A switching regulator of the step down variety is disclosed. First and second transistors coupled in parallel between a first supply node and a first output node are controlled by a driver stage to sequentially (1) switch on the first transistor, (2) switch on the second transistor, (3) switch off the second transistor, and (4) switch off the first transistor. The first transistor is smaller than the second transistor, such that the first transistor can switch faster than the second transistor, thereby reducing power dissipation during the time intervals in which both transistors are switching. Such a design allows an increase in switching frequency without the conventional increase in power dissipation, in return for a relatively inexpensive change of adding an additional, smaller transistor in parallel with a larger one, and associated circuitry in the driver stage. |