Sink/source output stage with operating point current control circuit for fast transient loading

A voltage regulator, comprising

• an amplification stage configured to control a voltage level of a first gain node and of a second gain node in response to an input voltage at an input node, in order to activate a first and a second output stage, respectively;
• wherein the second gain node is different from the first gain node;
• the first output stage configured to source a current at an output node of the voltage regulator from a first potential, in dependence of the voltage level of the first gain node;
• wherein the first output stage is activated if the current which is sourced at the output node exceeds a pre-determined first maintenance current;
• the second output stage configured to sink a current at the output node to a second potential, in dependence of the voltage level of the second gain node;
• wherein the first potential is different from the second potential;
• wherein the second output stage is activated if the current which is sunk at the output node exceeds a pre-determined second maintenance current;
• and
• a first operating point control circuit configured to set the voltage level of the first gain node such that the first maintenance current is sourced by the first output stage, when the second output stage is activated;
• and/or
• a second operating point control circuit configured to set the voltage level of the second gain node such that the second maintenance current is sunk by the second output stage, when the first output stage is activated,
• wherein
• the second operating point control circuit comprises a second reference current source configured to provide a second reference current;
• the second operating point control circuit comprises a second reference transistor arranged in series with the second reference current source;
• the second reference transistor is controlled based on a feedback current through the second output stage;
• a midpoint between the second reference current source and the second reference transistor is coupled to a gate of a clamp transistor configured to set the level of the second gain node;
• and
• the second maintenance current is dependent on the second reference current;
• wherein the amplification stage is configured to activate the first output stage and the second output stage in a mutually exclusive manner.