US5867015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low drop-out voltage regulator with PMOS pass element
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1997-12-17
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Granted: 1999-02-02
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Expires: 2017-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A voltage regulator circuit includes: a first MOS transistor 12 coupled between a voltage supply line and an output node 44, the first MOS transistor 12 providing a stable voltage on the output node 44; a source follower 24 coupled to a gate of the first MOS transistor 12; an amplifier 38 coupled to a gate of the source follower 24 for controlling the response of the first MOS transistor 12; negative feedback circuitry coupled between the output node 44 and the amplifier 38, the feedback circuitry providing feedback to the amplifier 38; a current conveyer 46 coupled to the first MOS transistor 12; and positive feedback circuitry 26 coupled between the current conveyer 46 and the source follower 24.
Inventors
- 👤 Marco Corsi
- 👤 Robert B. Borden
- 👤 Michael R. Kay
- 👤 Nicolas Salamina
- 👤 Gabriel A. Rincon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:32
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F3/00; G05F3/02; G05F3/08; G05F3/10; G05F3/16; G05F3/20; G05F3/24; G05F3/242; H; H03; H03G; H03G1/00; H03G1/0005; G05F3/26; G05F3/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A voltage regulator circuit comprising: a first MOS transistor coupled between a voltage supply line and an output node, the first MOS transistor providing a stable voltage on the output node; a source follower coupled to a gate of the first MOS transistor; a current source coupled to the source follower; an amplifier coupled to a gate of the source follower for controlling the response of the first MOS transistor; negative feedback circuitry coupled between the output node and the amplifier, the feedback circuitry providing feedback to the amplifier; a current conveyer coupled to the first MOS transistor; and positive feedback circuitry coupled between the current conveyer and the source follower.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A voltage regulator circuit comprising: a first MOS transistor coupled between a voltage supply line and an output node, the first MOS transistor providing a stable voltage on the output node; a source follower coupled to a gate of the first MOS transistor; a current source coupled to the source follower; an amplifier coupled to a gate of the source follower for controlling the response of the first MOS transistor; negative feedback circuitry coupled between the output node and the amplifier, the feedback circuitry providing feedback to the amplifier; a current conveyer coupled to the first MOS transistor; and positive feedback circuitry coupled between the current conveyer and the source follower.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
115 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the current conveyer comprises: a second MOS transistor having a gate coupled to the gate of the first MOS transistor; a first bipolar transistor coupled to the first MOS transistor; a second bipolar transistor coupled to the second MOS transistor, a base of the second bipolar transistor is coupled to a base of the first bipolar transistor; a third MOS transistor coupled to the first bipolar transistor; and a fourth MOS transistor coupled to the second bipolar transistor and to the base of the first bipolar transistor, a gate of the fourth MOS transistor coupled to a gate of the third MOS transistor and to the first bipolar transistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the positive feedback circuitry comprises: a positive feedback MOS transistor coupled to the source follower; a resistor coupled between the current conveyer and a gate of the positive feedback MOS transistor; and a capacitor coupled to the gate of the positive feedback MOS transistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The circuit of claim 1 wherein the negative feedback circuitry comprises: a first resistor having a first end coupled to the output node and a second end coupled to the amplifier; and a second resistor coupled to the second end of the first resistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A voltage regulator circuit comprising: a MOS transistor coupled between a voltage supply line and an output node, the MOS transistor providing a stable voltage on the output node; a source follower coupled to a gate of the MOS transistor; an amplifier having an output coupled to a gate of the source follower for controlling the response of the MOS transistor; negative feedback circuitry coupled between the output node and an input of the amplifier; and a slew rate enhancement transistor coupled to the source follower, a gate of the slew rate enhancement transistor is coupled to the output of the amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A voltage regulator circuit comprising: a MOS transistor coupled between a voltage supply line and an output node, the MOS transistor providing a stable voltage on the output node; a source follower coupled to a gate of the MOS transistor; an amplifier having an output coupled to a gate of the source follower for controlling the response of the MOS transistor; negative feedback circuitry coupled between the output node and an input of the amplifier; and a slew rate enhancement transistor coupled to the source follower, a gate of the slew rate enhancement transistor is coupled to the output of the amplifier.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4954769A
Cited
US5751639A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-01 | 2002-08-03 | 2003-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-01 | 2006-08-03 | 2007-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-01 | 2010-08-03 | 2011-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |