltage, a second input for receiving a feedback signal representative of the output voltage, a first output, and a second output. The intermediate amplifier has a first input coupled to the first output of said error amplifier, a second input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier, and an output. The buffer amplifier has a first input coupled to the output of the intermediate amplifier, and an output for providing the drive signal. The compensation network has a first terminal coupled to the first input of the intermediate amplifier, and a second terminal coupled to the output of the intermediate amplifier.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator that in one configuration provides a drive signal to regulate an output voltage in response thereto includes an error amplifier, an intermediate amplifier, a buffer amplifier, and a compensation network. The error amplifier has a first input for receiving a reference voltage, a second input for receiving a feedback signal representative of the output voltage, a first output, and a second output. The intermediate amplifier has a first input coupled to the first output of said error amplifier, a second input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier, and an output. The buffer amplifier has a first input coupled to the output of the intermediate amplifier, and an output for providing the drive signal. The compensation network has a first terminal coupled to the first input of the intermediate amplifier, and a second terminal coupled to the output of the intermediate amplifier.

Abstract: A current limit circuit and a method for limiting current flow. The current limit circuit includes a transistor having a control electrode and current carrying electrodes. A wire is coupled to one of the current carrying electrodes. An output of a comparator is coupled to the control electrode of the transistor through a charge pump. One input of the comparator is coupled to the current carrying electrode of the transistor that is coupled to the wire and the other input of the comparator is coupled for receiving a voltage. Preferably the wire is a bond wire. The current flowing through the wire sets the input voltage appearing at the input of the comparator coupled to the current carrying electrode of the transistor. In response to the comparison of the voltages at the input of the comparator, the transistor remains turned-on or it is turned-off.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an over-voltage protection circuit is configured to have two control circuits that respond at different values of the input voltage.

Abstract: A bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit and a method for blocking current flow therein. The bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit comprises a regulator coupled to a lockout circuit, wherein the regulator and the lockout circuit are coupled for receiving an input signal and are coupled to a charging control circuit. A reverse path control circuit has an input coupled for receiving a control signal and an output coupled to the charging control circuit. A multi-transistor switching circuit is coupled to the forward control circuit. Preferably, the gate of each n-channel MOSFET is coupled to the charging control circuit, the drains are coupled together, and the source of one of the n-channel MOSFETS is coupled to an input and the source of the other n-channel MOSFET is coupled to an output of the bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit.

Abstract: A bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit and a method for blocking current flow therein. The bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit comprises a regulator coupled to a lockout circuit, wherein the regulator and the lockout circuit are coupled for receiving an input signal and are coupled to a charging control circuit. A reverse path control circuit has an input coupled for receiving a control signal and an output coupled to the charging control circuit. A multi-transistor switching circuit is coupled to the forward control circuit. Preferably, the gate of each n-channel MOSFET is coupled to the charging control circuit, the drains are coupled together, and the source of one of the n-channel MOSFETS is coupled to an input and the source of the other n-channel MOSFET is coupled to an output of the bi-directional over-voltage protection circuit.

Abstract: A current limit circuit and a method for limiting current flow. The current limit circuit includes a transistor having a control electrode and current carrying electrodes. A wire is coupled to one of the current carrying electrodes. An output of a comparator is coupled to the control electrode of the transistor through a charge pump. One input of the comparator is coupled to the current carrying electrode of the transistor that is coupled to the wire and the other input of the comparator is coupled for receiving a voltage. Preferably the wire is a bond wire. The current flowing through the wire sets the input voltage appearing at the input of the comparator coupled to the current carrying electrode of the transistor. In response to the comparison of the voltages at the input of the comparator, the transistor remains turned-on or it is turned-off.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to operate in a test mode that facilitates measuring the value of an output signal of an error amplifier of the power supply controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to operate in a test mode that facilitates measuring the value of an output signal of an error amplifier of the power supply controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a protection circuit includes a linear regulator remains enabled during a portion of a time while limiting an output voltage of the linear regulator to a first value.

Abstract: A power supply controller (20) is configured to operate in a test mode that facilitates measuring the value of an output signal of an error amplifier (36) of the power supply controller (20).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a protection circuit includes a linear regulator remains enabled during a portion of a time while limiting an output voltage of the linear regulator to a first value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an over-voltage protection circuit is configured to have two control circuits that respond at different values of the input voltage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage reference circuit is configured to use two differentially coupled transistors to form a delta Vbe for the voltage reference circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage protection circuit uses two back-to-back transistors to receive an unprotected voltage and form a protected voltage.