Linearly Acting Patents (Class 323/273)
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Patent number: 7564230Abstract: A voltage regulator for providing a regulated voltage is disclosed. The voltage regulator comprises an error amplifying module and a regulator. The error amplifying module provides a reference voltage, based on an output voltage to be regulated. The regulator provides a regulated output voltage based on the reference voltage. Voltage regulator provides stable output voltage against variations caused by power supply and load with a defined temperature coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Anadigics, Inc.Inventor: Henry Liwinski
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Patent number: 7564277Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a motor. The control circuit includes a control module, a current transformation module and a comparison module. The control module generates a control current and a comparison voltage according to a first current, a first voltage and an input voltage. The current transformation module, coupled to the control module, generates a first output voltage from a first output terminal and a second output voltage from a second output terminal. The comparison module, coupled to the control module and the current transformation module, compares a threshold voltage, the first output voltage, the second output voltage, and the comparison voltage and generates a plurality of control signals to control the motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2007Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Princeton Technology CorporationInventor: Peng-Feng Kao
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Publication number: 20090174378Abstract: An active linear regulator circuit in parallel with a filter capacitor of a switching voltage regulator injects current to a load only when the switching regulator and capacitor cannot supply adequate current to follow high frequency load transients in a manner which is compatible with adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) requirements. control of current injection and determination of the insufficiency of current from the switching regulator and capacitors is achieved by impedance matching of the linear regulator to the switching regulator. The linear regulator thus operates at relatively low current and duty cycle to limit power dissipation therein. By matching impedances and increasing the bandwidth of the switching regulator, filter capacitor requirements can be reduced to the point of being met entirely by packaging and/or on-die capacitors which may be placed close to or at the point of load to reduce parasitic inductance, as can the linear regulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Ming Xu, Yuancheng Ren, Fred C. Lee, Andrew P. Schmit
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Patent number: 7557556Abstract: Provided is a voltage control circuit which suppresses a calorific value that generates when short-circuit fault occurs even if a voltage value of an input voltage is large. At the time of short-circuit fault, an additional control voltage Va whose voltage value becomes larger when the voltage value of the input voltage Vin is larger is input to the voltage control p-channel MOS transistor (110) from a transistor control MOS transistor (160), to thereby increase resistance of the voltage control p-channel MOS transistor (110) to suppress a short-circuit current. As a result, when the input voltage Vin is larger, the current value of a holding current or a calorific value after the short-circuit protecting operation has been conducted can be suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Takao Nakashimo
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Patent number: 7554304Abstract: Voltage regulator for providing an output voltage (Vout) to a load (Zload) having an output transistor (T1), an operational amplifier (OA), and a first reference voltage source (VS). The negative input of the operational amplifier (OA) is connected to a feedback line (FL) to receive an input voltage derived from the output voltage. The first reference voltage source (VS) provides a reference voltage (Vref) to the positive input (IN2) of the operational amplifier (OA). The output (O1) of the operational amplifier (OA) is connected to a floating voltage source (FVS; C1). The other side of the floating voltage source is connected to a gate terminal (G) of the output transistor (T1). The floating voltage source (FVS) provides a voltage level (Vg) at the gate terminal of the output transistor (T1) higher than the output voltage of the operational amplifier (OA).Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Sitel Semiconductor B.V.Inventors: Marinus Wilhelmus Kruiskamp, Corneles René Beumer
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Patent number: 7554305Abstract: Even when, for example, electric charge is injected into the output transistor due to external factor such as a noise from the outside, to prevent the step-down voltage from rising, the step-down circuit is comprised of an N channel type output transistor which controls the voltage at the control end, a booster, which is connected to the control end of the output transistor and raises the voltage at the control end and a discharge circuit, which discharges the electric charge at the control end of the output transistor so that the power supply voltage inputted from the input end is stepped down to a desired step-down voltage and outputted from the output end.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu Microelectronics LimitedInventors: Hideo Nunokawa, Tatsuo Kato, Miki Suzuki, Tomonari Morishita
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Patent number: 7554306Abstract: An integrated circuit assembly includes a voltage level generator, a level shifter, a bandgap reference generator and a voltage regulator. The voltage level generator generates output voltage level signals in response to a supply voltage. The level shifter receives the output voltage level signals from the voltage level generator and generates first and second sets of control signals. The bandgap reference generator receives a reference voltage input and generates a bandgap reference signal. The voltage regulator receives a supply voltage, the bandgap reference signal the first and second sets of control signals from the level shifter and generates a constant output voltage under varying circuit conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2007Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Chang-Hyeon Lee, Joshua Cho, Pete Good
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Publication number: 20090153107Abstract: A method and system for regulating electrical power from a non-perpetual power source. In one implementation, the method includes receiving a variable power output from the non-perpetual power source, wherein a power amplitude of the variable power output substantially varies over time; and generating a regulated current output or a regulated voltage output based in part on the variable power output received from the non-perpetual power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventor: Marcellus Chen
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Patent number: 7548051Abstract: A low drop out voltage regulator, comprising first and second field effect transistors arranged in series between a regulator input and a regulator output; a third field effect transistor co-operating with the first field effect transistor to form a first current mirror; a fourth field effect transistor co-operating with the second field effect transistor to form a second current mirror; first and second control transistors, which advantageously are bipolar transistors connected in series with the third and fourth field effect transistors respectively so as to control the current flowing therein; and a controller for providing a control signal to the first and second bipolar transistor as a function of a voltage at the regulator output.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: MediaTek Inc.Inventors: Bernard Mark Tenbroek, Christopher Geraint Jones
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Patent number: 7545126Abstract: A method capable of sensing a heavy load and a short circuit of a low dropout regulator includes providing a ramp pulse signal to the low dropout regulator, providing a square waveform, comparing a feedback signal of the low dropout regulator with the square waveform, and determining the low dropout regulator is a heavy load or a short circuit if a duration that the feedback signal is greater than a low voltage level of the square waveform and lower than a high voltage level of the square waveform is not greater than a pulse width of the square waveform. The method includes determining the low dropout regulator is a light load if the duration that the feedback signal is greater than the low voltage level of the square waveform and lower than the high voltage level of the square waveform is greater than the pulse width of the square waveform.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Anpec Electronics CorporationInventors: Chih-Heng Su, Hung-Chun Yeh
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Publication number: 20090128104Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) includes a bias voltage generator, a differential error amplifier, an output driver, a controlled active load, a Double Ended Cascode Miller compensation block. The bias voltage generator produces a plurality of bias voltages. The differential error amplifier produces a differential output voltage based on the difference between a reference voltage and a function of the output voltage. The input terminal of the output driver is coupled to one output of the differential error amplifier. The substrate terminal of the output driver is capacitively coupled to the output node and resistively coupled to the input supply node. The controlled active load is coupled to the output of the output driver, and its control terminal is coupled to a function of the second output of the differential error amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS PVT. LTD.Inventor: Sajal Kumar MANDAL
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Publication number: 20090121693Abstract: A voltage change detecting circuit part amplifies an output signal of a differential amplifying circuit so that a slew rate thereof may be larger than that of a control signal output from a first error amplifying circuit to an output transistor, responding to change of an output voltage output from an output terminal quicker than a control signal output from the first error amplifying circuit to a first transistor, and causing a discharging circuit part to carry out discharging operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventor: Ippei Noda
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Patent number: 7531994Abstract: Constant voltage regulator includes an output terminal, an output transistor, an output voltage controller, and a switching circuit. The output terminal outputs a first voltage to an external host apparatus. The output transistor outputs a current in accordance with a signal. The output voltage controller amplifies a difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage produced in proportion to the first voltage, and outputs the amplified voltage to the control gate of the output transistor. The switching circuit selectively outputs one of a second voltage greater than the first voltage and a third voltage greater than the second voltage to a substrate gate of the output transistor in response to an operation mode switchable between a first mode in which an output current to the external host apparatus is smaller than a predetermined value and a second mode in which the output current is greater than the predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kohzoh Itoh
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Publication number: 20090115383Abstract: A system for controlling mode crossover time in a power supply includes a power output element having a constant voltage control loop and a constant current control loop, the constant voltage control loop having a first error amplifier and the constant current control loop having a second error amplifier. An additional error amplifier is operatively coupled to a compensation capacitance associated with the second error amplifier, the additional error amplifier configured to cause the constant current control loop to provide an additional current to flow from the constant current control loop, thus causing the power output element to transition from a constant voltage mode to a constant current mode responsive to a programmed voltage value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2007Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventor: Michael J. Benes
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Publication number: 20090115382Abstract: According to one aspect of the embodiment, a linear regulator circuit includes an output transistor outputting an output current based on a input voltage, an error amplifier outputting a control signal based on an electric potential difference between an output voltage based on the output current and a reference voltage, a buffer circuit coupled between the error amplifier and the output transistor, and a drive capability adjustment circuit adjusting a load drive capability of the buffer circuit in synchronization with the output current.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: May 7, 2009Applicant: FUJITSU MICROELECTRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Morihito HASEGAWA, Hidenobu Ito, Kwok Fai Hui, Yat Fong Yung
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Patent number: 7521907Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Enpirion, Inc.Inventors: Pedro Alou Cervera, Jose Antonio Cobos MĂ¡rquez, Ashraf W. Lotfi, AndrĂ©s Soto del Pecho
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Patent number: 7521910Abstract: A method and device for measuring a switched current (IH) comprises: sensing the switched current (IH) with an AC current transformer to obtain an intermediate measuring signal (VHM); receiving a timing signal indicating on and off periods of the switched current (IH); during an off period, generating an auxiliary signal such that the sum of the intermediate measuring signal and the auxiliary signal is equal to zero; and during an on period, adding the intermediate measuring signal and said the auxiliary signal and providing the sum signal as the output measuring signal, the output measuring signal reflecting an actual value of the AC part and the DC part of the switched current (IH).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Roelf Van Der Wal, Antonius Jacobus Johannes Werner
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Patent number: 7521912Abstract: In a power supply apparatus for performing constant current driving of a light emitting diode which is a load circuit, a constant current circuit is disposed on a path for driving the load circuit. A charge pump circuit which is a voltage generating circuit outputs a driving voltage to the light emitting diode. A monitoring circuit monitors the voltage across the two ends of the constant current circuit. This monitoring circuit includes a voltage source which generates a threshold voltage that follows the fluctuation of the voltage at which the constant current circuit can operate stably, compares the voltage across the two ends of the constant current circuit and the threshold voltage generated by the voltage source, and outputs a comparison result Vs to a control unit. The control unit controls the charge pump circuit on the basis of the output of the monitoring circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isao Yamamoto, Tomoyuki Ito
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Publication number: 20090096422Abstract: A charging regulator arrangement (30) and a method for charging a battery (13) are specified. Current elements (11, 12) are produced by a DC/DC converter (14) and a series regulator (24). A control unit (15) controls the DC/DC converter (14) and the series regulator (24) as a function of the actual charging current (I) of the battery. The power losses can be reduced when the chip area is reduced, and this makes it possible to lengthen the life of the battery (13) to be charged. The disclosed technique is suitable, for example, for use in mobile radios.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2005Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventor: Peter Trattler
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Publication number: 20090096434Abstract: In an NMOSFET-base linear charger, a pair of common gate charging NMOSFET and sensing NMOSFET have their sources coupled together or virtually shorted to each other, so that these two NMOSFETs have a same gate-source voltage and thereby the sensing NMOSFET reflects the drain-source current of the charging NMOSFET on its drain-source current. From the drain-source current of the sensing NMOSFET, a current sensing signal is generated to control the gate voltage of the charging NMOSFET. By implementing the current source with NMOSFETs, the linear charger has smaller die area and less power loss.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Nien-Hui Kung, Kwan-Jen Chu
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Publication number: 20090091306Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device (IC1) comprises a semiconductor chip (CHIP1), a first frame lead (FR1), and a second frame lead (FR2). The semiconductor chip (CHIP1) includes common-base transistors (P1, P2), pads (T11, T12) connected to the respective emitters of the common-base transistors (P1, P2), pads (T21, T22) connected to the respective collectors of the common-base transistors (P1, P2), and a means (DRV, ERR, E1) for generating a base signal. The pads (T11, T12) are connected through the respective bonding wires (W11, W12) to the first frame lead (FR1). The pads (T21, T22) are connected through the respective bonding wires (W21, W22) to the second frame lead (FR2). This structure can easily detect breaking of the bonding wires connected in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2006Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Hojo, Hirotaka Nakabayashi
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Publication number: 20090091307Abstract: A power supply circuit and a method for adjusting an output voltage therein are provided. The power supply circuit includes a regulator having an input terminal receiving an input voltage, an output terminal outputting an output voltage and a regulating terminal, a voltage divider coupled between the output terminal and a ground, generating a dividing voltage, and a gain circuit coupled between the regulating terminal and the voltage divider, receiving the dividing voltage and generating a gain for adjusting the output voltage according to a reference voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: HOLTEK SEMICONDUCTOR INC.Inventor: Chien-Feng LAI
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Publication number: 20090091305Abstract: A regulator comprising a linear regulator. The linear regulator may comprise a preamplifier, a first radio frequency (RF) transistor and a second radio frequency (RF) transistor. An output of the preamplifier stage may be provided to a biasing terminal of the first RF transistor and a biasing terminal of the second RF transistor. Also, the first and second RF transistors may be electrically connected in series between a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Publication number: 20090085537Abstract: A first booster circuit and a second booster circuit include input capacitors, reactors, diodes, switch elements, and output capacitors, and are arranged to be symmetric to each other on a positive side and a negative side. The reactors are magnetically coupled to each other. With such configuration, the switch elements are on/off controlled simultaneously based on terminal voltages of the input capacitors and the output capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2006Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hirokazu Nakabayashi, Kenji Fujiwara, Hiroshi Ito, Naoki Nishio
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Publication number: 20090085538Abstract: In the power supply apparatus which performs voltage conversion of an input voltage (Vbat), with a predetermined set voltage as a target value, and outputs the converted voltage, a boost ratio setting unit sets a boost ratio (XCP) of the charge pump circuit based on the input voltage (Vbat) and a predetermined set voltage. A voltage adjustment unit is a regulator circuit, and adjusts voltage (Vx) so that output voltage (Vout) of the charge pump circuit approaches the set voltage. An output voltage setting unit generates a predetermined set voltage as a digital value (Dset). An A/D converter performs analog-digital conversion of the input voltage (Vbat). The boost ratio setting unit sets the boost ratio based on a result of comparing an input voltage (Ddet) that has undergone analog-digital conversion, and the set voltage (Dset).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2006Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Mitsuaki Miguchi, Taisuke Chida, Go Ezaki
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Patent number: 7508176Abstract: A controller for a DC to DC converter. The controller may comprise linear mode circuitry and switch mode control circuitry. The linear mode control circuitry may be capable of providing a first control signal to a controlled device of the DC to DC converter. The controlled device may operate as a variable resistor in response to the first control signal to control an output voltage of the DC to DC converter. The switch mode control circuitry may be capable of providing a second control signal to the controlled device of the DC to DC converter. The controlled device may turn ON and OFF in response to the second control signal to control the output voltage of the DC to DC converter. One of the linear mode control circuitry and the switch mode control circuitry may be enabled. The controller may also include protection circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Alexandru Hartular, Chun Lu, You-Yuh Shyr, Constantin Bucur, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, Jiwei Chen, Oleg Kobildjanov
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Publication number: 20090072801Abstract: A voltage generating circuit according to the present invention comprises a voltage converter which voltage-converts a reference voltage, and an output unit which impedance-converts the voltage outputted from the voltage converter. The voltage converter and the output unit each comprise a low-voltage-side power supply and a high-voltage-side power supply. A voltage level of the high-voltage-side power supply in the output unit is set to be higher than a voltage level of the high-voltage-side power supply in the voltage converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventor: Tomokazu KOJIMA
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Patent number: 7498780Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit for providing a regulated output voltage. The voltage regulating circuit includes a voltage regulator, a converting circuit, a capacitive device, a first current mirror module, and a second current mirror module. The voltage regulator has a first output producing the regulated output voltage and a second output producing a pass voltage. The converting circuit converts the pass voltage into a first current and a second current passing through a first converting node and a second converting node respectively, where the first current charges/discharges the capacitive device. The first current mirror module has a first current mirror path coupled to the first converting node and a second current mirror path coupled to the second converting node. The second current mirror module has a first current mirror path coupled to the second converting node and a second current mirror path coupled to the first output.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Mediatek Inc.Inventors: Hung-I Chen, Chih-Hong Lou
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Publication number: 20090045788Abstract: A SEPIC converter with over-voltage protection includes a high-side inductor that connects a node Vw to a node Vx. The node Vx is connected, in turn to ground by a power MOSFET. The node Vx is also connected to a node Vy by a first capacitor. The node Vy is connected to ground by a low-side inductor. A rectifier diode further connects the node Vy and a node Vout and an output capacitor is connected between the node Vout and ground. A PWM control circuit is connected to drive the power MOSFET. An over-voltage protection MOSFET connects an input supply to the PWM control circuit and the node Vw. A comparator monitors the voltage of the input supply. If that voltage exceeds a predetermined value Vref the comparator output causes the over-voltage protection MOSFET to disconnect the node Vw and the PWM control circuit from the input supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED ANALOGIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Richard K. Williams, Kevin D'Angelo, Charles Coles
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Publication number: 20090045787Abstract: At the time of voltage adjustment, a selector (23) outputs data (D01, D1) externally received, to a current adjustment unit (24). The current adjustment unit (24) changes current (I01) in accordance with the data (D1) so that a voltage (VOUT) changes. The data (D1) obtained when the voltage (VOUT) is determined to be a certain value becomes data (D2) to be stored in a storage unit (22). At the time of a normal operation, the selector (23) provides the data (D2) output from the storage unit (22), to the current adjustment unit (24). Accordingly, even at the time of a normal operation, a power supply circuit (1) can output the voltage (VOUT) of high accuracy. It is therefore possible to provide a semiconductor device capable of outputting a voltage of high accuracy, and a power supply device provided with the semiconductor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2006Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroki Takeuchi
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Publication number: 20090045789Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a standard voltage generator; a regulator to control an output voltage, and to be capable of being switched ON/OFF; a capacitor in parallel between the standard voltage generator and the regulator; a discharging circuit including a first switch and a second switch configured to discharge electrical charges from the capacitor via the second switch while the regulator is in an OFF state; and a starting controller configured to transmit a signal for controlling the first switch and the second switch. The first switch is connected in series between the standard voltage generator and the regulator. The second switch has one end connected to a connection node between the first switch and the regulator, and has another end connected to a ground. When the first switch is in OFF state, the second switch is turned to ON state while the regulator is in OFF state.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshikazu SASAKI, Isao YAMAMOTO, Masao YONEMARU
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Publication number: 20090039844Abstract: A power supply unit, adapted to provide a predetermined output voltage from its output circuit, compares a feedback voltage associated with the output voltage of the output circuit with a reference voltage so as to control the output circuit. The power supply unit is enabled and disabled in response to an externally supplied operation command signal. The reference voltage is generated by a reference voltage generation circuit, which is operable on the voltage of the operation command signal, and is controllably enabled when the voltage of the operation command signal exceeds a predetermined level, but otherwise disabled. Thus, the reference voltage is stabilized to improve the ripple rejection characteristic of the power supply unit without increasing its current consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2005Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Taichi Hoshino, Hiroki Kikuchi
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Publication number: 20090039845Abstract: A method of switching a low dropout regulator includes determining an actual active time of a power request from an electronic device; enabling the low dropout regulator in response to said power request at a time corresponding to a start of the actual active time of the power request for an active enabled time having a duration at least the same as the actual active time and long enough to sufficiently settle the output voltage of the low dropout regulator; and disabling the low dropout regulator. In embodiments, the active enabled time is prolonged beyond the actual active time of the power request for all or at least some power requests. An electronic device includes circuits for controlling the switching of a low dropout in the described manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2008Publication date: February 12, 2009Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBHInventors: Johannes Gerber, Matthias Arnold, Korbinian Huber
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Publication number: 20090033298Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit and method are provided for regulating a voltage accurately in response to rapid variations in the regulator's load. The voltage regulator utilizes a hybrid loop; an embodiment of such utilization is exemplified by circuit 300. Amplifier 301 controls the current flowing through pass element 303 from an unregulated input voltage node Vin to a regulated voltage output node Vout. The regulated output voltage is provided to load 311 so that the voltage across the load stays constant regardless of variations in the current it pulls. The value of the regulated voltage is set by feedback network 302 and the input voltage at node Vref. The regulator feedback loop formed by amplifier 301, pass element 303, and feedback network 302 regulate the voltage at Vout in response to low frequency perturbations in load 311. In response to high frequency perturbations, a sensing network triggers control circuitry 310. Such a sensing network is exemplified in this embodiment by comparators 308 and 309.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: ZeroG Wireless, Inc.Inventor: Bendik Kleveland
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Patent number: 7482790Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventor: Matthias Eberlein
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Patent number: 7477044Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventor: Matthias Eberlein
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Patent number: 7477046Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventor: Matthias Eberlein
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Publication number: 20090001950Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a voltage regulator unit configured to output a step voltage and a damping resistance switching unit coupled between a load and an output node of the voltage regulator and configured to select an optimal damping resistance value based on a required load capacity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Takuya Ariki
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Patent number: 7471071Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a hybrid boost regulator that includes a conventional boost regulator chip that operates when its input voltage is above 2.5 volts and a pre-boost circuit that operates when its input voltage is above 1 volt. A single 1.5 volt battery may be used to power the hybrid boost regulator. The pre-boost circuit is connected to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip. The pre-boost circuit boosts the battery voltage (e.g., 1.5v) at an output terminal of the hybrid boost regulator to approximately the minimum operating voltage (e.g., 2.5v) of the boost regulator chip. Since this pre-boosted voltage is applied to the voltage input terminal of the boost regulator chip, the boost regulator chip will become operational when the ramping output voltage of the hybrid boost regulator exceeds about 2.5 volts. Once the boost regulator chip is operational, the pre-boost circuit is then turned off, and the boost regulator chip runs off the 1.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Micrel, Inc.Inventors: Wendy Ng, Charles Vinn, Ramesh Selvaraj
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Patent number: 7466115Abstract: A method and circuit for providing a soft start-up process for an amplifier circuit to reduce or prevent destructive overshoot of an output voltage are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an exemplary method and circuit are configured to suitably momentarily replace an actual fixed reference voltage with a second reference voltage during the start-up process. Such a method and circuit can provide a fast start-up process without destructive overshoot and without affecting or compromising any control loop of the amplifier circuit, and can be configured within various applications. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary amplifier circuit is configured with a soft-start circuit, with the soft-start circuit configured to provide a secondary reference voltage during initial start-up before switching to an actual reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2005Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Hubert Biagi
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Publication number: 20080303497Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device for controlling an external output transistor is provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises: a first power supply circuit including an output circuit and providing a first series regulator in cooperation with the output external transistor; and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals includes a control signal output terminal and high and low electric potential side power supply terminals for supplying electric power to the first power supply circuit. At least one of the high and low electric potential side power supply terminals is arranged adjacent to the control signal output terminal and defined as a first terminal. Short-circuiting between the control signal output terminal and the first terminal causes the external output transistor to switch into an off state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2008Publication date: December 11, 2008Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichirou Taguchi, Yasuyuki Ishikawa, Akira Suzuki, Hideaki Ishihara
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Publication number: 20080303496Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator is described having a pass device, differential amplifiers, and a feedback loop including a low pass filter. Two differential amplifiers arranged in parallel coupled to the low pass filter in the feedback loop provide a specified and stable DC voltage whose input-to-output voltage difference is low. Improved stability, reduced die area, improved power supply rejection ratio, increased bandwidth, decreased power consumption, and better electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection may result.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: David Schlueter, Jerome Enjalbert
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Publication number: 20080303492Abstract: A regulator circuit for reducing the output noise when regulators are switched includes a linear regulator and a switching regulator. The linear regulator generates a first regulator voltage from an input voltage with a first feedback loop. The switching regulator generates a second regulator voltage from the input voltage with a second feedback loop, which is connected to the first feedback loop. A loop control circuit controls the first feedback loop so as to lower the first regulator voltage when the switching regulator is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2007Publication date: December 11, 2008Inventors: MASAMI AIURA, Satoshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 7456619Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a standard voltage generator, a regulator, a capacitor and a discharging circuit. The standard voltage generator is configured to generate a standard voltage. The regulator is configured to control an output voltage by use of a reference voltage based on the standard voltage outputted from the standard voltage generator, and to be capable of being switched ON/OFF. The capacitor is connected in parallel to the regulator between the standard voltage generator and the regulator. The discharging circuit is configured to discharge electrical charges from the capacitor while the regulator is in an OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshikazu Sasaki, Isao Yamamoto, Masao Yonemaru
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Patent number: 7453239Abstract: A charging device that may perform charging with larger current is provided. The charging device comprises a switching element for increasing or decreasing charging power, a PWM controlling circuit for intermittently turning the switching element on or off, a current detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through the switching element, and a rectifying circuit for rectifying output voltage of the current detecting circuit in response to power supply voltage. The PWM controlling circuit has a limiter terminal for turning off the switching element when voltage equal to or above a determined value is input, and rectified voltage from the rectifying circuit is input to the limiter terminal. In this charging device, an amount of temperature increase of the switching element is suppressed so as to remain within a fixed range, and the charging power is not restricted unnecessarily.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: November 18, 2008Assignee: Makita CorporationInventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
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Publication number: 20080265855Abstract: Power regulator circuitry for programmable memory elements on programmable logic device integrated circuits is provided. The programmable memory elements may each include a storage element formed from cross-coupled inverters and an address transistor. Address drivers may be used to supply address signals to the address transistors. The power regulator circuitry may include an address power supply circuit that produces a time-varying address power supply voltage to the address drivers and storage element power supply circuits that provide time-varying storage element power supply voltages to the cross-coupled inverters in the storage elements. Unity gain buffers may be used to distribute a reference voltage from a bandgap voltage reference to the power supply circuits. The power supply circuits may use voltage dividers and p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor control transistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: William Bradley Vest, Ping-Chen Liu, Thien Le
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Patent number: 7444252Abstract: A linearizer circuit which corrects inherent nonlinearity of a capacitive pressure sensor is provided. The linearizer is based on an operational amplifier configuration including a feedback network of switched capacitor type that is switched between a first switching phase and a second switching phase .In this switched capacitor configuration, DC gain of the operational amplifier configuration in the second switching phase can be adapted to realize a linearization function required to substantially linearize a non-linear capacitance-pressure characteristic of a capacitive pressure sensor when the capacitive pressure sensor is connected to be part of the feedback network.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Micro Analog Systems OYInventor: Esa Sihvola
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Patent number: 7436159Abstract: A power supply configured to receive and provide a 10V input, 5V output with a continuous load of 1 A load current and a pulse load duration of 2 ms and a pulse load of 10 A load current including a switching regulator configured to provide a continuous current, the switching regulator comprising a current limit of 1.2 A, a linear regulator associated with the switching regulator, and a control circuit configured to direct the linear regulator to provide a minimal current when the power supply is at a continuous load, and to direct the linear regulator to provide a remaining portion of a pulse load current from the continuous load of the switching regulator. The control circuit, in a condition that a noise-free mode is demanded, deactivates the switching regulator and directs the linear regulator to provide the continuous current.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Fritz Wochele
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Publication number: 20080231242Abstract: A supply voltage is provided in an integrated circuit by retrieving an indicator from a storage device and generating a supply voltage for use by the integrated circuit, the supply voltage being regulated responsive to the indicator being in a first state and unregulated responsive to the indicator being in a second state. Alternatively or additionally, an external voltage provided to the integrated circuit is compared with a threshold. The supply voltage is regulated responsive to the external voltage exceeding the threshold level and unregulated responsive to the external voltage falling below the threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Stephen Mann, Robert Ross, Iman Taha
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Publication number: 20080231243Abstract: An integrated circuit package (202) includes a voltage regulator (208) and a power-out pin (236) for coupling to a load circuit (210) via a connection (234) external to the integrated circuit package and for coupling to an output (230) of the voltage regulator via a connection (224, 228, 226 and 231) internal to the integrated circuit package. The internal connection has a series resistance that causes a voltage drop due to a load current. The voltage regulator compensates for the voltage drop in the internal connection using a current feedback circuit, in which the current fed back is proportional to the voltage drop caused by the series resistance of the internal connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Kai Zhong, John J. Parkes