Understanding How a

Voltage Regulator Works

General Design Fundamentals
A voltage regulator generates a fixed output voltage of
a preset magnitude that remains constant regardless of
changes to its input voltage or load conditions. There are two
types of voltage regulators: linear and switching.
What are some of the switching regulator topologies?
There are three common topologies: buck (step-down), boost
(step-up) and buck-boost(step-up/stepdown). Other topologies
include the flyback, SEPIC, Cuk, push-pull, forward, full-bridge,
and half-bridge topologies.

A linear regulator employs an active (BJT or MOSFET) pass
device (series or shunt) controlled by a high gain differential
amplifier. It compares the output voltage with a precise
reference voltage and adjusts the pass device to maintain a
constant output voltage.
A switching regulator converts the dc input voltage to a
switched voltage applied to a power MOSFET or BJT switch.
The filtered power switch output voltage is fed back to a
circuit that controls the power switch on and off times so
that the output voltage remains constant regardless of input
voltage or load current changes.
How does switching frequency impact regulator designs?
Higher switching frequencies mean the voltage regulator can
use smaller inductors and capacitors. It also means higher
switching losses and greater noise in the circuit.
What losses occur with the switching regulator?
Losses occur as a result of the power needed to turn the
MOSFET on and off, which are associated with the MOSFET’s
gate driver. Also, MOSFET power losses occur because it
takes a finite time to switch to/from the conduction to non-
conduction states. Losses are also due to the energy needed
to charge and discharge the capacitance of the MOSFET gate
between the threshold voltage and gate voltage.

VIN L1

>1.6V
CIN
<0.3V
VIN FREQ
6 7
<0.3V D1
+ SW
A 5 VOUT
VIN D + COUT
COMPARATOR CURRENT
VOUT SENSING
PWM
COMPARATOR DREF
ERROR
R1 FB AMPLIFIER
2
OSCILLATOR
R2 5𝛍A
VBG UVLO
COMPARATOR
COMP VIN DRIVER
1 S
Q N1
RCOMP UVLOREF R
CCOMP VSS TSD
COMPARATOR
5𝛍A TSENSE
SS BG BAND GAP
SOFT TREF RESET
8
START
CSS
AGND
1.1MΩ
ADP1612/ADP1613
AGND
3 4
EN GND
>1.6V

analog.com/power
What are the usual applications for linear and switching What design specifications are important for a voltage
regulators? regulator IC?
The linear regulator’s power dissipation is directly proportional Among the basic parameters are input voltage, output voltage,
to its output current for a given input and output voltage, and output current. Depending on the application, other
so typical efficiencies can be 50% or even lower. Using the parameters may be important, such as output ripple voltage,
optimum components, a switching regulator can achieve load transient response, output noise, and efficiency. Important
efficiencies in the 90% range. However, the noise output from a parameters for the linear regulator are dropout voltage, PSRR
linear regulator is much lower than a switching regulator with (power supply rejection ratio), and output noise.
the same output voltage and current requirements. Typically,
the switching regulator can drive higher current loads than a
linear regulator.
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Worldwide Headquarters
How does a switching regulator control its output? Analog Devices, Inc.
Switching regulators require a means to vary their output One Technology Way
voltage in response to input and output voltage changes. P.O. Box 9106
Norwood, MA 02062-9106
One approach is to use PWM that controls the input to the
U.S.A.
associated power switch, which controls its on and off time
Tel: 781.329.4700
(duty cycle). In operation, the regulator’s filtered output voltage (800.262.5643,
is fed back to the PWM controller to control the duty cycle. If U.S.A. only)
the filtered output tends to change, the feedback applied to the Fax: 781.461.3113
PWM controller varies the duty cycle to maintain a constant
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