IP Library Granted Patent US 8,072,198
Granted Patent B2
US 8,072,198 · App. 12/703,454 · Granted Dec 6, 2011

Voltage regulator

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,072,198
App. No.
12/703,454
Granted
Dec 6, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

To provide a voltage regulator having improved response characteristics in case of overshoot. The voltage regulator includes: a transistor ( 303 ) for detecting an overshoot at an output terminal; and a current mirror circuit connected to the transistor ( 303 ). If the transistor ( 303 ) detects the overshoot, a control transistor ( 16 ) is turned ON to discharge a voltage of the output terminal.

Claims (20)

1. A voltage regulator, in which an output terminal is connected to a load capacitor, and a voltage detection circuit section for detecting an overshoot at the output terminal controls a control transistor connected to the output terminal so as to suppress the overshoot at the output terminal,

wherein the voltage detection circuit section comprises:

a first transistor for detecting the overshoot at the output terminal;

a second transistor having a gate and a drain which are connected to a drain of the first transistor, and a source connected to the output terminal;

a third transistor having a gate connected to the gate of the second transistor, and a source connected to the output terminal; and

a fourth transistor having a drain connected to a drain of the third transistor, and a gate connected to a reference voltage terminal, the fourth transistor having a threshold lower than a threshold of the first transistor, and

wherein the overshoot at the output terminal is detected by a parasitic capacitance between the drain and the source of the third transistor before the first transistor detects the overshoot at the output terminal.

2. A voltage regulator according to claim 1 , wherein a connection point between a first resistor connected to the output terminal and a second resistor is connected to a gate of the first transistor.

3. A voltage regulator according to claim 2 ,

wherein the second resistor comprises a plurality of resistors, and

wherein the voltage regulator further comprises a fifth transistor for switching a resistance value of the second resistor in accordance with an output of the voltage detection circuit section.

4. A voltage regulator according to claim 1 , wherein the voltage detection circuit section further comprises:

a fifth transistor having a drain connected to the drain of the third transistor, and a gate connected to the reference voltage terminal, the fifth transistor having a threshold lower than the threshold of the first transistor; and

a sixth transistor having a drain connected to a source of the fifth transistor.

5. A voltage regulator according to claim 2 , wherein the voltage detection circuit section further comprises:

a fifth transistor having a drain connected to the drain of the third transistor, and a gate connected to the reference voltage terminal, the fifth transistor having a threshold lower than the threshold of the first transistor; and

a sixth transistor having a drain connected to a source of the fifth transistor.

6. A voltage regulator according to claim 3 , wherein the voltage detection circuit section further comprises:

a fifth transistor having a drain connected to the drain of the third transistor, and a gate connected to the reference voltage terminal, the fifth transistor having a threshold lower than the threshold of the first transistor; and

a sixth transistor having a drain connected to a source of the fifth transistor.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 12, 2018
From: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
To: ABLIC INC.
Reel/Frame 045567/0927 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037783 FRAME: 0166. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Feb 23, 2016
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC
To: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037903/0928 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2016
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC
To: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION .
Reel/Frame 037783/0166 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 14, 2010
From: IMURA, TAKASHI
To: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Reel/Frame 024232/0558 →