Regulator system for an on-chip supply voltage generator

Abstract

A regulator system includes first and second voltage sensing circuits coupled to a voltage generator control circuit. The first and second voltage sensing circuits are configured to monitor the voltage generated by the on-chip voltage generator (i.e., the on-chip supply voltage) and detect when the on-chip supply voltage reaches thresholds that are predetermined to define a desired range of the on-chip supply voltage. The voltage generator control circuit receives voltage sense signals from the voltage sense circuits and, in response, asserts or de-asserts a control signal received by the on-chip voltage generator so as to activate or de-activate the on-chip voltage generator to maintain the on-chip supply voltage within the desired range. The voltage generator control circuit introduces hysteresis in the generation of the control signal provided to the on-chip voltage generator. As a result of this hysteresis, once the on-chip voltage generator is activated, the voltage generator control circuit only de-activates the on-chip voltage generator when the on-chip supply voltage reaches the higher threshold. Conversely, once the on-chip voltage generator is de-activated, the voltage generator control circuit only activates the on-chip voltage generator when the on-chip supply voltage reaches the lower threshold.