Patent ID: 7276960

Claim:
A voltage regulated charge pump circuit, comprising: an amplifier means to convert an output voltage error at an output terminal of a charge pump circuit into a charge current, where said charge current is a function of said output voltage error; current amplifying means coupled to an output of said amplifier means to mirror said charge current into a first plate of a flying capacitor means, thereby charging said flying capacitor means; a charge pump running at a constant frequency, coupled between a clock input and a second plate of said flying capacitor means to pump said flying capacitor means when said output voltage error indicates an under-voltage condition, where said charge pump upon receiving an inhibiting signal is inhibited from pumping said flying capacitor means when said output voltage error indicates an over-voltage condition, and where a signaling circuit driven by said output of said amplifier means issues said inhibiting signal; said signaling circuit comprising switching means where the control pate of said switching means is coupled to a signal comprising the sum of a transistor threshold voltage and transistor saturation voltage; and said output terminal in communication with said first plate of said flying capacitor means to provide an output voltage.