ST LD57100 Low-Dropout (LDO) Linear Voltage Regulators User Guide
- June 6, 2024
- ST
Table of Contents
- ST LD57100 Low-Dropout (LDO) Linear Voltage Regulators
- Low-dropout (LDO)
- HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT LDO FOR AN APPLICATION ?
- WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF LDOS ?
- HIGH PERFORMANCE SELECTION
- Ultra-low dropout
- Low quiescent current
- High PSRR/Low noise
- GLOSSARY
- Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
- Download This Manual (PDF format)
ST LD57100 Low-Dropout (LDO) Linear Voltage Regulators
Low-dropout (LDO)
linear voltage regulators are vital components in almost every circuit. They
provide engineers with a simple and design-effective method to reduce an input
voltage to one suitable for the application at hand.
This guide provides developers with
an overview of our most commonly used low-dropout regulators and will help
them identify the most appropriate solution for each type of application.
HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT LDO FOR AN APPLICATION ?
While some applications may require more attention to specific characteristics, a generalized approach to selecting an LDO is to match criteria in the following order:
- Input voltage range
- Output voltage (fixed or adjustable)
- Current requirement of the load
- Dropout voltage
- Output accuracy, in relation to line, load and temperature
- Power supply rejection ratio and output noise voltage
- Quiescent current
- Extra features (Enable, Soft-start, Power Good, etc.)
WHAT ARE THE MAIN BENEFITS OF LDOS ?
Ease of use
Using LDOs to regulate voltage is always easy. Adding an LDO to any circuit
requires only two capacitors and two resistors at the most. Most of ST’s LDOs
are available in fixed-output configurations, allowing the engineer to omit
the resistors, and some even operate without any external capacitors at all.
Small size
New technologies and innovative solutions allow for producing LDOs in smaller
sizes, such as our bumpless ST STAMP™
(0.47 x 0.47 mm) packages.
High PSRR and Low Noise
Devices for RF applications, data conversion, healthcare and signal processing
are often susceptible to noise. While the primary purpose of the LDO is to
regulate voltages, the way LDOs operate also makes them efficient at filtering
power supply noise, allowing noise-sensitive loads to perform optimally.
Low quiescent current
Low self-consumption is ideal for portable and battery-powered applications
where a small quiescent current can make a large difference in regards to the
application’s battery lifetime. ST’s ultra-low quiescence LDOs retain
excellent dynamic performance and are available in a variety of small
footprint packages..
Powering sensitive loads
The supply requirements of digital circuits, such as microprocessors, embedded
memories and digital signal processing devices, are constantly being pushed to
lower voltage levels, while the tolerances are tightening. Maintaining an
accurate output voltage, while also retaining other essential features is key
when selecting an LDO for these applications.
HIGH PERFORMANCE SELECTION
Ultra-low dropout
The dropout voltage is the defined minimum difference between the input
voltage and the desired output voltage at a specified output current. An
ultra-low-dropout voltage extends the lifetime of battery-operated devices, as
it allows the LDO to maintain a high current output even when the battery
voltage is reduced as the battery is discharged.
Furthermore, it reduces power dissipation.
LD57100
LDL112
LD39200
LD39115J
LDCL015
Low quiescent current
Quiescent current is the current used to power an LDO’s internal circuitry. LDOs with low quiescent current are essential for maintaining efficient operation and prolonging battery life, and are a natural choice for applications with extended standby times.
STLQ50/015/020
ST715/LDK715
ST730/ST732
LD39100/LD49100
LD39115J
LDLN025
High PSRR/Low noise
PSRR is a measure of the LDO’s ability to endure a changing input voltage
without letting it affect the output, while low noise LDOs are designed to
minimize the intrinsic noise.
Maintaining the expected output voltage with high precision and low noise is
vital when powering sensitive devices or when the supply voltage is derived
from a noisy source.
LDLN015/025/030
LD39015/020/030
LD56020
LD3985
LDBL20
LD59015
GLOSSARY
Accuracy –
The maximum deviation from the specified output. Nominal accuracy can be
affected by factors such as low tolerance components, temperature and load
variations. Commonly cited across temperature ranges, it is sometimes
specified as Tolerance.
AEC-Q100
– Any integrated circuit needs to be tested for compliance with the failure
modes/stress tests as described in AEC-Q100 before it can be marketed as an
automotive-grade device.
Bias voltage (Vbias)
– An external power rail required by some LDOs. Associated with low dropout
voltages and excellent noise characteristics.
Dropout voltage
– The dropout voltage is a measure of the smallest difference between input
and output voltages. A lower dropout allows for more effective regulation and
can be used to prolong the lifetime of battery-powered devices.
Enable/Inhibit (EN/INH )
– Externally enabling (or disabling) the internal circuitry when the regulator
isn’t required reduces the consumed current and can prolong battery lifetime.
Feedback network
– Resistors are used to set the desired output voltage in a linear
regulator. In fixed output regulators, these are already embedded inside the
chip itself.
Line Regulation
– Line regulation describes how well the regulator can maintain its
intended output voltage given a change in the input voltage.
Load Regulation
– Load regulation describes the regulator’s ability to maintain the specified
output given a change in the load (output) conditions.
Noise
– Specifically the noise generated by the LDO’s internal bandgap reference,
which is amplified in the feedback network. Good noise figures are critical in
circuits for wireless communication or that rely on high-speed clock signals.
Package
– The packaging size is a compromise between size and thermal properties. The
smaller a package, the more susceptible it is to self-heating. Some larger
packages have exposed metal pads to facilitate thermal dissipation into the
PCB, allowing for improved passive cooling.
Pass Element
– The voltage regulation is performed by applying a variable voltage to a
MOSFET gate, making it act in a similar way to a variable resistor. This
transistor is commonly referred to as the Pass Element.
Power Dissipation
– When a voltage is regulated, excess power is dissipated as heat. As heat can
affect the LDO and other parts negatively, and eventually cause a malfunction
or thermal shutdown, thermal management is important.
Power Good (PG)
– This signal indicates that the output is in regulation. It is useful for
power-sequencing, reset triggering, and more.
PSRR
– Power Supply Rejection Ratio, measure of the LDO’s ability to filter out
noisy ripples in the input voltage. It is always specified in dB, and always
over a range of frequencies.
Quiescent current
– The current consumed by the regulator to operate the internal circuitry.
Lowering the quiescent current is especially important for battery-powered
solutions.
Soft Start (SS)
– Soft Start is a controlled gradual increase of the power throughput, which
prevents large inrush currents that can overload the power supply.
Thermal shutdown
– A protective function that shuts down the device to prevent damage from
overheating.
Transient response
– A description of the regulator’s ability to resist fast changes, known as
transients, in the load and supply conditions. See Line Transient and Load
Transient.
For more information visit us on www.st.com/ldo
For more information on ST products and solutions, visit www.st.com
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