Method and Apparatus for Enabling a Voltage Regulator
AssigneeQimonda North America Corp.
InventorBenjamin Heilmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A voltage regulator circuit is operated by enabling a bias network operable to set a bias current in an amplifier. A startup circuit is connected to the bias network, the startup circuit operable to assist the bias network in setting the amplifier bias current during a startup period. The startup circuit is disconnected from the bias network responsive to the startup period lapsing while the voltage regulator circuit is enabled for resetting the startup circuit to an initial state. The bias network may be disabled to reduce the amplifier bias current. Subsequent re-enablement of the bias network is prevented until the amplifier is reliably disabled.
Claims30
A method of operating a voltage regulator circuit, comprising:
- enabling a bias network operable to set a bias current in an amplifier;
- connecting a startup circuit to the bias network, the startup circuit operable to assist the bias network in setting the amplifier bias current during a startup period;
- and
- disconnecting the startup circuit from the bias network responsive to the startup period lapsing while the voltage regulator circuit is enabled for resetting the startup circuit to an initial state.
A voltage regulator circuit, comprising:
- an amplifier configured to output a regulated voltage when enabled;
- a bias network configured to enable the amplifier by setting a bias current in the amplifier when the bias network is enabled and to reduce the amplifier bias current when the bias network is disabled;
- and
- a startup circuit configured to assist the bias network in setting the amplifier bias current when connected to the bias network during a startup period and to reset to an initial state when disconnected from the bias network responsive to the startup period lapsing while the voltage regulator circuit is enabled.
A method of operating a voltage regulator circuit including an amplifier and a bias network configured to set a bias current in the amplifier when the bias network is enabled, the method comprising:
- disabling the bias network to reduce the amplifier bias current;
- and
- preventing subsequent re-enablement of the bias network until the amplifier is reliably disabled.
A voltage regulator circuit, comprising:
- an amplifier configured to output a regulated voltage when enabled;
- a bias network configured to enable the amplifier by setting a bias current in the amplifier when the bias network is enabled and to reduce the amplifier bias current when the bias network is disabled;
- and
- circuitry configured to prevent enablement of the bias network from a disabled state until the amplifier is reliably disabled.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.