Quiescent current reduction in low dropout voltage regulators

An integrated voltage regulator circuit having positive and negative supply rails connectable to a source of operating power, said circuit having a low dropout voltage, a low quiescent current and comprising:

• a PNP pass transistor having an emitter coupled to said positive supply rail a collector providing the regulated output voltage and a base;
• a PNP control transistor having a base, an emitter coupled to said base of said pass transistor, a lateral primary collector coupled through a normally forward biased diode to said collector of said pass transistor and a secondary collector normally subservient to said lateral primary collector and capable of collecting injected current carriers when said lateral primary collector saturates;
• a diff amp having an output coupled to said base of said control transistor, a noninverting input coupled to a reference potential and an inverting input;
• and
• voltage divider means coupled between said collector of said pass transistor and said diff amp inverting input.