Patent ID: 8836303

Claim:
An active leakage consuming module configured for being connected to a Low Drop-Out (LDO) regulator that is external to said active leakage consuming module and comprises an output stage comprising a switch and a pull-down path, said switch having a first main terminal connected to a first terminal of a power supply unit through the pull-down path, a second main terminal connected to a second terminal of the power supply unit, and a control terminal, wherein a node between the switch and the pull-down path forms an output terminal of the LDO regulator, the active leakage consuming module comprising: a leakage current path having a first terminal configured to be connected to the first terminal of the power supply unit, and a second terminal configured to be connected to the output terminal of the LDO regulator; a first controller configured to be connected to the control terminal of the switch, and configured to turn off the switch before the leakage current path is activated, when the current in the first main terminal of the switch is decreasing during an operation of the LDO regulator provided with the active leakage consuming module; and a second controller configured to activate the leakage current path only after the switch has been turned off during said operation of the LDO regulator provided with the active leakage consuming module, and then to regulate a current conducted by the leakage current path.