A switch-mode DC/DC converter (101) and linear low drop out (LIDO) DC/DC
regulator (105) are connected in parallel to drive a single load Both
regulators share a common voltage reference, feedback network (103),
input supply and output such that the regulated voltage is identical
during each mode of operation. During heavy loads the switch-mode
regulator (107) is in operation and the linear regulator is disabled for
the highest efficiency possible. Conversely at light loads the linear
regulator is in operation with the switch-mode regulator (107) disabled,
also maximizing the efficiency. Each regulator senses load current (131)
to automatically transition between the appropriate voltage regulators at
fixed load current levels. The presented invention also includes a make
before break transition scheme of the voltage regulators (103) to
minimize the voltage transients.