EP0745923A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Voltage regulator with load pole stabilization
Assignee: STMicroelectronics lnc USA
•
Filing: 1996-04-30
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2016-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A voltage regulator with load pole stabilization is disclosed. The voltage regulator consists of an output stage, a comparator stage, and an active load. The active load draws current from the output of the voltage regulator inversely proportional to the current demand on the voltage regulator. When the output current demand is large, the active load draws relatively low current. When the output current demand is large, the active load draws a relatively large amount of current. Consequently, the disclosed voltage regulator has high stability without consuming excess power.
Inventors
- 👤 William Ernest Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:10
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/20; G05F3/26; G05F3/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A voltage regulator circuit: an output stage having an input and having an output; a comparator stage for driving the output stage responsive to comparing the output of the output stage to a voltage reference, the comparator stage having a first input connected to the output of the output stage, having a second input connected to a voltage reference, and having an output connected to the input of the output stage, and an active load having an input connected to the input of the output stage and having a conductive path from the output of the output stage to a reference voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for stabilizing a voltage in a voltage regulator having an output stage comprising the steps of: loading the output voltage with an active load, sensing a current proportional to an output current, increasing the loading as the output current decreases, and decreasing the loading as the output current increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the loading is performed by a transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the transistor is an n-channel MOSFET.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A voltage regulator circuit: a means for generating an output voltage having an input and having an output; a means for comparing the output voltage to a voltage reference, the means for comparing having a first input connected to the output voltage, having a second input connected to a voltage reference, and having an output connected to the input of the means for generating an output voltage, and a means for generating an active load having an input connected to the input of the means for generating an output voltage and having a conductive path connected across the output voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The voltage regulator circuit of claim 5 wherein the conductive path increases conductivity inversely proportional to a voltage at the output of the means for comparing the output voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The voltage regulator circuit of claim 5 wherein the conductive path of the means for generating an active load comprises a transistor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The voltage regulator of claim 5 wherein the means for generating an active load comprises a first current mirror for sensing a current flowing through the means for an output voltage and a second current mirror having an input for sensing the first current mirror and having an output, wherein the output is the conductive path of the active load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A power supply system having at least one voltage regulator wherein the voltage regulator comprises: an output stage having an input and having an output; a comparator stage for driving the output stage responsive to comparing the output of the output stage to a voltage reference, the comparator stage having a first input connected to the output of the output stage, having a second input connected to a voltage reference, and having an output connected to the input of the output stage, and an active load having an input connected to the input of the output stage and having a conductive path from the output of the output stage to a reference voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The circuit of claim 1 or the power supply of claim 9, wherein the conductive path increases conductivity inversely proportional to a voltage at the output of the comparator stage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit of claim 1 or the power supply of claim 9 wherein the conductive path of the active load comprises a transistor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The circuit of claim 7 or claim 11 or the power supply of claim 11 wherein the transistor comprises an n-channel MOSFET transistor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The circuit of claim 1 or the power supply of claim 9 wherein the active load comprises a first current mirror for sensing a current flowing through the output stage and a second current mirror having an input for sensing the first current mirror and having an output, wherein the output is the conductive path of the active load.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.