Patent 7119999 was granted and assigned to Texas Instruments on October, 2006 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
An apparatus includes a blocking N-channel MOS (LDMOS) transistor that prevents current flow when the supply connection is reversed. When connected properly, the body diode conducts to provide a start-up function. A bias generator is employed to enable the low drop-out voltage function, allowing the output voltage to be very close to supply.