LP38841-ADJ
LP38841-ADJ 0.8A Ultra Low Dropout Adjustable Linear Regulators Stable
with Ceramic Output Capacitors
Literature Number: SNVS305B
December 2006
LP38841-ADJ
0.8A Ultra Low Dropout Adjustable Linear Regulators
Stable with Ceramic Output Capacitors
General Description
The LP38841-ADJ is a high current, fast response regulator
which can maintain output voltage regulation with minimum
input to output voltage drop. Fabricated on a CMOS process,
the device operates from two input voltages: Vbias provides
voltage to drive the gate of the N-MOS power transistor, while
Vin is the input voltage which supplies power to the load. The
use of an external bias rail allows the part to operate from ultra
low Vin voltages. Unlike bipolar regulators, the CMOS archi-
tecture consumes extremely low quiescent current at any
output load current. The use of an N-MOS power transistor
results in wide bandwidth, yet minimum external capacitance
is required to maintain loop stability.
The fast transient response of these devices makes them
suitable for use in powering DSP, Microcontroller Core volt-
ages and Switch Mode Power Supply post regulators. The
parts are available in the PSOP package.
Dropout Voltage: 75 mV (typ) @ 0.8A load current.
Quiescent Current: 30 mA (typ) at full load.
Shutdown Current: 30 nA (typ) when S/D pin is low.
Precision Reference Voltage: 1.5% room temperature ac-
curacy.
Features
Ideal for conversion from 1.8V or 1.5V inputs
Designed for use with low ESR ceramic capacitors
Ultra low dropout voltage (75mV @ 0.8A typ)
0.56V to 1.5V adjustable output range
Load regulation of 0.1%/A (typ)
30nA quiescent current in shutdown (typ)
Low ground pin current at all loads
Over temperature/over current protection
Available in 8 lead PSOP package
−40°C to +125°C junction temperature range
UVLO disables output when VBIAS < 3.8V
Applications
ASIC Power Supplies In:
- Desktops, Notebooks, and Graphics Cards, Servers
- Gaming Set Top Boxes, Printers and Copiers
Server Core and I/O Supplies
DSP and FPGA Power Supplies
SMPS Post-Regulators
Typical Application Circuit
20117701
* Minimum value required if Tantalum capacitor is used (see Application Hints).
© 2007 National Semiconductor Corporation 201177 www.national.com
LP38841-ADJ 0.8A Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulators
Stable with Ceramic Output Capacitors
Connection Diagram
20117735
PSOP-8, Top View
Pin Description
Pin
Number
Pin
Name
Pin
Description
1 ADJ The Adjust pin is used to set the regulated output voltage by connecting it to the external
resistors R1 and R2 (see Typical Application Circuit).
2 OUTPUT The regulated output voltage is connected to this pin.
3 BIAS The Bias pin is used to provide the low current bias voltage to the chip which operates
the internal circuitry and provides drive voltage for the N-FET.
4, 5 GND These are the power and analog grounds for the IC. Connect both pins to ground.
6 SHUTDOWN This provides a low power shutdown function which turns the regulated output OFF. Tie
to VBIAS if this function is not used.
7 INPUT
The high current input voltage which is regulated down to the nominal output voltage
must be connected to this pin. Because the bias voltage to operate the chip is provided
separately, the input voltage can be as low as a few hundred millivolts above the output
voltage.
8 N/C This pin is floating, it has no internal connection.
DAP DAP
The PSOP DAP is a thermal connection that is physically connected to the backside of
the die, and is used as a thermal connection to the PC Board copper. The DAP is not a
ground pin connection, but should be connected to ground potential.
Ordering Information
Order Number Package Type Package Drawing Supplied As
LP38841MR-ADJ PSOP-8 MRA08A 95 Units Tape and Reel
LP38841MRX-ADJ PSOP-8 MRA08A 2500 Units Tape and Reel
Block Diagram
20117724
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LP38841-ADJ
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Note 1)
If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required,
please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/
Distributors for availability and specifications.
Storage Temperature Range −65°C to +150°C
Lead Temp. (Soldering, 5 seconds) 260°C
ESD Rating
Human Body Model (Note 3)
Machine Model (Note 9)
2 kV
200V
Power Dissipation (Note 2) Internally Limited
VIN Supply Voltage (Survival) −0.3V to +6V
VBIAS Supply Voltage (Survival) −0.3V to +7V
Shutdown Input Voltage (Survival) −0.3V to +7V
VADJ -0.3V to +6V
IOUT (Survival) Internally Limited
Output Voltage (Survival) −0.3V to +6V
Junction Temperature −40°C to +150°C
Operating Ratings
VIN Supply Voltage (VOUT + VDO) to 5.5V
Shutdown Input Voltage 0 to +5.5V
IOUT 0.8A
Operating Junction
Temperature Range
−40°C to +125°C
VBIAS Supply Voltage 4.5V to 5.5V
VOUT 0.56V to 1.5V
Electrical Characteristics Limits in standard typeface are for TJ = 25°C, and limits in boldface type apply over
the full operating temperature range. Unless otherwise specified: VIN = VO(NOM) + 1V, VBIAS = 4.5V, IL = 10 mA,
CIN = 10 µF CER, COUT = 22 µF CER, VS/D = VBIAS. Min/Max limits are guaranteed through testing, statistical correlation, or design.
Symbol Parameter Conditions MIN
TYP
(Note
4)
MAX Units
VADJ Adjust Pin Voltage 10 mA < IL < 0.8A
VO(NOM) + 1V VIN 5.5V
4.5V VBIAS 5.5V
0.552 0.56 0.568
V
0.543 0.577
IADJ Adjust Pin Bias Current 10 mA < IL < 0.8A
VO(NOM) + 1V VIN 5.5V
4.5V VBIAS 5.5V
1 µA
ΔVOVIN Output Voltage Line Regulation
(Note 6)
VO(NOM) + 1V VIN 5.5V 0.01 %/V
ΔVOILOutput Voltage Load Regulation
(Note 7)
10 mA < IL < 0.8A 0.1 0.4
1.3 %/A
VDO Dropout Voltage (Note 8) IL = 0.8A 75 120
205 mV
IQ(VIN) Quiescent Current Drawn from
VIN Supply
10 mA < IL < 0.8A 30 35
40 mA
V S/D 0.3V 0.06 1
30 µA
IQ(VBIAS) Quiescent Current Drawn from
VBIAS Supply
10 mA < IL < 0.8A 2 4
6mA
V S/D 0.3V 0.03 1
30 µA
UVLO VBIAS Voltage Where Regulator
Output Is Enabled
3.8 V
ISC Short-Circuit Current VOUT = 0V 2.6 A
Shutdown Input
VSDT Output Turn-off Threshold Output = ON 0.7 1.3 V
Output = OFF 0.3 0.7
Td (OFF) Turn-OFF Delay RLOAD X COUT << Td (OFF) 20 µs
Td (ON) Turn-ON Delay RLOAD X COUT << Td (ON) 15
IS/D S/D Input Current V S/D =1.3V 1 µA
V S/D 0.3V −1
θJ-A Junction to Ambient Thermal
Resistance
PSOP-8 Package (Note 10) 43 °C/W
AC Parameters
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LP38841-ADJ
Symbol Parameter Conditions MIN
TYP
(Note
4)
MAX Units
PSRR (VIN) Ripple Rejection for VIN Input
Voltage
VIN = VOUT +1V, f = 120 Hz 80
dB
VIN = VOUT + 1V, f = 1 kHz 65
PSRR (VBIAS) Ripple Rejection for VBIAS Voltage VBIAS = VOUT + 3V, f = 120 Hz 58
VBIAS = VOUT + 3V, f = 1 kHz 58
Output Noise Density f = 120 Hz 1 µV/root−Hz
enOutput Noise Voltage
VOUT = 1.5V
BW = 10 Hz − 100 kHz 150 µV (rms)
BW = 300 Hz − 300 kHz 90
Note 1: Absolute maximum ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the component may occur. Operating ratings indicate conditions for which the device
is intended to be functional, but do not guarantee specific performance limits. For guaranteed specifications, see Electrical Characteristics. Specifications do not
apply when operating the device outside of its rated operating conditions.
Note 2: At elevated temperatures, device power dissipation must be derated based on package thermal resistance and heatsink thermal values. If power
dissipation causes the junction temperature to exceed specified limits, the device will go into thermal shutdown.
Note 3: The human body model is a 100 pF capacitor discharged through a 1.5k resistor into each pin.
Note 4: Typical numbers represent the most likely parametric norm for 25°C operation.
Note 5: If used in a dual-supply system where the regulator load is returned to a negative supply, the output pin must be diode clamped to ground.
Note 6: Output voltage line regulation is defined as the change in output voltage from nominal value resulting from a change in input voltage.
Note 7: Output voltage load regulation is defined as the change in output voltage from nominal value as the load current increases from no load to full load.
Note 8: Dropout voltage is defined as the minimum input to output differential required to maintain the output with 2% of nominal value.
Note 9: The machine model is a 220 pF capacitor discharged directly into each pin.
Note 10: For optimum heat dissipation, the exposed DAP on the bottom of the PSOP package must be soldered to a copper plane or connected using thermal
vias to an internal copper plane.
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LP38841-ADJ
Typical Performance Characteristics Unless otherwise specified: TJ = 25°C, CIN = 10 µF CER, COUT =
22 µF CER, CBIAS = 1 µF CER, S/D Pin is tied to VBIAS, VOUT = 1.2V, IL = 10mA, VBIAS = 5V, VIN = VOUT + 1V.
VBIAS Transient Response
20117736
Dropout Voltage Over Temperature
20117739
VBIAS PSRR
20117741
VBIAS PSRR
20117751
VIN PSRR
20117742
VADJ / IADJ vs Temperature
20117760
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LP38841-ADJ
Load Transient Response
20117762
Load Transient Response
20117764
Application Hints
SETTING THE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
(Refer to Typical Application Circuit)
The output voltage is set using the resistive divider R1 and
R2. The output voltage is given by the formula:
VOUT = VADJ x (1 + R1 / R2)
The value of R2 must be 10k or less for proper operation.
EXTERNAL CAPACITORS
To assure regulator stability, input and output capacitors are
required as shown in the Typical Application Circuit.
OUTPUT CAPACITOR
An output capacitor is required on the LP3884X devices for
loop stability. The minimum value of capacitance necessary
depends on type of capacitor: if a solid Tantalum capacitor is
used, the part is stable with capacitor values as low as 4.7µF.
If a ceramic capacitor is used, a minimum of 22 µF of capac-
itance must be used (capacitance may be increased without
limit). The reason a larger ceramic capacitor is required is that
the output capacitor sets a pole which limits the loop band-
width. The Tantalum capacitor has a higher ESR than the
ceramic which provides more phase margin to the loop, there-
by allowing the use of a smaller output capacitor because
adequate phase margin can be maintained out to a higher
crossover frequency. The tantalum capacitor will typically al-
so provide faster settling time on the output after a fast chang-
ing load transient occurs, but the ceramic capacitor is superior
for bypassing high frequency noise.
The output capacitor must be located less than one centime-
ter from the output pin and returned to a clean analog ground.
Care must be taken in choosing the output capacitor to ensure
that sufficient capacitance is provided over the full operating
temperature range. If ceramics are selected, only X7R or X5R
types may be used because Z5U and Y5F types suffer severe
loss of capacitance with temperature and applied voltage and
may only provide 20% of their rated capacitance in operation.
INPUT CAPACITOR
The input capacitor is also critical to loop stability because it
provides a low source impedance for the regulator. The min-
imum required input capacitance is 10 µF ceramic (Tantalum
not recommended). The value of CIN may be increased with-
out limit. As stated above, X5R or X7R must be used to ensure
sufficient capacitance is provided. The input capacitor must
be located less than one centimeter from the input pin and
returned to a clean analog ground.
FEED FORWARD CAPACITOR
(Refer to Typical Application Circuit)
A capacitor placed across R1 can provide some additional
phase margin and improve transient response. The capacitor
CFF and R1 form a zero in the loop response given by the
formula:
FZ = 1 / (2 x π x CFF x R1)
For best effect, select CFF so the zero frequency is approxi-
mately 70 kHz. The phase lead provided by CFF drops as the
output voltage gets closer to 0.56V (and R1 reduces in value).
The reason is that CFF also forms a pole whose frequency is
given by:
FP = 1 / (2 x π x CFF x R1 // R2)
As R1 reduces, the two equations come closer to being equal
and the pole and zero begin to cancel each other out which
removes the beneficial phase lead of the zero.
BIAS CAPACITOR
The 0.1µF capacitor on the bias line can be any good quality
capacitor (ceramic is recommended).
BIAS VOLTAGE
The bias voltage is an external voltage rail required to get gate
drive for the N-FET pass transistor. Bias voltage must be in
the range of 4.5 - 5.5V to assure proper operation of the part.
UNDER VOLTAGE LOCKOUT
The bias voltage is monitored by a circuit which prevents the
regulator output from turning on if the bias voltage is below
approximately 3.8V.
SHUTDOWN OPERATION
Pulling down the shutdown (S/D) pin will turn-off the regulator.
The S/D pin must be actively terminated through a pull-up re-
sistor (10 k to 100 k) for a proper operation. If this pin is
driven from a source that actively pulls high and low (such as
a CMOS rail to rail comparator), the pull-up resistor is not re-
quired. This pin must be tied to Vin if not used.
POWER DISSIPATION/HEATSINKING
Heatsinking for the PSOP-8 package is accomplished by al-
lowing heat to flow through the exposed DAP on the bottom
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LP38841-ADJ
of the package into the copper on the PC board. The exposed
DAP must be soldered down to a copper plane to get good
heat transfer. It can also be connected through thermal vias
to internal copper planes. Since the DAP is physically con-
nected to the backside of the die, it must be held at ground
potential. Under all possible conditions, the junction temper-
ature must be within the range specified under operating
conditions.
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LP38841-ADJ
Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted
PSOP-8 8-Lead Molded PSOP-2
NS Package Number MRA08B
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LP38841-ADJ
Notes
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LP38841-ADJ
Notes
LP38841-ADJ 0.8A Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulators
Stable with Ceramic Output Capacitors
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