Switching regulator based on load estimation and operating method thereof

A switching regulator that generates an output voltage from an input voltage, the switching regulator comprising:

• an inductor, including a first terminal and a second terminal, that passes an inductor current from the first terminal to the second terminal;
• a first switch that applies the input voltage to the first terminal when turned ON;
• a second switch that applies a ground potential to the first terminal when turned ON;
• a feedback circuit configured to estimate a load receiving the output voltage, detect when the inductor current reaches an upper bound or a lower bound, and adjust the lower bound based on the estimated load;
• and
• a switch driver configured to control the first switch and the second switch, in response to at least one feedback signal provided by the feedback circuit, such that the inductor current is maintained between the upper bound and the lower bound.

A method of converting an input voltage to an output voltage, the method comprising:

• detecting that generates a detection result in response to detecting an inductor current passing from a first terminal of an inductor to a second terminal of the inductor reaches an upper bound or a lower bound;
• controlling a voltage apparent at the first terminal in response to the detection result by at least one of:
• applying the input voltage to the first terminal;
• applying a ground potential to the first terminals;
• and
• allowing the first terminal to float;
• estimating a load in response to the inductor current;
• and
• adjusting the lower bound based on the estimated load.