Patent ID: 7656735

Claim:
A method of operating a removable, nonvolatile memory card having a memory die and a controller die, comprising: receiving an input voltage from a host; supplying the input voltage to the controller die; on the removable, non-volatile memory card, providing a single dedicated voltage regulation die separate from the memory die and the controller die and including a voltage regulation circuit that is capable of receiving plural distinct input voltage levels in the group of 1.8V, 3.3V, and between 3.3V and 3.6V from the host and regardless of which one of the plural distinct input voltage levels in the group is supplied by the host, for supplying the same output voltage level of 3.3V to a memory die by: if the input voltage is at 3.3V, then supplying the input voltage to a memory die; if the input voltage is 1.8V, then converting the input voltage to an output voltage of 3.3V in the voltage regulation circuit on the dedicated voltage regulation die and providing the output voltage to the memory die; if the input voltage is between 3.3V and 3.6V, then converting the input voltage to an output voltage of 3.3V in the voltage regulation circuit on the dedicated voltage regulation die and providing the output voltage to the memory die; wherein the voltage circuit is switched to operate as a charge pump when the input voltage is 1.8V and as a voltage follower when the input voltage is 3.3V; and wherein the memory die comprises a single power supply voltage level memory die.