Voltage References and Low Dropout Linear Regulators

Reference circuits and linear regulators actually have much in common. In fact, the latter could be functionally described as a reference circuit, but with greater current (or power) output. Accordingly, almost all of the specifications of the two circuit types have great commonality (even though the performance of references is usually tighter with regard to drift, accuracy, etc.). This chapter is broadly divided into an initial discussion on voltage references, followed by a concluding discussion on linear regulators, with emphasis on their low dropout operation for highest power efficiency.