SERIES REGULATOR CIRCUIT

Abstract

A series regulator circuit that enables detection of a voltage drop and reduces consumed current in a static state. A constant current source, which is connected to a power supply voltage line, is connected to a bipolar transistor. The bipolar transistor includes an emitter terminal and base terminal connected to a ground line via first and second resistors, respectively. The constant current source is connected to the source terminal of a PMOS transistor and the gate terminal of an NMOS transistor. The source terminal of the NMOS transistor is connected via third and fourth resistors to the base terminal of the bipolar transistor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description of the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a series regulator circuit according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the series regulator circuit shown in FIG. 1 during a normal operation;

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a voltage drop detection circuit in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a series regulator circuit in the prior art;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a further series regulator circuit in the prior art;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a series regulator circuit that can be contemplated from the prior art; and

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a further series regulator circuit that can be contemplated from the prior art.

Claims

1. A series regulator circuit comprising: a first transistor connected between a constant current source, which is connected to a power supply line, and a ground line;a second transistor connected between the power supply line and an output terminal;a first resistor, second resistor, and third resistor connected in series between the output terminal and the ground line;a comparator for comparing voltage at the output terminal with voltage at a reference node between the first and second resistors, wherein the first transistor has a control terminal connected between the second and third resistors, and the second transistor has a control terminal connected between the constant current source and the first transistor, the control terminal of the second transistor being connected to a switch element for supplying a trigger current when the voltage at the output terminal decreases; anda backup current supplying means for supplying the reference node with backup current corresponding to the trigger current.

2. The series regulator according to claim 1, further comprising: a compensation current supplying means for supplying a node between the constant current source and the first transistor with a compensation current corresponding to the trigger circuit.

3. The series regulator according to claim 2, further comprising a rectifying means arranged between the constant current source and the node connected to the compensation current supplying means.

4. The series regulator according to claim 2, wherein the backup current supplying means and the compensation current supplying means is formed by a current mirror circuit, and the compensation current supplying means supplies the backup current at a value that is greater by an inverse of the amplification of the backup current supplying means.

5. The series regulator according to claim 1, wherein the constant current source is a current source having temperature dependency that compensates for temperature dependency of the first transistor.