Step-down unit incorporated in large scale integrated circuit

Abstract

Abstract A step-down circuit is incorporated in a large scale integrated circuit for producing an internal power voltage (Vint) from an external power voltage (Vext), and the step-down circuit (12) comprises a reference signal generating unit (12c) for producing a reference signal (REF) indicative of a target level for the internal power voltage, first and second voltage regulating units (12a and 12b) for regulating the internal power voltage to the target level, and a monitoring unit (12d) monitoring the voltage level of the power voltage and producing an enable signal in the standby mode of operation when the external power voltage exceeds a predetermined level, wherein the first and second voltage regulating units are selectively enabled depending upon mode of the large scale integrated circuit, i.e. an active mode and a standby mode, as well as the level of the external power voltage so that power consumption of the large scale integrated circuit is improved.

Inventors

• 👤 Akane Aizaki

Bibliographic Details