Voltage regulator power management apparatus
US6969981B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 9, 2003 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 2, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Quiescent currents in a circuit that includes a regulator are reduced by disabling selected portions of the circuit. A window comparator is selected activated to evaluate the input voltage such that a first operating mode is activated when the input voltage is within a predetermined voltage range and a second operating mode is activated when the input voltage is outside of the predetermined voltage range. The battery voltage is used a reference signal when the first mode is selected such that a voltage reference circuit can be disabled to reduce power, while the voltage reference circuit is enabled when the second mode is selected. Another comparator circuit is periodically activated to compare the reference signal to the output voltage. The regulator is disabled after the output voltage exceeds a first level. The output voltage collapses below a second level associated, the evaluation and regulation process is repeated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.