Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
VOLTAGE REGULATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A MULTI-USE PIN

Abstract:

A voltage regulation system can include a voltage regulator, a voltage regulation controller electrically coupled to the voltage regulator, and a multi-use pin configured to be electrically coupled to external circuits (e.g., an external ground, an external compensation circuit, a programmable resistor, an external reference voltage). The voltage regulation system can also include connection devices (e.g., multiple switches, such as transistor switches) configured to be in different connection device configurations, where each one of the connection device configurations enables an associated one of the external circuits via the multi-use pin. The voltage regulation system can also include a smart pin manager configured to determine when the multi-use pin is electrically coupled to one of the external circuits, and to cause the connection devices to be in one of the connection device configurations to enable the associated external circuit based upon the determination.