The disclosure relates to technology for power supply for a voltage controller oscillator (VCO). A peak detector circuit determines the amplitude of the output for the VCO, which is compared to a reference value in an automatic gain control loop. An input voltage for the VCO is determined based on a difference between the reference value and the output of the peak detector circuit. The peak detector circuit can be implemented using parasitic bipolar devices in an integrated circuit formed in a CMOS process.

An oscillator start-up circuit and methodology for oscillator start-up is disclosed. The circuit includes a reference bias switch coupled to a reference node and a load node of a transconductor of an oscillator. The reference bias switch is responsive to a control signal for start-up of the oscillator and operable to close at a first time prior to start-up of the oscillator to maintain a voltage at the reference node equal to a voltage at the load node prior to application of bias to the transconductor. The reference bias switch is further operable to open at a second time subsequent to the first time. In one embodiment, a separate reference bias voltage is applied to a reference node of the transconductor.

A voltage regulator includes a programming interface via which programming instructions may be applied to a processor of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator operates the processor according to the programming instructions to select one of multiple active internally-generated analog voltage levels to determine an output voltage level of the voltage regulator.

A voltage regulator includes a programming interface via which programming instructions may be applied to a processor of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator operates the processor according to the programming instructions to select one of multiple active internally-generated analog voltage levels to determine an output voltage level of the voltage regulator.

Disclosed examples include a transient event detector circuit to detect transient events in a switching converter, including a DLL circuit to detect changes in a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal used to operate a switching converter, and an output circuit to provide a status output signal in a first state when no transient event is detected, and to provide the status output signal in a second state indicating a transient event in the switching converter in response to a detected change in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.

Disclosed examples include a transient event detector circuit to detect transient events in a switching converter, including a DLL circuit to detect changes in a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal used to operate a switching converter, and an output circuit to provide a status output signal in a first state when no transient event is detected, and to provide the status output signal in a second state indicating a transient event in the switching converter in response to a detected change in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.

Disclosed examples include self-biased DLL circuits to generate a bias current signal proportional to a repetition frequency of a first signal representing continuous switching or discontinued switching operation of the DC-DC converter. The DLL circuit includes a monostable multivibrator to provide a pulse output signal in response to an edge of the first signal with a pulse duration set by a control current signal, a phase detector to provide output signals according to a phase difference between an edge of the pulse output signal and the first signal, and an output circuit to provide an output signal according to the phase detector output signals and according to an offset signal, to provide the bias current signal according to the output signal, and to provide the control current signal according to the output signal.

Disclosed examples include self-biased DLL circuits to generate a bias current signal proportional to a repetition frequency of a first signal representing continuous switching or discontinued switching operation of the DC-DC converter. The DLL circuit includes a monostable multivibrator to provide a pulse output signal in response to an edge of the first signal with a pulse duration set by a control current signal, a phase detector to provide output signals according to a phase difference between an edge of the pulse output signal and the first signal, and an output circuit to provide an output signal according to the phase detector output signals and according to an offset signal, to provide the bias current signal according to the output signal, and to provide the control current signal according to the output signal.

A power supply voltage is monitored by a monitoring circuit including a band gap voltage generator core including a first node and a second node. A control circuit connected to the first and second nodes is configured to deliver a control signal on a first output node having a first state when an increasing power supply voltage is below a first threshold and having a second state when increasing power supply voltage exceeds the first threshold. The first threshold is at least equal to the band gap voltage. An equalization circuit also connected to the first and second nodes with feedback to the band gap voltage generator core generates the bandgap voltage at a second output node. The control signal operates to control actuation of the equalization circuit.

A power supply voltage is monitored by a monitoring circuit including a band gap voltage generator core including a first node and a second node. A control circuit connected to the first and second nodes is configured to deliver a control signal on a first output node having a first state when an increasing power supply voltage is below a first threshold and having a second state when increasing power supply voltage exceeds the first threshold. The first threshold is at least equal to the band gap voltage. An equalization circuit also connected to the first and second nodes with feedback to the band gap voltage generator core generates the bandgap voltage at a second output node. The control signal operates to control actuation of the equalization circuit.