Low-Dropout Regulator Acceleration Circuit for Faster Settling

The accelerator circuit performs preliminary action by detecting the voltage difference between the output node and reference node before the regulator completes settling, and actively drives the output voltage toward the target value. This preliminary intervention accelerates the settling process without requiring increased quiescent current throughout the entire operation, thereby reducing settling time while maintaining low power consumption.

The accelerator circuit dynamically adjusts its operation based on the voltage difference between nodes. During load state changes, when voltage deviation occurs, the accelerator circuit becomes active to quickly restore stability. During normal operation with minimal voltage difference, the accelerator circuit remains inactive or operates at minimal current. This dynamic behavior ensures load circuit stability during transitions while maintaining low power consumption during steady-state operation.

The accelerator circuit acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides active compensation during load state changes. Instead of using a passive capacitor that occupies physical space, the accelerator circuit uses controlled current sources and voltage detection to actively manage voltage deviations. This intermediary approach achieves the same stability improvement without increasing circuit area, as the accelerator circuit components are integrated into the existing regulator structure.