Method for controlling the operation of a low-dropout voltage regulator and corresponding integrated circuit
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsKuno Lenz, Claude Renous, Jean-Luc Patry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integrated circuit including at least one low-dropout voltage regulator (LDO) capable of delivering a regulated output voltage using a reference voltage (VREF), comprises means for generating a substitution voltage (VRMP) in the form of a ramp and control means capable of replacing the reference voltage (VREF) by the substitution voltage as long as the substitution voltage (VRMP) is lower than the reference voltage (VREF).
Claims16
A method for controlling a regulated output voltage, the method comprising:
- delivering a regulated output voltage using a reference voltage via at least one low-dropout voltage regulator;
- replacing the reference voltage with a substitution voltage in a form of a ramp, as long as a value of the substitution voltage remains below the reference voltage during a start-up phase for the low-dropout voltage regulator;
- coupling an output of the low-dropout voltage regulator to a load that is in parallel with an external capacitor;
- and
- adjusting a slope of the ramp of the substitution voltage as a function of a desired current flowing through the external capacitor during the start-up phase.
An integrated circuit for controlling a regulated output voltage, the integrated circuit comprising:
- at least one low-dropout voltage regulator capable of delivering a regulated output voltage using a reference voltage, wherein the low-dropout voltage regulator includes:
- means for generating a substitution voltage in a form of a ramp;
- and
- means for controlling a replacement of the reference voltage by the substitution voltage as long as the substitution voltage is lower than the reference voltage during a start-up phase,
- wherein an output of the low-dropout voltage regulator is connected to a load that is in parallel with an external capacitor, and wherein a slope of the ramp of the substitution voltage is a function of a desired current flowing through the external capacitor during the start-up phase.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.