Patent ID: 8618780

Claim:
A multimode voltage regulator, comprising an output for providing a regulator output voltage and an output current to a load; a low power reference voltage source having: a reference voltage output providing said regulator output voltage, when in a first low power mode an absolute value of said output current is not greater than a threshold value; a buffer amplifier having a buffer amplifier output providing said regulator output voltage, when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value; a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to said reference voltage output when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for less than a predefine time; and a second bias voltage input being connected in a third normal mode to a bias voltage output of a bias voltage source when said absolute value of said output current is greater than said threshold value for at least said predefined time; and a mode controller for automatically determining said absolute value of said output current and automatically switching from said first low power mode to said second low power mode.