Analysis of Voltage-Regulator Operation

The performance of any regulator circuit is analyzed in terms of two parameters defined as the internal resistance and the regulation factor. These two parameters together with a simple equivalent circuit permit calculation of the regulator performance in conjunction with any load circuit and direct-current supply. Typical regulator circuits are analyzed to evaluate the two parameters and to show the effect of circuit changes in improving regulator performance. A compensated circuit is presented which makes it possible to provide an output voltage that is substantially independent of any input-voltage or load-current change.