Adjustable low current in a sensor network

A sensor node coupled to a communication interface bus, the sensor node comprising:

• a receiver circuit having a terminal operable to receive a first supply current and a control input;
• a supply circuit having a first terminal operable to receive a second supply current, a second terminal coupled to a power supply terminal, a control input, and an output operable to provide an operating voltage;
• and
• a control circuit having an input coupled to the output of the supply circuit, a first output coupled to the control input of the receiver circuit operable to provide a first control signal, and a second output coupled to the control input of the supply circuit operable to provide a second control signal;
• wherein the first control signal enables the receiver circuit when the control circuit is operating in a first mode and disables the receiver circuit when the control circuit is operating in a second mode;
• and
• wherein the supply circuit is configured to adjust a voltage at output in response to the second control signal.

A method of operating a sensor node coupled to a communication interface bus, the method comprising:

• receiving a first supply current at a first terminal of a receiver circuit;
• receiving a second supply current at a first terminal of a supply circuit wherein the supply circuit comprises a second terminal coupled to a power supply terminal, a control input, and an output;
• providing an operating voltage at the output of the supply circuit;
• and
• providing a first control signal and a second control signal using a control circuit, the control circuit having an input coupled to the output of the supply circuit, and a second output coupled to the control input of the supply circuit operable to provide a second control signal, wherein the first control signal enables the receiver circuit when the control circuit is operating in a first mode and disables the receiver circuit when the control circuit is operating in a second mode;
• and
• adjusting the operating voltage at the output of the supply circuit in response to the second control signal.