Apple Inc. (Cupertino, CA)
What is a Patent for Dual loop LDO voltage regulator
Search Patent for Dual loop LDO voltage regulator
Technical Field
This disclosure is directed to electronic circuits and, in particular to circuits for voltage regulators.
Description of Related Art
In order to deliver an ultra-low resistance voltage regulator to digital/analog circuits, they’re typically utilized in a variety circuits. To achieve this there are a variety of voltage regulator circuits can be found for various uses. Linear voltage regulators can be employed in numerous different scenarios in which the supply voltages exceed the necessary amount to power the circuit. Linear voltage regulators may produce a voltage lower than the received supply voltage.
One kind of voltage regulator that is linear is called a low dropout (LDO) regulator. A LDO voltage regulator may operate to provide an output voltage very close to the received supply voltage. In addition, LDO voltage regulators may be quite simple to design in comparison with some other voltage regulators, such as boost or buck converters that require switching between several voltage control phases.
A dual loop LDO voltage regulator is described. In one example the circuit comprises a first current mirror having first and second transistors with source terminals that are connected to an input voltage node. It also includes another current mirror that has the fourth and third transistors in which the drain terminals of the fourth and third transistors are coupled to drain terminals of first and second transistors respectively. A feedback circuit is connected to the source terminals of the 3rd and fourth transistors. It is designed to produce feedback signals based on a reference voltage and an output voltage that is present on the source terminal of the fourth transistor. The first and second mirrors form afirst control loop. Then, the first and second mirrors that reflect current as well as the feedback circuit are part of the second loop of control.
In various ways the first control loop can provide a faster transient response time than the second control loop. The first control loop may respond rapidly to drops in the output voltage (coupled with the second mirror of current) to reduce voltage droop because of load current demand. The second loop, which comprises the feedback circuit as well as mirrors for current, may provide stability for the output voltage for an extended period.
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