Methods and apparatus for soft start and soft turnoff of linear voltage regulators
US6188210A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/901
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for the soft start of linear regulators for controlling inrush current. In linear regulators having a pass transistor controlled by a regulator control circuit, the regulator control circuit is disabled until the regulator output reaches a predetermined threshold level. On startup, an additional transistor is coupled with a resistor and capacitor to the control terminal of the pass transistor in such a way as to provide for the slow turn-on of the pass transistor. During this time, the control circuit for the pass transistor is held inoperative. After the regulator output reaches a predetermined threshold, the pass transistor control circuit becomes operative and the slow start circuitry becomes inoperative.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.