초록 ▼

A regulator system includes first and second voltage sensing circuits coupled to a voltage generator control circuit. The first and second voltage sensing circuits are configured to monitor the voltage generated by the on-chip voltage generator (i.e., the on-chip supply voltage) and detect when the

A regulator system includes first and second voltage sensing circuits coupled to a voltage generator control circuit. The first and second voltage sensing circuits are configured to monitor the voltage generated by the on-chip voltage generator (i.e., the on-chip supply voltage) and detect when the on-chip supply voltage reaches thresholds that are predetermined to define a desired range of the on-chip supply voltage. The voltage generator control circuit receives voltage sense signals from the voltage sense circuits and, in response, asserts or de-asserts a control signal received by the on-chip voltage generator so as to activate or de-activate the on-chip voltage generator to maintain the on-chip supply voltage within the desired range. The voltage generator control circuit introduces hysteresis in the generation of the control signal provided to the on-chip voltage generator. As a result of this hysteresis, once the on-chip voltage generator is activated, the voltage generator control circuit only de-activates the on-chip voltage generator when the on-chip supply voltage reaches the higher threshold. Conversely, once the on-chip voltage generator is de-activated, the voltage generator control circuit only activates the on-chip voltage generator when the on-chip supply voltage reaches the lower threshold.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A circuit for activating an on-chip voltage generator, the on-chip voltage generator configured to generate an on-chip supply voltage, the circuit comprising:a first voltage sense circuit configured to monitor the on-chip supply voltage, wherein the first voltage sense circuit is c

[ We claim:] [1.] A circuit for activating an on-chip voltage generator, the on-chip voltage generator configured to generate an on-chip supply voltage, the circuit comprising:a first voltage sense circuit configured to monitor the on-chip supply voltage, wherein the first voltage sense circuit is configured to detect an occurrence of the on-chip supply voltage being substantially equal to a first threshold;a second voltage sense circuit configured to monitor the on-chip supply voltage, wherein the second voltage sense circuit is configured to detect an occurrence of the on-chip supply voltage being substantially equal to a second threshold, the second threshold having a value different from the value of the first threshold; anda logic circuit coupled to the on-chip voltage generator and the first and second voltage sense circuits, wherein the logic circuit is configured to selectively activate and de-activate the on-chip voltage generator so as to maintain the on-chip supply voltage within a range defined by the first and second thresholds so that in normal operation all transitions between activation and de-activation of the on-chip voltage generator are in response to a detection of an occurrence of the first or second threshold,wherein said all transitions occur between the detections of said first and second thresholds.