Abstract: A voltage regulation circuit. The voltage regulator includes an input stage, a reference voltage circuit, a gain stage, and an output stage. The reference voltage circuit is coupled to one input of the input stage, and the output stage is coupled to another input of the input stage. The gain stage includes a buffer device coupled to the output of the input stage and a drive circuit coupled to the output stage. The buffer device is operable to provide isolation between the input stage and the drive circuit. The drive circuit may include a first transistor coupled to the output stage, a base current translation circuit, and a current divide circuit coupled to the first transistor and to said base current translation circuit. The input stage may be biased with a substantially constant bias current, such that output dependent current loading effects are avoided.

Abstract: A thermal shutdown circuit board integrated circuit device. The thermal shutdown circuit includes a current source for receiving a current bias and generating an output current in accordance therewith. The current source is configured to produce the output current in a manner proportional to absolute temperature. A current mirror is coupled to the current source. The current mirror is configured to mirror the output current from the current source and is configured to have a high output impedance. A thermal shutdown transistor is coupled to control one output of the current mirror. The thermal shutdown transistor is also coupled to receive the output current and shutdown the output current at a temperature threshold in a manner dependent on shutdown circuit operating temperature.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator. The regulator comprises a bandgap reference circuit and first and second transistors coupled in parallel. The parallel transistors form the input of an operational amplifier, coupled to and providing substantially no load to the bandgap reference circuit. The bandgap reference circuit is coupled to the output of the integrated circuit low dropout voltage regulator. As a beneficial result, the bandgap reference works from a regulated output and has substantially no load. Consequently, the voltage output of the present invention is highly stable.

Abstract: A low current open loop voltage regulator monitor. A circuit is formed with a PTAT current source across a resistor. This current is mirrored by a circuit with two outputs. A first output is formed by a high output impedance current source that has a cascode output. A second output is formed by a higher voltage output current source that has a lower output impedance. The second output feeds an emitter of a PNP device that has its base coupled to the output of the first current source. The output of the first current source and the base of the PNP device are biased above ground by a series of diode and resistor drops that are of the same type comprising the PTAT circuit. This series of devices forms a stack of bandgap voltages that is nominally equal to, but independent of, the regulator output voltage.