Techniques for near zero light-load supply current in switching regulators
are described. In one aspect a voltage regulator operating a normal mode
is generating an error signal indicating a difference between the output
and the regulated voltage. A control signal, at least in part based on
the error signal, actively controls the output of the regulator. The
control signal is monitored over a period of time. The monitoring
activates a signal indicating when the control signal is inactive for the
period of time indicating a light-load condition. The voltage regulator
is then placed in a standby mode when the signal is active and the error
signal indicates the output is substantially at the regulated voltage.
Portions of the voltage regulator are then disabled permitting the
voltage regulator to operate at the minimum current draw.