Low-power programmable low-drop-out voltage regulator system and methods
First Claim
1. A low-drop-out voltage regulator (LDO), comprising:
- a local reference generator circuit that receives a voltage input signal (VIN) and outputs a reference voltage signal (VREF);
a buffer circuit that receives the reference voltage signal (VREF) and outputs an output voltage signal (VOUT) at an LDO output;
an attenuator circuit located between the local reference generator circuit and the buffer circuit; and
a comparison device that receives the output voltage signal (VOUT) and an accurate reference voltage signal (REF), compares the output voltage signal (VOUT) to the accurate reference voltage signal (REF), and outputs an adjustment signal that signifies tuning necessary in the LDO to adjust output voltage signal (VOUT) in the direction of a value of the accurate reference voltage signal (REF), wherein a gain of the buffer circuit is adjusted if the output voltage signal (VOUT) has a value lower than the accurate reference voltage signal (REF); and
wherein at least one of a gain of the attenuator circuit and a gain of the buffer circuit is adjusted if the output voltage signal (VOUT) has a value higher than the accurate reference voltage signal (REF).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low-power programmable low-drop-out voltage regulator system and methods are presented. The regulator includes a local reference generator circuit that receives a voltage input signal and outputs a reference voltage signal, a buffer circuit that receives the reference voltage signal and outputs an output voltage signal, and a comparison device. The comparison device receives and compares the output voltage signal and an accurate reference voltage signal and outputs an adjustment signal to adjust the output voltage signal in the direction of a value of the accurate reference voltage signal. The regulator can include an attenuator circuit to attenuate the reference voltage signal. The output voltage signal can be regulated or programmed by adjusting the gain of the buffer circuit and/or the attenuator circuit. Current consumption can also be programmed by turning on or off one or more amplifier tiers located in the buffer circuit.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A low-drop-out voltage regulator (LDO), comprising:
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a local reference generator circuit that receives a voltage input signal (VIN) and outputs a reference voltage signal (VREF);
a buffer circuit that receives the reference voltage signal (VREF) and outputs an output voltage signal (VOUT) at an LDO output;
an attenuator circuit located between the local reference generator circuit and the buffer circuit; and
a comparison device that receives the output voltage signal (VOUT) and an accurate reference voltage signal (REF), compares the output voltage signal (VOUT) to the accurate reference voltage signal (REF), and outputs an adjustment signal that signifies tuning necessary in the LDO to adjust output voltage signal (VOUT) in the direction of a value of the accurate reference voltage signal (REF), wherein a gain of the buffer circuit is adjusted if the output voltage signal (VOUT) has a value lower than the accurate reference voltage signal (REF); and
wherein at least one of a gain of the attenuator circuit and a gain of the buffer circuit is adjusted if the output voltage signal (VOUT) has a value higher than the accurate reference voltage signal (REF). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of regulating a voltage in a low-drop-out voltage regulator (LDO), comprising:
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receiving a voltage input signal (VIN);
deriving a reference voltage signal (VREF) from the voltage input signal (VIN);
deriving an attenuated reference voltage signal (VA) from the reference voltage signal (VREF);
deriving a buffered voltage signal from the attenuated reference voltage signal;
outputting the buffered voltage signal as an output voltage signal (VOUT);
comparing the output voltage signal (VOUT) to an accurate reference voltage signal (REF); and
adjusting the output voltage signal (VOUT) toward a value of the accurate reference voltage signal (REF). - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of programming current consumption in a low-drop-out voltage regulator (LDO), comprising:
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receiving a voltage input signal (VIN);
deriving a reference voltage signal (VREF) from the voltage input signal (VIN);
deriving an output voltage signal (VOUT) from the reference voltage signal (VREF) and the voltage input signal (VIN);
outputting the output voltage signal (VOUT) and a current from the LDO; and
switching on or off one or more amplifier tiers located within the LDO to adjust a level of the current. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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Specification