| 摘要 |
<p>A voltage regulator comprising at least first and second regulator elements (302, 304) connected between an output node (108) and a supply rail (102) for supplying load current (i_load) to a load (110) connected to the output node. The voltage regulator comprises first and second control modules (306, 308) for controlling the first and second regulator elements (302, 304) respectively to maintain the output node (108) at a regulated voltage in the presence of a variable impedance presented by the load (110) to the output node, the second regulator element (304) and the second control module (308) having a smaller load current capacity and smaller leakage current than the first regulator element (302) and the first control module (306). The voltage regulator also comprises a mode selector (310) for de-activating the first regulator element (302) and the first control module (306) in a first operational mode in response to a load current (i_load) less than a threshold value, for activating the first regulator element (302) and the first control module (306) in a second operational mode in response to a load current (i_load) greater than a threshold value, and an additional current-carrying path (312) for carrying supplementary current (i_boost) for the first control module (306) at least during a transition from the first operational mode to the second operational mode.</p> |
