Voltage generator with current source compensated for an error current operable over a wide voltage range
US9348347B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2013 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 27, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M3/156
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In one embodiment, a regulator circuit for generating a regulated output voltage Vout has an error amplifier using a pair of bipolar transistors at its front end. The error amplifier compares the regulated output voltage to a reference voltage Vref. A precision current source draws a first current through a user-selected set resistance to generate the desired Vref. The regulator circuit controls a power stage to cause Vout to be equal to Vref. The base current into one of the bipolar transistors normally distorts the current through the set resistance. A base current compensation circuit is coupled to the current source to adjust the first current by a value equal to the base current to offset the base current. Therefore, Vref is not affected by the base current. The error amplifier may be in a linear regulator or a switching regulator. The compensation circuit may be used in other applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.