Abstract
In this paper, a low power current protection circuit implemented in a low dropout regulator (LDO) is presented. The proposed circuit, designed in a 0.35μm CMOS process, provides a precise limiting current as well as holding current with low dependency on both supply voltage and regulator output voltage. The experimental results showed that the proposed circuit is operable in the regulator output voltage range from VOUT=1.2V to VOUT=3.6V and supply voltage range from VDD=VOUT+0.5V to VDD=5.6V. Since the proposed circuit is composed of few simple basic circuits such as a comparator and a Schmitt Trigger, it has a low current consumption of less than ISS=0.82μA at a load current of ILOAD=200mA. This makes the circuit suitable for low power and low voltage LDO design.
