Voltage regulator for driving plural loads based on the number of loads being driven

摘要

A voltage regulator is provided for limiting overcurrents when used with a plurality of loads, particularly in flash memories, which are connected between an output node of the regulator and a voltage reference by way of a plurality of switches. The voltage regulator includes at least one differential stage that has a non-inverting input terminal for a control voltage, and an inverting input terminal connected to the voltage reference and the output node of the regulator through a feedback network. There is an output terminal connected to the output node of the voltage regulator to produce an output reference voltage from a comparison of input voltages. In the voltage regulator is a main control transistor connected between a high-voltage reference and the output terminal of the regulator. Advantageously, the regulator further includes a number of balance transistors connected between the high-voltage reference and the output node of the regulator and driven according to the load being connected to the output node, thereby to shorten the duration of an overcurrent at the output terminal while delivering the current required by the loads.