IP Library Granted Patent US 7,598,716
Granted Patent B2
US 7,598,716 · App. 11/759,463 · Granted Oct 6, 2009

Low pass filter low drop-out voltage regulator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,598,716
App. No.
11/759,463
Granted
Oct 6, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A low dropout voltage regulator is described having a pass device, differential amplifiers, and a feedback loop including a low pass filter. Two differential amplifiers arranged in parallel coupled to the low pass filter in the feedback loop provide a specified and stable DC voltage whose input-to-output voltage difference is low. Improved stability, reduced die area, improved power supply rejection ratio, increased bandwidth, decreased power consumption, and better electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection may result.

Claims (41)

1. A low drop-out voltage comprising:

a first differential amplifier, wherein a reference signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the first differential amplifier;

a second differential amplifier arranged in parallel with the first differential amplifier; and

a feedback loop of the low drop-out voltage regulator, comprising:

a voltage divider operable to produce a first feedback signal, wherein the first feedback signal is coupled to an inverting input of the first differential amplifier, an inverting input of the second differential amplifier, and a low pass filter; and

the low pass filter operable to produce a second feedback signal, wherein the second feedback signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the second differential amplifier.

2. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 1 , further comprising a pass device coupled with the first differential amplifier, the second differential amplifier, and the feedback loop; and wherein the pass device is operable to produce a controlled output voltage.

3. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 2 , wherein the pass device comprises a PMOS transistor.

4. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 2 , further comprising an interstage amplifier positioned prior to the pass device and positioned after the first and second differential amplifiers.

5. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 4 , wherein the interstage amplifier comprises an NMOS transistor coupled to ground and the pass device; and a resistor coupled to the NMOS transistor and the pass device.

6. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 1 , wherein the first and second differential amplifiers comprise one or more PMOS transistors and one or more NMOS transistors.

7. A low drop-out voltage regulator, comprising:

a pass circuit operable to generate a controlled output voltage;

a differential amplifier coupled to the pass circuit, a reference signal, and a feedback signal, the differential amplifier operable to compare the reference signal and the feedback signal; and

a feedback circuit coupled to the pass circuit and the differential amplifier, the feedback circuit operable to generate the feedback signal and comprising:

a voltage divider;

a low pass filter;

a first feedback loop coupled between an output of the pass circuit and the differential amplifier, the first feedback loop comprising the voltage divider; and

a second feedback loop coupled between the output of the pass circuit and the differential amplifier, the second feedback loop comprising the voltage divider and the low pass filter.

8. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , wherein the differential amplifier comprises one or more NMOS transistors and one or more PMOS transistors.

9. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , wherein the pass circuit comprises a PMOS transistor.

10. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , further comprising an interstage amplifier positioned prior to the pass circuit and positioned after the differential amplifier.

11. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 10 , wherein the interstage amplifier comprises an NMOS transistor coupled to ground and the pass circuit; and a resistor coupled to the NMOS transistor and the pass circuit.

12. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , wherein the differential amplifier comprises one or more PMOS transistors and one or more NMOS transistors.

13. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , wherein the differential amplifier comprises:

a first differential amplifier, wherein the reference signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the first differential amplifier; and

a second differential amplifier arranged in parallel with the first differential amplifier.

14. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 7 , wherein the differential amplifier comprises:

a first differential amplifier, wherein the reference signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the first differential amplifier; and

a second differential amplifier arranged in parallel with the first differential amplifier, wherein the reference signal is coupled to an inverting input of the second differential amplifier.

15. A low drop-out voltage regulator comprising:

a first differential amplifier, wherein a reference signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the first differential amplifier;

a second differential amplifier arranged in parallel with the first differential amplifier, wherein the reference signal is coupled to an inverting input of the second differential amplifier; and

a feedback loop of the low drop-out voltage regulator, comprising:

a voltage divider operable to produce a first feedback signal, wherein the first feedback signal is coupled to an inverting input of the first differential amplifier and a low pass filter; and

the low pass filter operable to produce a second feedback signal, wherein the second feedback signal is coupled to a non-inverting input of the second differential amplifier.

16. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 15 , further comprising a pass device coupled with the first differential amplifier, the second differential amplifier, and the feedback loop; and wherein the pass device is operable to produce a controlled output voltage.

17. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 16 , wherein the pass device comprises a PMOS transistor.

18. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 16 , further comprising an interstage amplifier positioned prior to the pass device and positioned after the first and second differential amplifiers.

19. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 18 , wherein the interstage amplifier comprises an NMOS transistor coupled to ground and the pass device; and a resistor coupled to the NMOS transistor and the pass device.

20. The low drop-out voltage regulator of claim 15 , wherein the first and second differential amplifiers comprise one or more PMOS transistors and one or more NMOS transistors.

Assignments (15)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037486 FRAME 0517. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 053547/0421 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: NORTH STAR INNOVATIONS INC.
Reel/Frame 037694/0264 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 12, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037486/0517 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0143 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037354/0655 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037355/0723 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037356/0553 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 6, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031591/0266 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2013
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 030633/0424 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 13, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 024397/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 15, 2010
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 024079/0082 →