Abstract: A multimode voltage regulator includes a low current pass device and a high current pass device each adapted for connection between a power supply and a load; an error amplifier responsive to a difference between a reference voltage and a function of the voltage on the load to produce an error signal; and a low power driver responsive in a low load power mode to an error signal for operating the low current pass device to provide low power to the load and a high power driver responsive in a high load power mode to an error signal for operating the high current pass device to provide high power to the load for maintaining efficiency over high and low power load operation.

Abstract: A voltage regulator with dynamically boosted bias current includes a pass device for providing current to a load; an error circuit responsive to a difference between a predetermined reference voltage and a function of the voltage on the load to produce an error signal, a driver circuit responsive to the error signal for controlling the pass device to adjust the current to the load to reduce the error signal, the driver circuit including an amplifier responsive to the error signal for controlling the pass device, a bias current source for biasing the amplifier, a sensing circuit for sensing a portion of the error signal, a reference current source for providing a reference current, a second error circuit responsive to a difference between the portion of the error signal and the reference current to produce a second error current; and a boost circuit responsive to the second error signal to increase the bias current provided to the amplifier when the load demands more current.