Micropower Regulator for Handhelds Offers Very Low Output Noise

By Mark Long -- 6/2/2003

Linear Technology Corporation (LTC) has introduced a very low dropout (VLDO) micro-power linear regulator for regulating the very small voltage differentials frequently found in handheld applications.

Housed in ThinSOT packaging, the LTC1844 features the ability to operate from input voltages as low as 1.6V. At 50mA of continuous output current, dropout voltage is only 30mV, rising to 90mV at 150mA. In addition, the device features a low output noise of just 30uVRMS over a 10Hz to 100kHz bandwidth.

The device output voltage accuracy is rated at within +1.75% over the full temperature, voltage, and current ranges. Internal protection circuitry is also on tap that includes: reverse-battery protection, current limiting, thermal limiting, and reverse-current protection. In addition, the LTC1844's supply current of only 40uA (operating) and 10nA (in shutdown) make it an excellent choice for battery-powered applications that require optimum battery life.

Housed in low profile (<1mm) 5-lead ThinSOT packaging, the LTC1844 is available with designers choice of an adjustable output, or with fixed 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 2.8V, 3.3V outputs. Pricing starts at $1.15 and $1.35 each in 1K quantities.

© 2009, Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved.