Patent ID: 8334681

Claim:
A voltage regulator, comprising: a first output voltage regulation loop comprising a first switching means of a first conductivity type, a first resistive means and an amplifier, where an output of said amplifier is coupled to a control gate of said first switching means, where said first output voltage regulation loop controls an output voltage at a junction Vout between said first switching means and said first resistive means, said first output voltage regulation loop controlling small currents of said first switching means, where for said small currents a load transient response is guaranteed by said first switching means working as a source follower, where at large currents a voltage at said control gate of said first switching means is fixed and said first switching means acts as a current source only; a second output voltage regulation loop comprising a second switching means of a second conductivity type, said first resistive means, said amplifier, and a current sense buffer, where an output of said current sense buffer is coupled to a control gate of said second switching means, where said current sense buffer senses a current flowing in said first switching means and regulates a gate voltage of said control gate of said second switching means by passing control from said first output voltage regulation loop to said second output voltage regulation loop when said current flowing in said first switching means exceeds a specified threshold voltage, where said second output voltage regulation loop controls said output voltage at said junction Vout, said second output voltage regulation loop controlling said large currents of said second switching means; and a second resistive means coupled between a power supply return terminal and a first input of said amplifier.