Programmable low dropout voltage regulator

We present a design for a low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator is presented using floating-gate techniques to set the regulator output voltage and the ac and dc operating points of the circuit. In comparison with conventional topologies, this approach does not require a feedback resistive divider or a bandgap reference to generate a temperature independent voltage. The use of floating-gates allows the regulator output to be programmed to a desired mode of operation and then stored in a non-volatile manner. Experimental results are presented from a prototype circuit fabricated in MOSIS; this circuit has been functional in 2.0μm, 1.2μm, and 0.5μm processes available through MOSIS.