Patent ID: 6359427
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: G05F

Abstract:
A linear regulator having a power input, a regulator output and a common connection, comprising:an error amplifier having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and a second input coupled to a feedback voltage responsive to the regulator output, the error amplifier providing an error amplifier output responsive to the difference in its inputs; first, second and third transistors, each having first and second electrodes and a control electrode, the voltage between the control electrode and the first electrode of each transistor controlling the current flow between the first and second electrodes of the respective transistor, the first electrode of the first transistor being coupled to the common connection and the control electrode of the first transistor being coupled to the error amplifier output; a current mirror coupled to the power input, the second electrode of the first transistor and to the regulator output, the current mirror mirroring the current from the first transistor to the regulator output; the first electrodes of the second and third transistors being coupled together and to the common connection through a current source, the control electrode of the second transistor being coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor, the control electrode of the third transistor being coupled to a second reference voltage, the second electrode of the second transistor being coupled to the power input and the second electrode of the third transistor being coupled to the power input through a device controlling the current mirror and responsive to the current through the device.