DUAL MODE LOW-DROPOUT LINEAR REGULATOR

摘要

In one example, a method includes operating an LDO regulator system in one of a voltage regulation mode or a power balancing mode. The method further includes comparing one or more respective reference voltages to one or more respective feedback voltages to determine a change in amount of current that needs to be delivered by the LDO regulator system, wherein a first reference voltage is across a reference resistor and a first feedback voltage is across a shunt resistor, and in response to the change in the amount of current that needs to be delivered by the LDO regulator system, adjusting an amount of current flowing through a transistor to maintain a load at a constant output voltage level. Circuits and systems that implement the method are also described.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
operating a low-dropout (LDO) regulator system in one of a voltage regulation mode or a power balancing mode, the method of operating the LDO regulator system comprising: delivering, by a transistor connected to a power source of a LDO linear regulator and a load of the LDO linear regulator, an amount of current needed to maintain an output of the LDO linear regulator at a constant output voltage level; generating, by a first amplifier stage, a first current proportional to a difference between a first reference voltage and a first feedback voltage, wherein the first reference voltage is across a reference resistor and the first feedback voltage is across a shunt resistor; generating, by a second amplifier stage, a second current proportional to a difference between a second reference voltage and a second feedback voltage; and in response to generating the first current and the second current, generating, by an output buffer stage connected to a combined output of the first amplifier stage and the second amplifier stage, based on an amount of current at the combined output, a control signal to control the transistor to maintain the load at the constant output voltage level.