VLDO regulator

Linear Technology has announced an I-grade version of the LT3020 LDO for industrial and automotive applications. The device is a 100 mA VLDO (very low dropout voltage regulator) with input voltage capability down to 0.9 V and a low dropout voltage of 150 mV at full load.

Output voltages include 1.2, 1.5 and 1.8 fixed and an adjustable option ranging from 0.2 to 9.5 V. The I-grade guarantees operation from -40 to +125°C, enabling a variety of applications in automotive, industrial and instrumentation markets.

In handheld products, the device's minimum input voltage of 0.9 enables it to operate across the entire voltage range of both single cell alkaline and NiMH (1.4 to 0.9 V) batteries and to drive low-voltage microcontroller and microprocessor cores.

Its 150 mV dropout voltage optimises battery run time in single cell applications with a low VIN to VOUT differential. Additionally, it offers micropower operation with only 120 µA of quiescent current and less than 3 µA in shutdown.

The regulator optimises stability and transient response with low ESR ceramic output capacitors of 2.2 µF. Other features include flat typical line regulation and 0.2% typical load regulation from 1 to 100 mA of load. Internal protection circuitry includes reverse-battery protection, current limiting, thermal limiting with hysteresis and reverse-current protection.