In-rush current control for a low drop-out voltage regulator
US6559623B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 3, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 6, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 3, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S323/908
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and circuit are shown for controlling an in-rush current to a voltage regulator circuit. A sense transistor is coupled in parallel with a pass transistor of the voltage regulator circuit and used to monitor the current through the pass transistor. A sense current through the sense transistor is converted to a voltage signal and input to an amplifier along with a ramping voltage signal generated in response to a circuit activation signal. An output of the amplifier drives a control gate of a current source that sources current to gate terminals of both the pass transistor and the sense transistor. A limiting circuit also monitors the sense current and sinks current from the control terminal of the current source in order to limit a maximum current through the pass transistor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.