Switched-mode power supply having multiple operating phases and a stepped reference voltage

An electronic device, comprising:

• a switched-mode power supply having a first operating phase during which an output node of the switched-mode power supply is coupled to a source of a first voltage by a switch controlled in an on state, followed by a second operating phase during which the output node of the switched-mode power supply is controlled to be in a high impedance state;
• a capacitor connected to the output node of the switched-mode power supply, wherein the capacitor is charged during the first operating phase and is at least partially discharged into a load during the second operating phase;
• and
• a circuit configured to change a reference voltage for switched-mode power supply operation while in the first operating phase from an initial value to a final value in steps over a time period including at least one intermediate value, and wherein a step change in the reference voltage from said at least one intermediate value is made only after change in a voltage at the output node reaches said at least one intermediate value.