Method and apparatus for reducing the power consumption of a voltage regulator

A voltage regulator comprising:

• an output stage for providing an output voltage;
• a first switch for charging said output stage;
• a second switch for discharging said output stage;
• an input terminal for receiving a control signal;
• and
• means for preventing said second switch from closing when said control signal is asserted.

A voltage regulator comprising:

• a first input voltage terminal;
• a second input voltage terminal;
• an output voltage terminal for providing an output voltage;
• an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal being coupled to said output voltage terminal;
• a first switch coupled between said first input voltage terminal and said second terminal of said inductor;
• a second switch coupled between said second input voltage terminal and said second terminal of said inductor;
• an input signal terminal for receiving a control signal;
• and
• a third switch for preventing said second switch from closing when said control signal is asserted.

A voltage regulator comprising:

• a first input voltage terminal;
• a second input voltage terminal;
• an output voltage terminal for providing an output voltage;
• an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal being coupled to said output voltage terminal;
• a first switch coupled between said first input voltage terminal and said second terminal of said inductor;
• a second switch coupled between said second input voltage terminal and said second terminal of said inductor;
• an input signal terminal for receiving a control signal;
• and
• means for preventing said second switch from closing when said control signal is asserted.

An electronic system comprising:

• a first electronic device having an input voltage terminal for receiving a supply voltage;
• a second electronic device having an output signal terminal for providing a control signal to indicate a condition of said first electronic;
• and
• a voltage regulator comprising:
• an output stage for providing said supply voltage to said first electronic device;
• a first switch for charging said output stage;
• a second switch for discharging said output stage;
• an input signal terminal for receiving said control signal;
• and
• a third switch for preventing said second switch from closing when said control signal is asserted.

An electronic system comprising:

• an electronic device comprising:
• an input voltage terminal for receiving a supply voltage;
• and
• an output signal terminal for providing a control signal to indicate a condition of said electronic device;
• and
• a voltage regulator comprising:
• an output stage for providing said supply voltage to said electronic device;
• a first switch for charging said output stage;
• a second switch for discharging said output stage;
• an input signal terminal for receiving said control signal;
• and
• a third switch for preventing said second switch from closing when said control signal is asserted.