Method and system for improving quiescent currents at low output current levels

An apparatus for reducing power requirements in a system that includes an application circuit, the apparatus comprising:

• an oscillator means, wherein the oscillator means is arranged to provide an oscillator signal when power is applied to the system;
• a regulator means, wherein the regulator means is arranged to provide an output current to an output terminal when enabled such that a voltage associated with the output terminal is regulated, wherein the regulator means is periodically enabled in response to the oscillator signal when power is applied to the system;
• and
• a charge storage means, wherein the charge storage means is arranged to store charge from the output current when the regulator means is enabled, and arranged to supply current to the application circuit when the regulator means is disabled.

A method for reducing power requirements in a system that includes an application circuit, the method comprising:

• generating a periodic signal when power is applied to the system and the system is in a standby operating mode, wherein the periodic signal has a duty cycle;
• enabling a regulator means in response to the periodic signal during a first portion of the duty cycle;
• disabling the regulator means in response to the periodic signal during a second portion of the duty cycle;
• regulating an output voltage across the application circuit when the voltage regulator means is enabled;
• storing charge when the regulator means is enabled to provide a stored charge;
• and
• supplying current to the application circuit from the stored charge when the regulator means is disabled.