Design of Push-Pull Dynamic Leaker Circuit for a Low Power Embedded Voltage Regulator

摘要

A novel technique of fast transient response for a low power voltage regulator for embedded applications has been presented in this paper. Push-pull dynamic leaker circuit has been used to get fast transient response. Push-pull dynamic leaker paths help to reduce both peaks and dips at the output due to momentary load transients or line transients. Leaker paths work either as a source or sink path for the load current depending upon the requirement of load current and supply voltage. Introduction of push pull dynamic leaker paths in parallel to a linear regulator also helps to drastically reduce settling time with marginal increment of static power loss. Proposed dynamic leaker circuit is implemented with current control voltage regulator in 0.18μm CMOS process for 3.3V to 1.3SV conversion and tested in silicon. Measurement result shows, 10% settling time of the regulator is less than 200ns, whereas peak at the output is 1.49V and dips at the output is 1.04V due to 15mA load transient in 1nS.