A method of regulating an output voltage by utilizing a switching
regulator, where the switching regulator includes a high side switch, a
low side switch having an active diode, a controller coupled to the high
side switch and the low side switch, and a current measuring circuit
coupled to the high side switch. The method includes the steps of:
measuring the output voltage and if the output voltage is below a desired
level, activating the high side switch so as to provide current to a load
capacitor via a load inductor, if the voltage is above the desired level,
activating the low side switch so as to sink current from the load
capacitor via the load inductor; and utilizing the current measuring
circuit to measure the current flowing through the high side switch in
either a positive direction or a negative direction, where the controller
is operable for controlling the current measuring circuit and disabling
active components contained in the current measuring circuit and the
active diode when the active components are not utilized during operation
of the switching regulator so as to reduce operational power requirements
of the switching regulator.