Combined linear and switching voltage regulator
US6636023B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/56
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A voltage regulator having a regulator output operating at a predetermined output voltage level is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a switching regulator that has a first regulated output providing a first output voltage level, where the first output voltage level is approximately equal to the predetermined output voltage. The first regulated output is coupled to the regulator output. The voltage regulator includes a linear regulator that has a second regulated output providing a second output voltage level, where the second output voltage level is less than the first output voltage level. The second regulated output is coupled to the first regulated output such that the voltage at the regulator output is maintained at approximately the predetermined output voltage level by operation of the switching regulator until the regulator output falls below the second output voltage level at which time the regulator output is maintained at approximately the predetermined output voltage level by operation of either the linear regulator or both the linear regulator and the switching regulator.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.