Voltage Regulator IP Core

Most integrated chips need to be supplied with a constant stream of voltage using which they carry out basic operations. Unfortunately, different components of your circuit will require different levels of voltage. So, do you have to go around connecting each component to a different power source to fulfil its operating voltage requirements? With an appropriately placed voltage regulator IP core, you do not have to go through the hassle at all.

The primary job of a voltage regulator IP core is to maintain a constant voltage level in the system that it is being employed in. This simple device can be used to regulate AC as well as DC voltages. A typical circuit that regulates voltage for your electronic device would be pretty complex and consist of a number of different components that ensure that you can increase and decrease the voltage level as cleanly as possible.

You would have a transistor that would be connected to a stable reference that would allow it to produce a constant voltage as needed. It would also be connected to an amplifier that would eliminate any possible error by comparing the output voltage with the reference range. The difference between the two would be calculated and fed back into the system to enable the transistor to make the necessary changes and bring the difference back down to zero. This means that a voltage regulator also employs negative feedback in its design to make its performance more accurate.

How Does a Voltage Regulator IP Core Work?

There are two ways that a voltage regulator circuit would be able to provide a constant output voltage.

The first method is the linear regulation of voltage. In a linear voltage regulation system, the resistance in the system is adjusted with the help of a feedback loop which allows the circuit to keep track of the changes taking place in the load and the input of the device. As a result of this feedback, it is able to keep the output voltage maintained at a constant level. These are preferred in low voltage applications.

On the other hand, we have switching regulators. These are relatively more complex systems that also tend to be more efficient in their power conversion function. These include the likes of step up and step down converters.

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