Provided is a voltage regulator capable of suppressing fluctuation in a limited current. The voltage regulator includes: a first differential amplifier circuit configured to compare a voltage based on an output voltage and a reference voltage to each other, to thereby output a first voltage; a second differential amplifier circuit configured to compare the first voltage and a second voltage to each other, to thereby output a third voltage; a first transistor configured to receive the third voltage at a gate thereof such that the output voltage is generated at a drain thereof; a second transistor, which includes a gate connected in common to the gate of the first transistor and has a predetermined size ratio to the first transistor; and a voltage generating unit, which includes one end connected to a drain of the second transistor and is configured to generate the second voltage at the one end.

Provided is a voltage regulator capable of suppressing fluctuation in a limited current. The voltage regulator includes: a first differential amplifier circuit configured to compare a voltage based on an output voltage and a reference voltage to each other, to thereby output a first voltage; a second differential amplifier circuit configured to compare the first voltage and a second voltage to each other, to thereby output a third voltage; a first transistor configured to receive the third voltage at a gate thereof such that the output voltage is generated at a drain thereof; a second transistor, which includes a gate connected in common to the gate of the first transistor and has a predetermined size ratio to the first transistor; and a voltage generating unit, which includes one end connected to a drain of the second transistor and is configured to generate the second voltage at the one end.

A plurality of IO cells are arranged along an edge portion of a semiconductor chip. Some elements forming a reference voltage generation circuit are arranged in a first corner region of the semiconductor chip. Remaining elements forming the reference voltage generation circuit are arranged in a core region on an inner side of the edge portion of the semiconductor chip. Among a plurality of corner regions, the first corner region is located closest to the remaining elements.

A plurality of IO cells are arranged along an edge portion of a semiconductor chip. Some elements forming a reference voltage generation circuit are arranged in a first corner region of the semiconductor chip. Remaining elements forming the reference voltage generation circuit are arranged in a core region on an inner side of the edge portion of the semiconductor chip. Among a plurality of corner regions, the first corner region is located closest to the remaining elements.

Examples are disclosed that relate to power supply devices and methods for managing DC power. In one example, a method comprises: providing DC power at a first voltage until determining that a standby time period has elapsed; determining that a load is connected to the power supply device; and based on determining that the standby time period has elapsed, entering a restricted power mode, wherein the restricted power mode comprises either: deactivating the DC power, or (1) providing the DC power at a second voltage until determining that a load detection time period has elapsed, (2) deactivating the DC power after determining that the load detection time period has elapsed, and (3) repeating (1) and (2) until determining that the load is no longer connected to the power supply device.

Examples are disclosed that relate to power supply devices and methods for managing DC power. In one example, a method comprises: providing DC power at a first voltage until determining that a standby time period has elapsed; determining that a load is connected to the power supply device; and based on determining that the standby time period has elapsed, entering a restricted power mode, wherein the restricted power mode comprises either: deactivating the DC power, or (1) providing the DC power at a second voltage until determining that a load detection time period has elapsed, (2) deactivating the DC power after determining that the load detection time period has elapsed, and (3) repeating (1) and (2) until determining that the load is no longer connected to the power supply device.

A driving device comprises a first transistor (B13), a second transistor (B14), and a resistance element. The first transistor (B13) has one terminal receiving a pulsed current and a control terminal connected to the one terminal. The second transistor (B14) has one terminal connected to at least one load, the other terminal connected to a reference potential together with the other terminal of the first transistor (B13), and a control terminal connected to the control terminal of the first transistor (B13). The resistance element is connected between the control terminal of the first transistor (B13) and the other terminal of the first transistor (B13).

A driving device comprises a first transistor (B13), a second transistor (B14), and a resistance element. The first transistor (B13) has one terminal receiving a pulsed current and a control terminal connected to the one terminal. The second transistor (B14) has one terminal connected to at least one load, the other terminal connected to a reference potential together with the other terminal of the first transistor (B13), and a control terminal connected to the control terminal of the first transistor (B13). The resistance element is connected between the control terminal of the first transistor (B13) and the other terminal of the first transistor (B13).

This invention provides a system and process to optimize photovoltaic (PV), grid, and other electricity in powering an electric water heater. The system comprises a photovoltaic (PV) controller coupled to a plurality of power input sources and heating elements wherein the heating elements immersed in an electric immersion heater water tank. The PV controller is further configured with control circuitry having an operating efficiency routine calculating optimal use cases from a variety of installation parameters and learned parameters to determine the appropriate power input source and switch between sources accordingly.

This invention provides a system and process to optimize photovoltaic (PV), grid, and other electricity in powering an electric water heater. The system comprises a photovoltaic (PV) controller coupled to a plurality of power input sources and heating elements wherein the heating elements immersed in an electric immersion heater water tank. The PV controller is further configured with control circuitry having an operating efficiency routine calculating optimal use cases from a variety of installation parameters and learned parameters to determine the appropriate power input source and switch between sources accordingly.