# US 12,761,677 B2 · IC regulator with constant current consumption > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,761,677 B2 - Document ID: US12761677B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/426,416 - Filed: 2024-01-30 - Published: 2025-07-31 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2024-01-30 - Assignees: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC - Applicants: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC - Inventors: Leandro Fuentes; Ezequiel Rubinsztain; Javier Cuneo; Bruno Luis Uberti; Manuel Rivas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12761677B2 ## CPC - G05F 1/562: {with a threshold detection shunting the control path of the final control device} - G05F 1/565: sensing a condition of the system or its load in addition to means responsive to deviations in the output of the system, e.g. current, voltage, power factor (G05F1/563 takes precedence) - G05F 1/575: characterised by the feedback circuit - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES ## Abstract An integrated circuit (IC) regulator includes a pass element and a buffer. The pass element has an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal and the buffer has an output coupled to the regulator output. A pass element current between the input terminal and output terminal is independent of the load current associated with a functional circuit of the IC and the buffer is configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An integrated circuit (IC) regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided to a functional circuit of the IC, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The IC regulator of claim 1 wherein the biasing circuit further comprises a startup circuit. ### Claim 3 An integrated circuit (IC) comprising: a regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current; a functional circuit coupled to the output of the regulator and configured to draw the load current; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The IC of claim 3 wherein the biasing circuit further comprises a startup circuit configured to force a current through the current mirror. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The IC of claim 3 wherein the pass element is a MOSFET device biased with a constant gate to source voltage. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The IC of claim 3 wherein the IC is provided in a two-wire package having a first pin coupled to a positive connection of the supply voltage and a second pin coupled to a negative connection of the supply voltage, and wherein an output signal of the functional circuit is provided on the positive and negative supply voltage connections. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The IC of claim 3 wherein the IC is provided in a three-wire package having a first pin coupled to a positive connection of the supply voltage, a second pin coupled to a negative connection of the supply voltage, and a third pin at which an output signal of the functional circuit is provided. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The IC of claim 3 wherein the buffer has a first input coupled to receive a reference voltage and a second input coupled to receive a feedback voltage that is based on the regulated voltage. ### Claim 9 An integrated circuit (IC) regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided to a functional circuit of the IC, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current, wherein the buffer comprises a source follower or an operational transconductance amplifier; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The IC regulator of claim 9 wherein the biasing circuit further comprises a startup circuit. ### Claim 11 An integrated circuit (IC) regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided to a functional circuit of the IC, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC, and wherein the pass element is a MOSFET device biased with a constant gate to source voltage. ### Claim 12 An integrated circuit (IC) regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided to a functional circuit of the IC, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC, and wherein the buffer has a first input coupled to receive a reference voltage and a second input coupled to receive a feedback voltage that is based on the regulated voltage. ### Claim 13 An integrated circuit (IC) comprising: a regulator having an input coupled to a supply voltage and an output at which a load current and a regulated voltage are provided, the regulator comprising: a pass element having an input terminal coupled to the regulator input, an output terminal coupled to the regulator output, and a control terminal, wherein a pass element current between the input terminal and the output terminal is independent of the load current; a buffer having an output coupled to the regulator output and configured to shunt any portion of the pass element current that is greater than the load current; a functional circuit coupled to the output of the regulator and configured to draw the load current, wherein the buffer comprises a source follower or an operational transconductance amplifier; a transistor coupled to the pass element in a current mirror configuration; and a biasing circuit coupled to the transistor and configured to establish the pass element current, wherein the biasing circuit comprises a current DAC. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The IC regulator of claim 13, wherein the biasing circuit further comprises a startup circuit configured to force a current through the current mirror.