A step-down power supply receives an external power supply voltage and
supplies power at a reduced voltage from an output node to a load. The
power supply also receives a reference voltage and a control signal
indicating the whether the load is active or not. The reduced power
supply voltage is held equal to the reference voltage by adjustment of
the voltage at an internal control node. To prevent fluctuations in the
reduced power supply voltage at active-inactive transitions of the load,
the power supply includes circuitry for pulling the voltage at the
internal control node both up and down, circuitry for leaking current
from the output node to ground, circuitry for temporarily raising and
lowering the reference voltage, or a capacitor coupling the reference
voltage signal line to the control signal line.