Patent ID: 6060873
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G11C

Abstract:
A method of regulating a supply voltage generated by an on-chip voltage generator implemented on a chip, the chip configured to receive an external supply voltage and having an on-chip regulated reference voltage supply that provides a reference voltage, the method comprising:providing a first signal representing a level of the on-chip-generated supply voltage using a voltage detector;detecting when the chip enters a power-up mode using a first circuit;enabling a power-up detection path when the power-up mode is detected using the first circuit, the power-up detection path being coupled to receive the first signal;when the power-up detection path is enabled, generating a control signal as a function of at least the first signal and independently of the reference voltage using a second circuit, the control signal being received by the on-chip voltage generator, and monitoring the reference voltage during the power-up mode and, when the reference voltage reaches a predetermined level, disabling the power-up detection path and enabling the normal detection path;enabling a normal detection path when the power-up mode is not detected using the first circuit, the normal detection path being coupled to receive the first signal and the reference voltage; andwhen the normal detection path is enabled, generating the control signal in response to the first signal and the reference voltage using a third circuit.