IP Library Granted Patent US 10,345,837
Granted Patent B1
US 10,345,837 · App. 15/958,967 · Granted Jul 9, 2019

Current-based feedback control for voltage regulators

Inventor: Miguel Valencia (Bristol, GB)
Assignee: Semtech Corporation
G05F1/575G05F1/563G05F1/62H02M3/157H03M1/66
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,345,837
App. No.
15/958,967
Granted
Jul 9, 2019
Kind
B1
Abstract

A voltage regulator has a comparator and a reference voltage coupled to a first input of the comparator. An output voltage of the voltage regulator is coupled to a second input of the comparator through a resistor. A current source is coupled to the second input of the comparator. The first current source can be a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC). A second current source can be coupled in parallel with the first DAC. The second current source can be a second DAC. The voltage regulator can include a boost topology.

Claims (34)

1. A method of making a voltage regulator, comprising:

providing a comparator including a reference voltage coupled to a first input of the comparator;

coupling a first current source to a second input of the comparator, wherein the first current source includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC);

coupling a counter between an output of the comparator and an input of the DAC; and

coupling a resistor to the second input of the comparator.

2. The method of claim 1 , further including coupling the second input of the comparator to an output voltage node through the resistor.

3. The method of claim 2 , further including coupling the second input of the comparator to a ground voltage node through the first current source.

4. The method of claim 1 , further including modifying a switching frequency of the voltage regulator based on an output of the comparator.

5. The method of claim 1 , further including providing a second current source coupled in parallel with the first current source, wherein the first current source is fine adjustable and the second current source is coarse adjustable.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the voltage regulator includes a boost topology.

7. A method of making a voltage regulator controller, comprising:

providing a comparator including a reference voltage coupled to a first input of the comparator;

coupling a first current source to a second input of the comparator; and

providing a second current source coupled in parallel with the first current source, wherein the first current source is fine adjustable and the second current source is coarse adjustable.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first current source is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

9. The method of claim 8 , further including providing a counter coupled between an output of the comparator and an input of the DAC.

10. The method of claim 7 , further including coupling a voltage output terminal of the voltage regulator controller to the second input of the comparator.

11. A voltage regulator, comprising:

a comparator including a reference voltage coupled to a first input of the comparator;

a first current source coupled to a second input of the comparator;

a second current source coupled in parallel with the first current source, wherein the first current source is fine adjustable and the second current source is coarse adjustable; and

a resistor coupled to the second input of the comparator.

12. The voltage regulator of claim 11 , wherein the voltage regulator includes a voltage output node coupled to the second input of the comparator through the resistor.

13. The voltage regulator of claim 12 , further including a ground node, wherein the ground node is coupled to the second input of the comparator through the first current source.

14. The voltage regulator of claim 11 , wherein the first current source is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

15. The voltage regulator of claim 14 , further including a counter coupled to an output of the comparator to control the DAC.

16. The voltage regulator of claim 11 , wherein the voltage regulator is a boost topology.

17. A voltage regulator controller, comprising:

a comparator including a reference voltage coupled to a first input of the comparator;

a first current source coupled to a second input of the comparator, wherein the first current source is a digital-to-analog converter (DAC); and

a counter coupled between an output of the comparator and an input of the DAC.

18. The voltage regulator controller of claim 17 , further including a second current source coupled in parallel with the first current source.

19. The voltage regulator controller of claim 18 , wherein the first current source is fine adjustable and the second current source is coarse adjustable.

20. The voltage regulator controller of claim 17 , wherein a voltage output terminal of the voltage regulator controller is coupled to the second input of the comparator.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (046274/0476) Recorded Feb 17, 2023
From: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS RESIGNING AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 062783/0928 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2018
From: SEMTECH CORPORATION; SEMTECH NEW YORK CORPORATION; SIERRA MONOLITHICS, INC.; SEMTECH EV, INC.; TRIUNE SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; TRIUNE IP, LLC
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 046274/0476 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2018
From: VALENCIA, MIGUEL
To: SEMTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 045603/0825 →