The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 1997
Filed:
Jun. 15, 1995
Salvatore Richard Riggio, Jr, Boca Raton, FL (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A voltage regulator, providing a constant-voltage output through an output terminal, includes an operational amplifier and an output stage driven by an output of the amplifier. A voltage reference is applied to a negative input terminal of the amplifier, and an input voltage, which is greater in magnitude than the output voltage, is applied to the output stage. A first feedback loop returns a signal proportional to the output voltage to the positive input of the amplifier. A second feedback loop extends between the output and input of the amplifier, including resistive and capacitative elements to stabilize the voltage regulator. In a version producing a positive output, the voltage reference applies a positive voltage to the amplifier, and the output stage includes a p-channel power MOSFET device. In a version producing a negative output, the voltage reference applies a negative voltage to the amplifier, and the output stage includes an n-channel power MOSFET device. While the input voltage must be greater than the output voltage, the difference between these voltages is minimized with this configuration, improving the efficiency of the voltage regulator.