Power supply with integrated voltage regulator and current limiter and method

A structure comprising:

• an input voltage node;
• an output voltage node;
• a p-type pass transistor comprising:
• an input terminal connected to the input voltage node;
• an output terminal connected to the output voltage node;
• and a control terminal;
• a voltage regulator adapted to output a first control voltage based on an output voltage at the output voltage node;
• a current limiter adapted to output a second control voltage;
• a comparator adapted to compare the first control voltage to the second control voltage and to output a select signal based on a difference between the first control voltage and the second control voltage, wherein the select signal has a first logic value when the first control voltage is greater than the second control voltage and a second logic value when the first control voltage is less than the second control voltage;
• and
• a switching circuit adapted to apply the first control voltage to the control terminal of the pass transistor when the select signal has the first logic value and to further apply the second control voltage to the control terminal of the p-type pass transistor when the select signal has the second logic value.

A method comprising:

• supplying, by a pass transistor of a power supply, power to an electric load, wherein the pass transistor comprises:
• an input terminal connected to an input voltage node;
• an output terminal connected to an output voltage node;
• and a control terminal;
• generating, by a voltage regulator of the power supply, a first control voltage based on an output voltage at the output voltage node;
• generating, by a current limiter of the power supply, a second control voltage;
• comparing, by a comparator of the power supply, the first control voltage to the second control voltage and outputting, by the comparator, a select signal based on a difference between the first control voltage and the second control voltage;
• and
• applying, by a switching circuit of the power supply based on the select signal, one of the first control voltage and the second control voltage to the control terminal of the pass transistor.