Various embodiments relate to a protection circuit, comprising: a pad configured to input an external voltage from a connector; a first circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to receive a fast ramp-up over voltage at the pad; a second circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to receive a ramp-up over voltage at the pad; a third circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to output an over voltage detection signal when an over voltage is received at the pad, wherein the third circuit branch includes a voltage divider with a variable resistor with a variable voltage node and an enable switch; and a logic circuit including an enabling transistor configured to control the variable resistor and the enable switch.

An integrated circuit includes a first bandgap voltage reference sub-circuit configured to provide a first bandgap reference voltage; a second bandgap voltage reference sub-circuit configured to provide a second bandgap reference voltage; a voltage regulator sub-circuit configured to derive a first supply voltage using the first bandgap reference voltage and a second supply voltage using the second bandgap reference voltage; a bandgap comparator sub-circuit configured to derive a first internal voltage and a second internal voltage from the first supply voltage, wherein the first internal voltage decreases at a higher rate than the second internal voltage with respect to a decreasing first supply voltage, wherein the bandgap comparator sub-circuit is configured indicate which of the first and the second internal voltages is larger; and a comparator sub-circuit configured to indicate whether a difference between the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage is larger than a predefined threshold.

An integrated circuit includes a first bandgap voltage reference sub-circuit configured to provide a first bandgap reference voltage; a second bandgap voltage reference sub-circuit configured to provide a second bandgap reference voltage; a voltage regulator sub-circuit configured to derive a first supply voltage using the first bandgap reference voltage and a second supply voltage using the second bandgap reference voltage; a bandgap comparator sub-circuit configured to derive a first internal voltage and a second internal voltage from the first supply voltage, wherein the first internal voltage decreases at a higher rate than the second internal voltage with respect to a decreasing first supply voltage, wherein the bandgap comparator sub-circuit is configured indicate which of the first and the second internal voltages is larger; and a comparator sub-circuit configured to indicate whether a difference between the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage is larger than a predefined threshold.

A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.

A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.

An apparatus, system, and method for digital voltage regulator (DVR) control are provided. A DVR includes comparators configured to determine whether VLOAD drops below a gradual non-linear control (NLC) undershoot threshold voltage, rises above or drops below a reference voltage, and rises above a gradual NLC overshoot threshold voltage, respectively, power gates (PGs) configured to adjust VOUT based on a provided PG code; and VR controller circuitry comprising synchronous LC circuitry configured to increase or decrease, by a first increment, the PG code responsive to the VLOAD dropping below the reference voltage and rising above the reference voltage, and asynchronous gradual NLC circuitry configured to increase or decrease, by a second increment greater than the first increment and less than half a maximum PG code value, the PG code responsive to the VLOAD dropping below the gradual NLC undershoot threshold voltage and rising above the gradual NLC overshoot threshold voltage.

Monitoring for an over-voltage condition based on a regulated voltage is disclosed. A first terminal of a voltage regulator receives a first voltage which is based on a regulated voltage input to a controller. A second terminal of the voltage regulator receives a second voltage indicative of the voltage input to the controller. A determination is made whether the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference for a first time window and the controller is reset based on the determination that the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference. A determination is also made whether the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference for the second time window and the voltage regulator is powered down on based on the determination that the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference.

Monitoring for an over-voltage condition based on a regulated voltage is disclosed. A first terminal of a voltage regulator receives a first voltage which is based on a regulated voltage input to a controller. A second terminal of the voltage regulator receives a second voltage indicative of the voltage input to the controller. A determination is made whether the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference for a first time window and the controller is reset based on the determination that the first voltage exceeds the first voltage reference. A determination is also made whether the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference for the second time window and the voltage regulator is powered down on based on the determination that the second voltage exceeds the second voltage reference.

A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first amplifier input, a second amplifier input, an amplifier output, and an amplifier supply terminal. A controllable current source has a control terminal coupled to the amplifier output and has a current output coupled to the second amplifier input via a feedback path. A voltage dropout detector includes a voltage dropout detector input and a voltage dropout detector output. The voltage dropout detector input is coupled to the current output. A current bias boost circuit includes a current bias boost input and a current bias boost output. The current bias boost input is coupled to the voltage dropout detector output, and the current bias boost output is coupled to the amplifier supply terminal.

A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first amplifier input, a second amplifier input, an amplifier output, and an amplifier supply terminal. A controllable current source has a control terminal coupled to the amplifier output and has a current output coupled to the second amplifier input via a feedback path. A voltage dropout detector includes a voltage dropout detector input and a voltage dropout detector output. The voltage dropout detector input is coupled to the current output. A current bias boost circuit includes a current bias boost input and a current bias boost output. The current bias boost input is coupled to the voltage dropout detector output, and the current bias boost output is coupled to the amplifier supply terminal.