Linear voltage regulator with selectable light and heavy load paths
US7106032B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 3, 2005 |
| Grant date | Sep 12, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 5, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05F1/569
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A light-load power transistor and a heavy-load power transistor are connected in parallel between an input voltage and an output voltage. The light-load power transistor has a smaller current driving capability, i.e. a smaller dimension of a current path. During a light-load mode, only is the light-load power transistor activated to reduce the current consumption caused by an error amplifier, thereby enhancing the efficiency. When a detection current signal is higher than a threshold current signal, the heavy-load power transistor is additionally activated through a gate control circuit by a mode selection circuit, thereby achieving a sufficient current driving capability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.