Dialog Semiconductor (uk) Limited

Apple Inc.

Dialog Semiconductor Gmbh

Hande Kurnaz

Ambreesh Bhattad

Frank Kronmueller

Gary Hague

Alper Ucar

A regulator configured to provide at an output node a load current at an output voltage is described. The regulator comprises a pass transistor for providing the load current at the output node. Furthermore, the regulator comprises feedback means for deriving a feedback voltage from the output voltage at the output node. In addition, the regulator comprises a differential amplifier configured to control the pass transistor in dependence of the feedback voltage and in dependence of a reference voltage. The regulator further comprises compensation means configured to determine a sensed current which is indicative of the load current at the output node. Furthermore, the compensation means are configured to adjust an operation point of the regulator in dependence of the sensed current and in dependence of a value of a track impedance of a conductive track which links the output node to a load.

Voltage regulator with impedance compensation

A regulator for providing a load current at a regulator output voltage to a load at an output of the regulator is described. The regulator has a differential input stage to provide a differential output voltage based on a reference voltage and based on the regulator output voltage. Furthermore, the regulator has an output driver to generate a control signal based on the differential output voltage. In addition, the regulator has a pass transistor to provide the load current in dependence of the control signal. The regulator also has clamping circuitry to sense an overvoltage indication which indicates that the pass transistor is being turned off. Furthermore, the clamping circuitry clamps the differential output voltage to a clamping voltage, if the overvoltage indication indicates that the pass transistor is being turned off.

Overvoltage clamp in regulators

A voltage regulator which provides an output current at an output voltage at an output node of the voltage regulator, based on an input voltage at an input node of the voltage regulator is described. The voltage regulator has an output amplification stage for deriving the output current at the output node from the input voltage at the input node in dependence of a drive voltage. Furthermore, the voltage regulator has a differential amplification stage to determine the drive voltage in dependence of the output voltage and in dependence of a reference voltage. In addition, the voltage regulator has an adaption unit to determine a capacitance indication of a capacitor value of an output capacitor coupled to the output node of the voltage regulator. The adaption unit also adapts the differential amplification stage in dependence of the capacitance indication.

Voltage regulator with output capacitor measurement

A voltage regulator provides an output current at an output voltage, based on an input voltage. The voltage regulator has a pass transistor for deriving the output current. The voltage regulator contains a drive transistor forming a current mirror in conjunction with the pass transistor, such that the output current through the pass transistor is dependent on a drive current through the drive transistor. The voltage regulator comprises an auxiliary transistor arranged such that at least a fraction of the drive current through the drive transistor flows through the auxiliary transistor. The voltage regulator has amplification circuitry to set the drive current through the drive transistor depending on the output voltage and on a reference voltage. The voltage regulator further contains control circuitry to detect an indication for a dropout situation where a difference between the input voltage and the output voltage falls below a dropout voltage.

Voltage regulators with current reduction mode

Methods and circuits for linearly controlling a limited, constant current during startup of LDOs, amplifiers, or DC-to-DC converters independent of load capacitor size and controlling a clean transition without glitches from a constant current (CC) mode during startup to a constant voltage (CV) mode during normal operation (CC-CV method) are disclosed. The constant current control loop and the constant voltage control loop are implemented in such a way that at the end of startup the voltage loop has taken over control and the current loop is moved far away from its active transistor region, allowing a switch of modes to occur without any nasty transitions on the output.

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Dettingen-Teck, Germany

Hande Kurnaz