Linear DC Regulators
Abbreviated as LDO, Linear DC Regulators produce regulated direct-current (DC) voltage typically at 15VDC or less. Two types of LDOs are commonly used: standard drop-out, low drop-out. Generally speaking, LDO is a kind of Power ICs with low power consumption which is typically assembled in either the surface-mounting (e.g. SOT-223-3/5L) type or the through-hole type (TO-252-3L) of packages. Integrated inside are devices like FET (bipolar or CMOS type), schottky diodes, resistors, comparators, etc. Depending on the complexity, functional circuits like output short-circuit / over-current / over-voltage protection, over-temperature shut-down, low-drift reference voltage, high-accuracy differential operational amplifier, output delayed are embedded. By design, LDO offers low-noise output voltage and above-average Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR) hence it produces minimal cross interference against other electronic components in the system. Typical application of LDO require only one input and one out capacitor hence very small Bill of Material (BOM) application space. As a result, system designer can populate LDOs next to each electronic component (e.g. MCU) on the p.c.b. with ease to provide the necessary supply voltage (VCC).
