Patent ID: 6275395
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A circuit comprising:a first terminal for receiving a supply voltage;an NMOS pass transistor having a gate, said pass transistor coupled between said first terminal and a second terminal;a charge pump coupled to said gate of said pass transistor for providing an enhanced voltage, derived from said supply voltage, greater than said supply voltage;an NMOS control transistor coupled to said gate of said pass transistor for discharging the gate of said pass transistor when said NMOS control transistor is turned on;a PMOS transistor coupled to receive said enhanced voltage and being coupled to said gate of said NMOS control transistor, said PMOS transistor having a gate;a current detector providing a current threshold signal; anda controller coupled to said gate of said PMOS transistor and to a gate of said NMOS control transistor, said controller turning on said PMOS transistor to charge said gate of said NMOS transistor to approximately said enhanced voltage to turn on said NMOS control transistor in response to said current threshold signal.