A simultaneous low quiescent current and high performance low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator is disclosed. In some implementations, the LDO voltage regulator includes a first and a second pass transistors configured to receive an input voltage (Vin). The LDO voltage regulator further includes an error amplifying module having a first output, a second output, a first input, and a second input. The error amplifying module can further include a first output stage configured to drive the gate of the first pass transistor during a high performance (HP) mode, and a second output stage configured to drive the gate of the second pass transistor during the HP mode and during a low power (LP) mode.

A simultaneous low quiescent current and high performance low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator is disclosed. In some implementations, the LDO voltage regulator includes a first and a second pass transistors configured to receive an input voltage (Vin). The LDO voltage regulator further includes an error amplifying module having a first output, a second output, a first input, and a second input. The error amplifying module can further include a first output stage configured to drive the gate of the first pass transistor during a high performance (HP) mode, and a second output stage configured to drive the gate of the second pass transistor during the HP mode and during a low power (LP) mode.

A voltage regulator can include an operational amplifier powered by a supply voltage and configured to generate a first gate voltage. The voltage regulator can also include a first transistor configured to receive the first gate voltage and generate a first driving voltage. The voltage regulator can further include a second transistor configured to receive a second gate voltage and generate a second driving voltage. The first gate voltage can be generated based on feedback provided to the operational amplifier. The second gate voltage can be generated from the first gate voltage.

A voltage regulator can include an operational amplifier powered by a supply voltage and configured to generate a first gate voltage. The voltage regulator can also include a first transistor configured to receive the first gate voltage and generate a first driving voltage. The voltage regulator can further include a second transistor configured to receive a second gate voltage and generate a second driving voltage. The first gate voltage can be generated based on feedback provided to the operational amplifier. The second gate voltage can be generated from the first gate voltage.

Apparatus and method for resisting side-channel attacks on cryptographic engines are described herein. An apparatus embodiment includes a cryptographic block coupled to a non-linear low-dropout voltage regulator (NL-LDO). The NL-LDO includes a scalable power train to provide a variable load current to the cryptographic block, randomization circuitry to generate randomized values for setting a plurality of parameters, and a controller to adjust the variable load current provided to the cryptographic block based on the parameters and the current voltage of the cryptographic block. The controller to cause a decrease in the variable load current when the current voltage is above a high voltage threshold, an increase in the variable load current when the current voltage is below a low voltage threshold; and a maximization of the variable load current when the current voltage is below an undervoltage threshold. The cryptographic block may be implemented with arithmetic transformations.

A method for regulating a voltage reference signal includes providing a first output current during a first interval and a boosted output current during a second interval to generate a low-dropout voltage reference signal based on a first power supply voltage, a second power supply voltage, and a reference voltage level. The method includes, during the second interval, compensating for a voltage drop caused by providing the boosted output current. The first output current may be provided in a first mode of operation. The boosted output current and voltage drop compensation may be provided in a boosted mode of operation.

A method for regulating a voltage reference signal includes providing a first output current during a first interval and a boosted output current during a second interval to generate a low-dropout voltage reference signal based on a first power supply voltage, a second power supply voltage, and a reference voltage level. The method includes, during the second interval, compensating for a voltage drop caused by providing the boosted output current. The first output current may be provided in a first mode of operation. The boosted output current and voltage drop compensation may be provided in a boosted mode of operation.

A reference voltage generation circuit may include: a first reference current path formed through a first node and a first transistor; a second reference current path formed through a second node and a second transistor; a first feedback loop configured to feed a first current back to the first and second reference current paths such that voltage levels of the first and second nodes are kept the same; and a second feedback loop configured to control the currents flowing through the first and second transistors according to a second current.

A reference voltage generation circuit may include: a first reference current path formed through a first node and a first transistor; a second reference current path formed through a second node and a second transistor; a first feedback loop configured to feed a first current back to the first and second reference current paths such that voltage levels of the first and second nodes are kept the same; and a second feedback loop configured to control the currents flowing through the first and second transistors according to a second current.

An AC-DC power converter can include an AC-DC converter stage, such as a flyback converter, configured to receive an AC input voltage and deliver a DC output voltage. The converter can include an active capacitor bank (ACB) coupled to the output of the AC-DC stage. The ACB can include an energy storage capacitor and a plurality of switching devices operable as a bidirectional converter to alternately charge the capacitor from the DC output or discharge the capacitor to maintain output DC voltage regulation. The converter can also include control circuitry responsive to the AC input voltage to selectively: (1) enable the AC-DC stage and operate the switching devices to charge the capacitor from the DC output voltage; (2) and disable the AC-DC stage and operate the switching devices to discharge the capacitor to maintain DC output voltage regulation.