Apparatus and method for selectively disabling one or more analog circuits of a processor during a low power state of the processor

摘要

A disable module may be coupled to an analog circuit of an electronic circuit. The disable module may detect an input voltage that is supplied to the analog circuit, and may disable (such as by powering off) the analog circuit if the input voltage is below a reference value. The reference value may be set at a voltage level at or below a maximum voltage that may be present across a transistor in the analog circuit. Accordingly, the analog circuit may be disabled without damage to the transistors of the analog circuit. The disable module may detect whether the input voltage is below the reference value level by comparing the input voltage to a reference voltage. The electronic circuit may include a voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator may include the analog circuit.

主权项

1. A power management apparatus, comprising:
an analog circuit to receive an input voltage; a bias circuit coupled to the analog circuit, the bias circuit to provide at least one bias output to the analog circuit; and a disable circuit coupled to the analog circuit and the bias circuit, the disable circuit to detect if the input voltage is below a reference value, and to reduce current flow in the bias circuit if the input voltage is below the reference value, wherein the analog circuit is to power off based on an output voltage of the at least one bias output associated with the reduced current flow of the bias circuit.