Abstract: Circuits and methods for supplying a temporary power supply at a predetermined voltage are disclosed. A circuit includes first DC/DC voltage that receives an input from a power supply at a first voltage level and generates an output at a second voltage level, higher than the first voltage level. The output is provided to charge a capacitor. A second DC/DC voltage converter has an input connected to the capacitor for drawing power from the capacitor at the second voltage level and an generates an output voltage less than the second voltage level. The second DC/DC voltage converter further includes a feedback input that monitors the circuit's output voltage and activates the second DC/DC voltage converter when the output voltage falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A power supply in which power conversion efficiency is enhanced in all operation modes by supplying power to a load (60) from any one or both of first power supply circuit (20) and second power supply circuit (40), detecting the operation mode of the load (60) through an operation mode detecting means (65), and controlling switches (11,12) depending on the operation mode of the load (60) to select a power supply circuit for supplying power to the load (60).

Abstract: For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the first operational current, a first power source regulator for stepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current of the internal circuit and a second power source gulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are combined in order to, under the control of a power supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode in the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the electric power to be supplied from a direct-current source to a load, particularly to a fan or heater in a motor vehicle. The circuit has a first field-effect transistor, to be connected in series with the load to be controlled, and a control circuit for controlling the field-effect transistor. The first field effect transistor has a second field-effect transistor connected in series therewith, and a resistor is connected in parallel with one of the field-effect transistors. The control circuit is adapted to control the two field-effect transistors in the sense of a fadeover between two final states in each of which one of the field-effect transistors is off and the other is on.

Abstract: For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the first operational current, a first power source regulator for stepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current of the internal circuit and a second power source gulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are combined in order to, under the control of a power supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode in the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a supply voltage includes a first regulator for generating a first supply voltage, a second regulator for generating a second supply voltage, and a feedback circuit to control the second regulator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor chip includes voltage regulators for stepping down an externally-supplied power voltage to produce an internal power voltage, and internal circuits which operate based on the internal power voltage. The voltage regulators are laid in the area of the buffers and protective elements for the input/output signals and power voltages so that the overhead area due to the on-chip provision of the voltage regulators is minimized. The internal power voltage is distributed to the internal circuits through a looped main power line, with an electrode pad for connecting an external capacitor for stabilizing the internal power voltage being provided on it, so that the internal power voltage is stabilized and the power consumption of the integrated circuit is minimized.

Abstract: Multiple phase switching regulators with stage shedding are provided. Multiple phase switching regulators of the present invention have a plurality of single phase switching regulators coupled in parallel to an output capacitor. The plurality of single phase switching regulators supply current to a load at a regulated voltage. A comparator monitors the load current and causes one or more of the single phase switching regulators to be OFF at a low load current threshold. At least one of the single phase switching regulators that remains ON increases its output current so that the multiple phase switching regulator output current continues to match the load current. The present invention may include a second comparator that causes additional single phase switching regulators to be OFF at a second low load current threshold that is lower than the first low load current threshold.

Abstract: A quick-starting low-voltage DC power supply circuit has a switch mode DC to DC converter connected to a DC supply source. A low-dropout-regulator (LDO) connected in parallel with the switch-mode DC to DC converter, and a diode is connected in series with the output of the low-dropout-regulator connecting the output of the low-dropout-regulator to the output of the switch-mode DC to DC converter. The arrangement is such that the start-up output voltage of the circuit is the output voltage of the low-dropout-regulator and the long-term output voltage of the circuit is supplied by the switch-mode DC to DC converter output.

Abstract: The low-frequency, low power switching voltage switching pre-regulator is operable to propagate The pre-regulator is comprised of a chopping circuit, a pre-driver switching circuit and a feed back circuit. The output of the chopping circuit defines the output of the voltage pre-regulator and an input voltage is received at the input of the chopping circuit. The feedback circuit senses the magnitude of the voltage at the chopping circuit and derives a feedback signal in response thereto. The PWM interface circuit receives the feedback signals and a PWM signal of the type generally derived from a microprocessor. The PWM interface circuit switches the chopping circuit in response to the feedback and the PWM signals.

Abstract: For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the first operational current, a first power source regulator for stepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current of the internal circuit and a second power source gulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are combined in order to, under the control of a power supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode in the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode.

Abstract: For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second operational current, which is smaller than the first operational current, a first power source regulator for stepping down a predefined output power supply voltage from an input power supply voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current of the internal circuit and a second power source gulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are combined in order to, under the control of a power supply control unit, operate the first step-down type regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode in the internal circuit and to operate the second step-down type regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode.

Abstract: A capacitorless DC-DC converter provides a controlled output voltage to a load, and includes a relatively wide bandwidth linear regulator placed in parallel with a switching regulator. Output signals from the linear regulator and switching regulator are added to form a combined output signal provided to the load. The switching regulator provides steady state current to the load, while the linear regulator provides higher-frequency transient current as needed. Because the linear regulator's transient response compensates for the limited transient response of the switching regulator, the substantial low-ESR output capacitance that is customarily required by conventional switching regulators is not needed. Further, feedback to the linear regulator taken from the combined output signal causes it to generate anti-phase ripple compensation, thereby reducing the magnitude of switching ripple in the converter's combined output signal.

Abstract: A quick-starting low-voltage DC power supply circuit has a switch mode DC to DC converter connected to a DC supply source. A low-dropout-regulator (LDO) connected in parallel with the switch-mode DC to DC converter, and a diode is connected in series with the output of the low-dropout-regulator connecting the output of the low-dropout-regulator to the output of the switch-mode DC to DC converter. The arrangement is such that the start-up output voltage of the circuit is the output voltage of the low-dropout-regulator and the long-term output voltage of the circuit is supplied by the switch-mode DC to DC converter output.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for optimizing the efficiency of a switching converter for converting a first voltage to a second voltage. The apparatus includes a regulator, a DC-to-DC converter and a controller. The controller couples with both the regulator and DC-to-DC converter, and the controller is configured to activate and deactivate the regulator and the DC-to-DC converter depending on an output demand. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to activate the regulator and deactivate the DC-to-DC converter when the output demand transitions from a first demand level to a second demand level. The controller is further configured to activate the DC-to-DC converter and to deactivate the regulator when the output demand transitions from the second demand level to the first demand level. The apparatus is configured to monitor demand, and to activate the DC-to-DC converter when demand is in a first state or activate the regulator when demand is in a second state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multi-cell regulator systems and methods. Power supply delivery and regulation is provided to electronic devices disposed on a PCB board. A voltage regulator cell system is provided for a respective voltage regulation cell region, such that the supply voltage is regulated over the area of the power plane and the ground plane. The voltage regulator cell systems are provided with feedback loops at corresponding voltage regulation cell regions, which are compared with a reference voltage to adjust for difference errors. Various systems and methodologies are provided to obtain a desired reference voltage. Power supply delivery performance is further improved by accurate current sharing between voltage regulator cell systems.

Abstract: A frequency sensing NMOS voltage regulator is disclosed. A NMOS source follower transistor has a gate connected to a predetermined gate voltage, a drain coupled to an external supply voltage through a PMOS switching transistor, and a source connected to a load. The gate of the PMOS transistor is controlled by a delay circuit through which a pulse derived from the system clock is passed. Through the use of the delay circuit and the PMOS transistor, the amount of current produced by the NMOS transistor is made a function of the cycle rate of the system clock and the current provided by the NMOS transistor tracks the frequency-dependent current requirements of the load, resulting in a reduced variance of the supply voltage Vcc over a wide current range.

Abstract: A voltage regulator having a regulator output operating at a predetermined output voltage level is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a switching regulator that has a first regulated output providing a first output voltage level, where the first output voltage level is approximately equal to the predetermined output voltage. The first regulated output is coupled to the regulator output. The voltage regulator includes a linear regulator that has a second regulated output providing a second output voltage level, where the second output voltage level is less than the first output voltage level.

Abstract: The low-frequency, low power switching voltage switching pre-regulator is operable to propagate The pre-regulator is comprised of a chopping circuit, a pre-driver switching circuit and a feed back circuit. The output of the chopping circuit defines the output of the voltage pre-regulator and an input voltage is received at the input of the chopping circuit. The feedback circuit senses the magnitude of the voltage at the chopping circuit and derives a feedback signal in response thereto. The PWM interface circuit receives the feedback signals and a PWM signal of the type generally derived from a microprocessor. The PWM interface circuit switches the chopping circuit in response to the feedback and the PWM signals.

Abstract: A control circuit (50) for a switch mode power converter having precise control of amplitude and frequency that does not exhibit overshoot error nor undershoot error during a fast charge cycle nor a fast discharge cycle, respectively. In a first embodiment, the control circuit (50) does not exhibit undershoot error during a fast discharge cycle. The control circuit (50) comprises an oscillator (70) for providing a periodic carrier signal comprising a sawtooth wave output signal (VST). The oscillator (70) includes a capacitor (CT2) charged and discharged to the power supply voltage (VCC) to provide the sawtooth wave output signal (VST). In addition, the oscillator (70) includes a switching circuit (65) coupled to the reference voltage level (Vref). The control circuit (50) further includes a gain circuit (64) having a reference voltage input (Vref2), voltage input (Vin) and an output (Out). The reference voltage input (Vref2) receives the reference voltage(Vref).

Abstract: A DC/DC converter and a series regulator are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal. At the time of a heavy load, the DC/DC converter is operated. Although the DC/DC converter has a large current consumption of its own, it has a high power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, since a load current increases at the time of a heavy load, it is effective to use the DC/DC converter whose power conversion efficiency is high, and its current consumption can be neglected since the load current is large. On the other hand, at the time of a light load, the series regulator is operated. Although the series regulator has a small current consumption of its own, it has a low power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, at the time of a light load, even when the series regulator is used, its low power conversion efficiency can be neglected because its current consumption is small.

Abstract: An input circuit that detects an abnormality of a voltage generation of the input circuit. The circuit includes an external output terminal, an analog voltage generator. The generator includes a power supply terminal, a grounding terminal, and an internal output terminal. The circuit includes a first resistor, which is connected to the power supply and to the power supply terminal, a second resistor, which is connected to the ground and to the grounding terminal, a third resistor, which is connected to the internal output terminal and to the external output terminal, and a fourth resistor, which is connected to the node of the third resistor and the external output terminal and to the ground. When the grounding terminal or the power supply terminal is open, the analog voltage of the external output terminal is in an upper limit fail voltage range or in a lower limit fail voltage range.

Abstract: A frequency sensing NMOS voltage regulator is disclosed. A NMOS source follower transistor has a gate connected to a predetermined gate voltage, a drain coupled to an external supply voltage through a PMOS switching transistor, and a source connected to a load. The gate of the PMOS transistor is controlled by a delay circuit through which a pulse derived from the system clock is passed. Through the use of the delay circuit and the PMOS transistor, the amount of current produced by the NMOS transistor is made a function of the cycle rate of the system clock and the current provided by the NMOS transistor tracks the frequency-dependent current requirements of the load, resulting in a reduced variance of the supply voltage Vcc over a wide current range.

Abstract: A dimmer control device is disclosed which determines when to switch a voltage level supplied to a light fixture comprised of a plurality of light bulbs by monitoring the phase relation between an input voltage and input current. When the phase relation is within acceptable tolerance limits, external control inputs to lower, i.e., dim, or raise the illumination level are accepted and processed. The dimmer control device further compensates for warmup and startup transistions by directing input voltage through relays that provide full voltage until desired voltage/current phase relation is established within acceptable tolerance levels. And further provides for a full voltage output when a failure or abnormal conditions are determined.

Abstract: A load controller and method are provided for maximizing effective capacity of a non-controllable, renewable power supply coupled to a variable electrical load also coupled to a conventional power grid. Effective capacity is enhanced by monitoring power output of the renewable supply and loading, and comparing the loading against the power output and a load adjustment threshold determined from an expected peak loading. A value for a load adjustment parameter is calculated by subtracting the renewable supply output and the load adjustment parameter from the current load. This value is then employed to control the variable load in an amount proportional to the value of the load control parameter when the parameter is within a predefined range. By so controlling the load, the effective capacity of the non-controllable, renewable power supply is increased without any attempt at operational feedback control of the renewable supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for generating a regulating signal for a direct voltage converter. The device has a voltage regulator and a current regulator at whose output the regulating signal can be tapped. Between the voltage regulator and the current regulator, a limiter is provided, which serves to limit the output signal of the voltage regulator. The limiter has an input connection which can be used to supply it with a predeterminable limit value signal for the current reference value.

Abstract: An H bridge regulating system for driving an electric load includes a linear output stage and switch mode output stage connected to opposite ends of the load. The linear output stage has a linear mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a first output signal tied to one end of the load. This output voltage is passed through a conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the linear mode amplifier. The switch mode output stage has a switch mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a second output signal tied to the other end of the load. Its voltage signal is passed through a second conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the switch mode amplifier. Other feedback circuit elements are also provided to create three distinct regions of operations for each of the amplifiers.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter and a series regulator are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal. At the time of a heavy load, the DC/DC converter is operated. Although the DC/DC converter has a large current consumption of its own, it has a high power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, since a load current increases at the time of a heavy load, it is effective to use the DC/DC converter whose power conversion efficiency is high, and its current consumption can be neglected since the load current is large. On the other hand, at the time of a light load, the series regulator is operated. Although the series regulator has a small current consumption of its own, it has a low power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, at the time of a light load, even when the series regulator is used, its low power conversion efficiency can be neglected because its current consumption is small.

Abstract: The invention regards a method and device for the current feed of a mobile communications device in a device comprising at least one dissipation-type voltage regulator (201), such as a linear regulator, in which the first voltage value of the regulator's input voltage (Vs, 211) is decreased with voltage-decreasing means (202-207, 212) to the second voltage value of the input voltage (Vs) compared to the used voltage (Vbat, 208), which is smaller than the first input voltage, to form the voltage regulator's (201) output voltage (Vout, 209).

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first device and a second device. The first device may be connected to a first supply voltage. The second device may be connected (i) in series with the first device and (ii) to a second supply voltage. The first device is generally biased to provide enhanced noise suppression performance. The second device is generally configured to switch between the first and second supply voltages.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter and a series regulator are connected in parallel between an input terminal and an output terminal. At the time of a heavy load, the DC/DC converter is operated. Although the DC/DC converter has a large current consumption of its own, it has a high power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, since a load current increases at the time of a heavy load, it is effective to use the DC/DC converter whose power conversion efficiency is high, and its current consumption can be neglected since the load current is large. On the other hand, at the time of a light load, the series regulator is operated. Although the series regulator has a small current consumption of its own, it has a low power conversion efficiency. Accordingly, at the time of a light load, even when the series regulator is used, its low power conversion efficiency can be neglected because its current consumption is small.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a switched mode power supply having an input for receiving an input signal voltage, a flyback converter circuit arrangement and an output for delivering a regulated output signal voltage, and including a boost converter arranged to be operatively combined with the said flyback converter, and functioning such that the combined converter operates in a boost mode when the input voltage is above a threshold value, and in a flyback mode when the input voltage is below the threshold value.

Abstract: For an internal circuit having a first operation mode consuming a first operational current and a second operation mode consuming a second and smaller operational current, a first regulator for providing a predefined voltage from an input voltage and having a current supply ability corresponding to the first operational current and a second regulator having a current supply ability corresponding to the second operational current are provided. A power supply control unit operates the first regulator in response to a first control signal instructing the first operation mode and operates the second regulator in response to a second control signal instructing the second operation mode. The internal circuit and power supply control unit are provided in one semiconductor integrated circuit device.

Abstract: An H bridge regulating system for driving an electric load includes a linear output stage and switch mode output stage connected to opposite ends of the load. The linear output stage has a linear mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a first output signal tied to one end of the load. This output voltage is passed through a conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the linear mode amplifier. The switch mode output stage has a switch mode amplifier and a feedback circuit, and its amplifier generates a second output signal tied to the other end of the load. Its voltage signal is passed through a second conditioning resistor to an inverting input of the switch mode amplifier. Other feedback circuit elements are also provided to create three distinct regions of operations for each of the amplifiers.

Abstract: A load drive circuit for an electric load comprises a plurality of switching circuits connected in parallel with each other, a first wiring conductor pattern connecting one sides of the switching circuits to an external power side through a first connecting portion, and a second wiring conductor pattern connecting another sides of the switching circuits to a load side through a second connecting portion. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are disposed in the vicinity of one end and the other end of a parallel arrangement of the switching circuits, respectively. Current paths from the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion through the switching circuits, respectively, have substantially same resistances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrating buck or boost converting includes processing for controlling the configuration of transistors, an inductor, a power source, and a load to provide buck or boost converting. Such processing begins by determining whether a buck/boost signal is indicating buck operation or boost operation. If the buck/boost signal is indicating buck operation, the processing proceeds by generating a buck control signal and a load control signal. The buck control signal is provided to the transistors such that the transistors are coupled to a power source and the inductor to provide a buck converter. The load control signal is provided to a load transistor to regulate the output with respect to the load. When the bucklboost signal indicates boost operation, the processing generates a boost control signal and a load control signal. The boost control signal is provided to the transistors such that the transistors are coupled to the power source and the inductor to provide a boost converter.

Abstract: An inductive load is managed to reduce unnecessary induced electromagnetic radiation as caused by unwanted voltage and/or current fluctuations. The management is accomplished through combined current and voltage slew rate limiting of a transistor driving the inductive load. This management may be effected through a combination of analog and digital circuitry.

Abstract: These sources are so designed that the amount of power required at turn-on of the DC voltage source is greater than during normal operation, taht the power supply for the evaluation electronics is independent of the measured value, and that the so-called HART protocol can be trans-mitted over the two wires. A first variant of the sources has a first current path, which goes from terminal (P1) via diode (D), the emitter-collector path of transistor (T1), grounded voltage regulator (SR), and grounded current-sensing resistor (Rm) to terminal (P2) of the DC voltage source, and a second current path, which goes from terminal (P1) via diode (D), the emitter-base path of transistor (T1), resistor (R1), the collector-emitter path of transistor (T2), resistor (R2), and resistor (Rm) to terminal (P2). Feedback resistor (Rr) connects terminal (P2) to one of the inputs of operational amplifier (OP) fed by a control signal and the output of which being connected to the base of transistor (T2).

Abstract: A voltage regulator for determining whether a primary power source is present in a dual power coaxial cable network. The present invention consists of a primary power source for producing a first voltage and a secondary power source for producing second voltage. A common input combines the first voltage with the second voltage. A voltage regulator produces an output voltage in either linear mode or pulsating mode based on the magnitude of the combined first and second voltages received from the common input.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a static regulator that provides a static regulated supply output as a reference input to a dynamic regulator to provide a regulated supply voltage. In one embodiment, multiple dynamic regulators are connected to the static regulated supply output of the static regulator. The one or more dynamic regulators dynamically detect when the regulated supply voltage is loaded below a predetermined reference level, and provide extra current in response to prevent the regulated supply voltage from drooping. Since the static regulator is capable of handling large average currents, the dynamic regulator circuit can be smaller than a typical dynamic regulator for an equivalent load. Furthermore, since the dynamic regulator provides transient current requirements, the size of the static regulator may be likewise smaller in size than a typical static regulator for an equivalent load.

Abstract: A frequency sensing NMOS voltage regulator is disclosed. A NMOS source follower transistor has a gate connected to a predetermined gate voltage, a drain coupled to an external supply voltage through a PMOS switching transistor, and a source connected to a load. The gate of the PMOS transistor is controlled by a delay circuit through which a pulse derived from the system clock is passed. Through the use of the delay circuit and the PMOS transistor, the amount of current produced by the NMOS transistor is made a function of the cycle rate of the system clock and the current provided by the NMOS transistor tracks the frequency-dependent current requirements of the load, resulting in a reduced variance of the supply voltage Vcc over a wide current range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a DC power supply, adaptable for use with a motion sensor switch, by limiting the leakage to ground current of the power supply to comply with U.L. Standards while also enabling the DC power supply to provide a stable DC output voltage which is essentially unaffected by changes in magnitude of the AC supply voltage or changes in ambient temperature. The method and apparatus employs first and second transistors, in which the base and collector of the first transistor and the base and collector of the second transistor are coupled to receive a voltage based on the AC supply voltage, and the emitter of both the first and second transistors are coupled to drive an output circuit of the DC power supply. The emitter of the second transistor is also coupled via a first resistor to the base of the first transistor, and the collector of the second transistor is also coupled via a second resistor to the base of the first transistor.

Abstract: A frequency sensing NMOS voltage regulator is disclosed. A NMOS source follower transistor has a gate connected to a predetermined gate voltage, a drain coupled to an external supply voltage through a PMOS switching transistor, and a source connected to a load. The gate of the PMOS transistor is controlled by a delay circuit through which a pulse derived from the system clock is passed. Through the use of the delay circuit and the PMOS transistor, the amount of current produced by the NMOS transistor is made a function of the cycle rate of the system clock and the current provided by the NMOS transistor tracks the frequency-dependent current requirements of the load, resulting in a reduced variance of the supply voltage Vcc over a wide current range.

Abstract: These sources are so designed that the amount of power required at turn-on of the DC voltage source is greater than during normal operation, taht the power supply for the evaluation electronics is independent of the measured value, and that the so-called HART protocol can be trans-mitted over the two wires. A first variant of the sources has a first current path, which goes from terminal (P1) via diode (D), the emitter-collector path of transistor (T1), grounded voltage regulator (SR), and grounded current-sensing resistor (Rm) to terminal (P2) of the DC voltage source, and a second current path, which goes from terminal (P1) via diode (D), the emitter-base path of transistor (T1), resistor (R1), the collector-emitter path of transistor (T2), resistor (R2), and resistor (Rm) to terminal (P2). Feedback resistor (Rr) connects terminal (P2) to one of the inputs of operational amplifier (OP) fed by a control signal and the output of which being connected to the base of transistor (T2).

Abstract: Load power control circuits for single HID luminaires include both retrofit circuitry and “new manufacture” circuitry for connection to both controlled-voltage and controlled-current ballast circuits. A suitable such control circuit may be substituted for the capacitor in the capacitor-control type of ballast circuit. Control is effected by a microcontroller that controls selective switching by associated triacs of one or more capacitors connected in parallel across the ballast circuit. The reactor-control type of control circuit is interposed between the line supply and the ballast circuit, and may include parallel-connected pairs of opposed (reverse-coupled) silicon controlled rectifiers operating under the control of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit provides an output reference voltage that is generally insensitive to fluctuations in supply voltage, ambient temperature, and output load current. A current regulator establishes an output whose variations are reduced, preferably logarithmically, relative to variations in a supply voltage. A bandgap generator fed by the output current provides an output reference voltage with similarly suppressed variations. A control amplifier biases the bandgap generator to provide a high level common-mode rejection of various error sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the signal termination voltage planes of a system, the signal termination voltage planes having a voltage which is between, or intermediate to, the system's upper and lower power supply voltage planes, and for recovering signal termination energy, which is normally dissipated or otherwise wasted, and for transferring the recovered energy to the system's upper power supply voltage plane, or power bus, for reuse.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is provided for limiting overcurrents when used with a plurality of loads, particularly in flash memories, which are connected between an output node of the regulator and a voltage reference by way of a plurality of switches. The voltage regulator includes at least one differential stage that has a non-inverting input terminal for a control voltage, and an inverting input terminal connected to the voltage reference and the output node of the regulator through a feedback network. There is an output terminal connected to the output node of the voltage regulator to produce an output reference voltage from a comparison of input voltages. In the voltage regulator is a main control transistor connected between a high-voltage reference and the output terminal of the regulator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transitioning a power converter between a switched mode of operation and a linear regulator mode of operation. The power converter operates according to one or more intermediate modes of operation in which the switched mode and linear regulator modes cooperate to produce a shared power converter output. The power converter transitions between the various modes of operation in response to changes in circuit parametric conditions as defined by a series of state transition diagrams. Power converter output voltage is maintained in regulation during all modes of operation and transitions therebetween. The method and apparatus includes an integrated device that may be operated as a switch or a variable resistance device.

Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit has a clamp up circuit and a clamp down circuit operating in tandem. The clamp down circuit receives the unregulated voltage and an activation signal and in response thereto generates a first output signal at an output node in the event the unregulated voltage exceeds the first output signal. The clamp up circuit receives the unregulated voltage and an inverse of the activation signal and in response thereto generates a second output voltage at an output node in the event the unregulated voltage is below the second output voltage. The output node of the clamp down circuit is connected to the output node of the clamp up circuit. Thus, the output voltage is regulated to be between the first output voltage and the second output voltage.