Linear voltage regulator with dynamically selectable drivers
First Claim
1. A voltage regulator, comprising:
- an adjustable driver coupled to receive an input voltage, a gating voltage, and first control signaling, the adjustable driver including driver transistors, the adjustable driver configured to provide a drive current responsive to the gating voltage, the drive current provided through one or more of the driver transistors,wherein the gating voltage is selectively applied to at least a portion of the driver transistors responsive to the first control signaling;
a controller coupled to receive the input voltage and the gating voltage, the controller configured to provide the first control signaling responsive to the gating voltage; and
control circuitry configured to provide the gating voltage responsive to load current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage regulator and a method for voltage regulation are described. An adjustable driver is coupled to receive an input voltage, a gating voltage, and first control signaling. The adjustable driver includes driver transistors. The adjustable driver is configured to provide a drive current responsive to the gating voltage. The drive current is provided through one or more of the driver transistors at least a portion of which are selectively gated responsive to the first control signaling. A controller is coupled to receive the input voltage and the gating voltage. The controller is configured to provide the first control signaling responsive to the gating voltage. Control circuitry is configured to provide the gating voltage responsive to load current.
64 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A voltage regulator, comprising:
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an adjustable driver coupled to receive an input voltage, a gating voltage, and first control signaling, the adjustable driver including driver transistors, the adjustable driver configured to provide a drive current responsive to the gating voltage, the drive current provided through one or more of the driver transistors, wherein the gating voltage is selectively applied to at least a portion of the driver transistors responsive to the first control signaling; a controller coupled to receive the input voltage and the gating voltage, the controller configured to provide the first control signaling responsive to the gating voltage; and control circuitry configured to provide the gating voltage responsive to load current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A voltage regulator, comprising:
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a first adjustable driver and a second adjustable driver; the first and the second adjustable driver coupled to receive an input voltage and a gating voltage; the first adjustable driver coupled to receive first control signaling and configured to select one or more first driver transistors responsive to the first control signaling; the second adjustable driver coupled to receive second control signaling and configured to select one or more second driver transistors responsive to the second control signaling; the first adjustable driver and the second adjustable driver configurable to provide at least a portion of a drive current from the input voltage through the one or more first driver transistors selected and the one or more second driver transistors selected, wherein the one or more first driver transistors selected are selectively coupled to the gating voltage responsive to the first control signaling, and wherein the one or more second driver transistors selected are selectively coupled to the gating voltage responsive to the second control signaling; a controller coupled to receive the input voltage and the gating voltage, the controller configured to provide the second control signaling responsive to the gating voltage; and control circuitry configured to provide the gating voltage responsive to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, the feedback voltage responsive to load current. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for voltage regulation, comprising:
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generating a gating voltage responsive to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage; sensing the gating voltage as an indicator of load current; programmably adjusting first transistor drivers used to pass at least a portion of the load current from a voltage supply responsive to the gating voltage sensed; and selectively coupling the gating voltage to the first transistor drivers responsive to the adjusting. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification