Multimode voltage regulator and method for providing a multimode voltage regulator output voltage and an output current to a load
First Claim
1. A multimode voltage regulator, comprisingan output for providing a regulator output voltage and an output current to a load;
- a low power reference voltage source having;
a reference voltage output providing said regulator output voltage, when in a first low power mode an absolute value of said output current is not greater than a threshold value;
a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier output providing said regulator output voltage, when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value;
a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to said reference voltage output when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for less than a predefine time; and
a second bias voltage input being connected in a third normal mode to a bias voltage output of a bias voltage source when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for at least said predefined time; and
a mode controller for automatically determining said absolute value of said output current and automatically switching from said first low power mode to said second low power mode.
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Abstract
A multimode voltage regulator comprises an output for providing a regulator output voltage Vdd and an output current to a load and a low power reference voltage source having a reference voltage output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when in a first low power mode the output current is not greater than a threshold value. It may comprise a buffer amplifier having an output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when the output current is greater than the threshold value and a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to the reference voltage output when the output current is greater than the threshold value for less than a predefined time. And it may comprise a mode controller for automatically determining the output current and automatically switching from first low power mode to second low power mode.
22 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multimode voltage regulator, comprising
an output for providing a regulator output voltage and an output current to a load; -
a low power reference voltage source having; a reference voltage output providing said regulator output voltage, when in a first low power mode an absolute value of said output current is not greater than a threshold value; a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier output providing said regulator output voltage, when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value; a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to said reference voltage output when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for less than a predefine time; and a second bias voltage input being connected in a third normal mode to a bias voltage output of a bias voltage source when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for at least said predefined time; and a mode controller for automatically determining said absolute value of said output current and automatically switching from said first low power mode to said second low power mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)
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9. A method for providing a multimode voltage regulator output voltage and an output current to a load, the method comprising
providing said regulator output voltage by a reference voltage output of a low power reference voltage source when in a first low power mode an absolute value of said output current is not greater than a threshold value; -
providing said regulator output voltage by a buffer amplifier output of a buffer amplifier having a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to said reference voltage output when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for less than a predefined time; automatically determining said absolute value of said output current; automatically switching from said first low power mode to said second low power mode; and providing said regulator output voltage by said buffer amplifier output of said buffer amplifier having a second bias voltage input being connected in a third normal mode to a bias voltage output of a bias voltage source when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for at least said predefined time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14)
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15. A method comprising:
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providing only an internal voltage of a low power reference voltage source when the low power reference voltage source is in an ultra low power mode; providing, by a reference voltage output of the low power reference voltage source, a regulator output voltage when the low power reference voltage source is in a first low power mode, and in response to an absolute value of an output current being less than a threshold value; providing, by a buffer amplifier output of a buffer amplifier having a first bias voltage input being connected to the reference voltage output when the low power reference voltage source is in a second low power mode, the regulator output voltage in response to the absolute value of the output current being greater than the threshold value for less than a predefined time; automatically determining the absolute value of said output current; automatically switching from the first low power mode to said second low power mode; and providing, by the buffer amplifier output of the buffer amplifier having a second bias voltage input being connected to a bias voltage output of a bias voltage source in a normal mode, the regulator output voltage in response to the absolute value of the output current being greater than the threshold value for at least said predefined time. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification