A low dropout regulator includes a proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) circuit, an amplification circuit, and an output circuit. The PTAT circuit outputs one current, and the amplification circuit outputs one or more currents. The one or more currents are outputted by the amplification circuit based on collector-emitter voltages associated with transistors of the PTAT circuit. Alternatively, the one or more currents are outputted by the amplification circuit based on the current outputted by the PTAT circuit and the collector-emitter voltages associated with the transistors of the PTAT circuit. The output circuit generates one or more output voltages based on at least one of a base-emitter voltage associated with a transistor of the PTAT circuit and a current of the one or more currents outputted by the amplification circuit.

A low dropout regulator includes a proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) circuit, an amplification circuit, and an output circuit. The PTAT circuit outputs one current, and the amplification circuit outputs one or more currents. The one or more currents are outputted by the amplification circuit based on collector-emitter voltages associated with transistors of the PTAT circuit. Alternatively, the one or more currents are outputted by the amplification circuit based on the current outputted by the PTAT circuit and the collector-emitter voltages associated with the transistors of the PTAT circuit. The output circuit generates one or more output voltages based on at least one of a base-emitter voltage associated with a transistor of the PTAT circuit and a current of the one or more currents outputted by the amplification circuit.

A current booster circuit, which can be coupled between a gate driver and a power switch, includes controlled current sources and current sensors to provide a scaled copy of the booster input current at the booster output while operating in a current-gain mode during on-to-off or off-to-on switching periods. During switched-on or switched-off periods, the booster can pull the output to the high or low rail, respectively, through low-impedance circuitry to hold the switch on or off. A voltage and/or current feedback path between the booster output and the booster input permits the booster to control the voltage input during switching operation. The current booster devices and methods can be compatible with both smart and conventional gate drivers of either the voltage-driven or current-driven variety.

A current booster circuit, which can be coupled between a gate driver and a power switch, includes controlled current sources and current sensors to provide a scaled copy of the booster input current at the booster output while operating in a current-gain mode during on-to-off or off-to-on switching periods. During switched-on or switched-off periods, the booster can pull the output to the high or low rail, respectively, through low-impedance circuitry to hold the switch on or off. A voltage and/or current feedback path between the booster output and the booster input permits the booster to control the voltage input during switching operation. The current booster devices and methods can be compatible with both smart and conventional gate drivers of either the voltage-driven or current-driven variety.

Voltage regulation schemes for powering multiple circuit blocks are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a front end system includes a reference voltage circuit that receives power from a power supply voltage and generates a reference voltage, a group of circuit blocks each selectively enabled by a corresponding one of a group of enable signals, and a programmable voltage regulator that generates a programmable regulated voltage based on the reference voltage and provides the programmable regulated voltage to the circuit blocks. The programmable regulated voltage has a voltage level that changes based on a selection of the circuit blocks that are enabled by the enable signals.

Techniques and mechanisms for determining an operational mode of a voltage regulator. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) die is coupled to receive power from a voltage regulator (VR) via a power delivery network (PDN) which comprises circuitry in or on a substrate, such as that of a printed circuit board. The IC die receives from the substrate information indicating a characteristic of a parasitic impedance at the substrate. Based on the information, a controller unit at the IC die selects one of multiple VR modes which each correspond to a respective one of different parasitic impedance characteristics. The controller then signals the VR to provide the selected mode. In an embodiment one of the VR modes corresponds to a relatively high impedance, and also corresponds to a relatively stable sensitivity function in a frequency range above a control bandwidth.

Techniques and mechanisms for determining an operational mode of a voltage regulator. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) die is coupled to receive power from a voltage regulator (VR) via a power delivery network (PDN) which comprises circuitry in or on a substrate, such as that of a printed circuit board. The IC die receives from the substrate information indicating a characteristic of a parasitic impedance at the substrate. Based on the information, a controller unit at the IC die selects one of multiple VR modes which each correspond to a respective one of different parasitic impedance characteristics. The controller then signals the VR to provide the selected mode. In an embodiment one of the VR modes corresponds to a relatively high impedance, and also corresponds to a relatively stable sensitivity function in a frequency range above a control bandwidth.

In an embodiment, a linear voltage regulator includes: an output transistor having a first current path terminal configured to be coupled to a load, and a second current path terminal coupled to a first supply terminal, where the output transistor is configured to provide, at the first current path terminal, a regulated output voltage; a voltage source circuit configured to provide, in an open loop manner, a first voltage to a control terminal of the output transistor; and a feedback loop coupled between the first current path terminal of the output transistor and the control terminal of the output transistor, the feedback loop including a sense transistor having a first current path terminal coupled to the first current path terminal of the output transistor.

In an embodiment, a linear voltage regulator includes: an output transistor having a first current path terminal configured to be coupled to a load, and a second current path terminal coupled to a first supply terminal, where the output transistor is configured to provide, at the first current path terminal, a regulated output voltage; a voltage source circuit configured to provide, in an open loop manner, a first voltage to a control terminal of the output transistor; and a feedback loop coupled between the first current path terminal of the output transistor and the control terminal of the output transistor, the feedback loop including a sense transistor having a first current path terminal coupled to the first current path terminal of the output transistor.

A low-dropout regulator having an output current branch being arranged between a supply line to provide a supply potential and an output node to provide a regulated output voltage. The output current branch includes an output driver to provide an output current at the output node. The output driver has a control connection to apply a control voltage to operate the output driver with a different conductivity in dependence on the control voltage. The LDO includes an input amplifier stage to provide the control voltage to the control connection of the output driver. The input amplifier stage is configured to provide the control voltage with a different slew rate in dependence on an increase or decrease of the output current.