Low-power, high-performance regulator devices, systems, and associated methods

An apparatus comprising:

• first stage circuitry configured to generate a high voltage output from a low voltage input during an on-time and placed in a low power or off state during an off-time of the first stage circuitry;
• second stage circuitry coupled to the first stage circuitry, the second stage circuitry configured to receive the high voltage output during a sampling time coinciding with the on-time of the first stage circuitry, and output a regulated signal based on the received high voltage output,
• wherein the first stage circuitry includes:
• a primary operational amplifier (op-amp) having a primary non-inverting input, a primary inverting input, and a primary output;
• feedback circuitry coupled across the primary output and the primary inverting input;
• the low voltage input received through the primary non-inverting input;
• a secondary op-amp having a secondary non-inverting input, a secondary inverting input, and a secondary output, the primary output is coupled to the secondary inverting input, and the primary op-amp and secondary op-amp are enabled to generate the high voltage output from the low voltage input during the on-time;
• and
• high resistance feedback circuitry coupled across the secondary output and the secondary inverting input;
• wherein the second stage circuitry includes:
• a tertiary op-amp having a tertiary non-inverting input, a tertiary inverting input, and a tertiary output;
• and
• a low resistance feedback loop coupled across the tertiary output and the tertiary inverting input, the low resistance feedback loop including no active circuitry;
• and
• a switch to couple the secondary output to the tertiary non-inverting input to provide the high voltage output to the tertiary op-amp during the on-time.

A method comprising:

• receiving a low voltage input at a first stage circuitry;
• switching the first stage circuitry to an on state and generating a high voltage output from the low voltage input during the on state;
• sending the high voltage output to a second stage circuitry during a sampling time period coinciding with the on state of the first stage circuitry;
• generating a regulated signal based on the high voltage output in the second stage circuitry;
• outputting the regulated signal from the second stage circuitry;
• switching the first stage circuitry to an off state;
• and
• maintaining output of the regulated signal from the second stage circuitry while the first stage circuitry is in the off state,
• the first stage circuitry including:
• a primary operational amplifier (op-amp) having a primary non-inverting input, a primary inverting input, and a primary output;
• feedback circuitry coupled across the primary output and the primary inverting input;
• the low voltage input received through the primary non-inverting input;
• a secondary op-amp having a secondary non-inverting input, a secondary inverting input, and a secondary output, the primary output is coupled to the secondary inverting input, and the primary op-amp and secondary op-amp are enabled to generate the high voltage output from the low voltage input during the on state;
• and
• high resistance feedback circuitry coupled across the secondary output and the secondary inverting input;
• the second stage circuitry including:
• a tertiary op-amp having a tertiary non-inverting input, a tertiary inverting input, and a tertiary output;
• and
• low resistance feedback loop coupled across the tertiary output and the tertiary inverting input, the low resistance feedback loop including no active circuitry;
• wherein a switch couples the first stage circuitry to the second stage circuitry to provide the high voltage output to the second stage circuitry during the sampling time period coinciding with the on state of the first stage circuitry.

A method comprising:

• receiving a low voltage input at a first stage circuitry;
• switching the first stage circuitry to an on state and generating a high voltage output from the low voltage input during the on state;
• sending the high voltage output to a second stage circuitry during a sampling time period coinciding with the on state of the first stage circuitry;
• generating a regulated signal based on the high voltage output in the second stage circuitry;
• outputting the regulated signal from the second stage circuitry;
• switching the first stage circuitry to an off state;
• and
• maintaining output of the regulated signal from the second stage circuitry while the first stage circuitry is in the off state,
• the first stage circuitry including:
• a first operational amplifier (op-amp) having a first non-inverting input, a first inverting input, and a first output wherein the first op-amp is enabled to generate the high voltage output from the low voltage input during the on state;
• high resistance feedback circuitry coupled across the first non-inverting input;
• and
• the low voltage input received through the first non-inverting input;
• the second stage circuitry including:
• a second op-amp having a second non-inverting input, a second inverting input, and a second output;
• and
• a low resistance feedback loop coupled across the second output and the second inverting input, the low resistance feedback loop including no active circuitry;
• wherein a switch couples the first stage circuitry to the second stage circuitry to provide the high voltage output to the second stage circuitry during the sampling time period coinciding with the on state of the first stage circuitry.