US5629613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
CMOS voltage regulator
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-04
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Granted: 1997-05-13
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Expires: 2014-10-04
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with the teachings of this invention, a novel voltage regulator is taught which is capable of being formed solely of MOS devices. This eliminates the need to utilize off chip components to form a stand-alone voltage regulator, and avoid the process complexities and increased cost associated with BICMOS fabrication processes.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip R. Marzolf
- 👤 Alan C. Rogers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/20; G05F3/26; G05F3/262; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A CMOS voltage regulator comprising: a first supply terminal for receiving a first supply voltage; a second supply terminal for receiving a second supply voltage; an output terminal for providing a regulated output voltage; a first MOS circuit providing a first current path coupled between said output terminal and said second supply terminal, which develops a first current as a function of said regulated output voltage, said first MOS circuit comprising a first and a second MOS transistor having their current carrying paths coupled in series between said second voltage supply terminal and said output terminal, and a common node coupled to said current mirror circuitry; a second MOS circuit providing a second current path coupled between said first supply terminal and said output terminal, which provides a second current from said first supply terminal to said output terminal as a function of said first current; and MOS current mirroring circuitry responsive to said first current to provide control of said second current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A CMOS voltage regulator comprising: a first supply terminal for receiving a first supply voltage; a second supply terminal for receiving a second supply voltage; an output terminal for providing a regulated output voltage; a first MOS circuit providing a first current path coupled between said output terminal and said second supply terminal, which develops a first current as a function of said regulated output voltage, said first MOS circuit comprising a first and a second MOS transistor having their current carrying paths coupled in series between said second voltage supply terminal and said output terminal, and a common node coupled to said current mirror circuitry; a second MOS circuit providing a second current path coupled between said first supply terminal and said output terminal, which provides a second current from said first supply terminal to said output terminal as a function of said first current; and MOS current mirroring circuitry responsive to said first current to provide control of said second current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 1 wherein said first MOS circuit comprises at least one MOS transistor having its current carrying terminals coupled between said second supply voltage terminal and said output terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 1 wherein said first and second MOS transistors have their gates coupled in common to said output terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 1 which further comprises a third MOS transistor having current carrying path coupled between said second voltage supply terminal and said output terminal, and a control terminal coupled to said common node of said first and second MOS transistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 4 wherein said third MOS transistor is sized to carry a larger current, mirrored from said first current.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 4 wherein said current mirror circuitry comprises a fourth MOS transistor having its current carrying path coupled between said first and second supply voltage terminals, and a control terminal coupled to said common node of said first and second MOS transistors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 6 wherein said fourth MOS transistor is coupled to said first supply voltage terminal through a fifth MOS transistor, and said current mirror circuit further comprises a sixth MOS transistor which mirrors the current in said fifth MOS transistor in order to provide a control voltage to control said second current path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 7 wherein said second current path comprises a seventh MOS transistor having its current carrying leads coupled between said first supply voltage terminal and said output terminal, and a control gate coupled to receive said control voltage from said sixth MOS transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 8 wherein said sixth MOS transistor is coupled to said second supply voltage terminal via a circuit which receives feedback from said output terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 9 wherein said circuit which receives feedback comprises an eighth MOS transistor having its current carrying path coupled between said sixth MOS transistor and said second supply voltage terminal, and a control terminal coupled to said output terminal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 10 which further comprises a ninth MOS transistor having a current carrying path coupled between said second voltage supply terminal and said sixth MOS transistor, and a control terminal coupled to said first voltage supply terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 10 wherein said control terminal of said eighth MOS transistor is coupled to said output terminal through a filter network.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 12 wherein said filter network comprises an RC low pass filter network.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 13 wherein said RC filter network comprises an MOS device coupled between said output terminal and said control gate of said eighth MOS transistor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 14 wherein said RC filter further comprises an MOS device serving as a capacitance coupled to said control gate of said eighth MOS transistor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A voltage regulator as in claim 15 wherein said MOS device comprises at least one source/drain region coupled to a supply voltage terminal and a control gate coupled to said control gate of said eighth MOS transistor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-05-12 | 2000-11-11 | 2001-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-11-11 | 2005-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-12 | 2008-11-11 | 2009-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |