US Patent 7492131 Variable drive switching regulator architecture

A circuit for use in powering a load having dynamic power needs. A variable strength controller is provided that has a feedback terminal, at least one p-terminal, and at least one n-terminal. The p− and n-terminals are each suitable for driving a respective semiconductor device to partially control the power to the load as the said feedback terminal receives a feedback signal representative of actual demand for the power by the load. A total of at least three p− and n-terminals are provided, and their selective employment thus collectively fully controls the power to the load.