A versatile low-dropout voltage regulator for automotive applications

In an effort to build versatile automotive Micro Controller Units (MCU's), power management has been integrated into the last generation SoC, with the additional benefits of simplifying board design and lowering the cost of bill of materials. In this paper we present a novel architecture for a 5 V to 3.3 V linear voltage regulator which can operate in dual mode: regulator controller, when an external ballast transistor is present; regulator mode, when a compensating capacitor is present. The circuit is being fabricated in CMOS 55 nm technology with non volatile memory process extension, occupies 0.05 mm2, and dissipates 1 mA current plus load.