VLDO voltage regulator with input voltage capability down to 0.9V

Linear Technology Corp. announced a new I-grade version of its LT3020 LDO regulator for industrial and automotive applications. The LT3020 is a 100mA VLDO (very low dropout) voltage regulator with input voltage capability down to 0.9V and a very low dropout voltage of 150mV at full load. Output voltages include 1.2-, 1.5- and 1.8V fixed, and an adjustable option ranging from 0.2V to 9.5V.

The I-grade guarantees operation from -40°C to 125°C, enabling a variety of applications in automotive, industrial and instrumentation markets. In handheld products, the LT3020's minimum input voltage of 0.9V enables it to operate across the entire voltage range of both single cell alkaline and NiMH (1.4V to 0.9V) batteries and to drive low-voltage microcontroller and microprocessor cores. Furthermore, its 150mV dropout voltage optimizes battery run time in single cell applications with a low V_IN to V_OUT differential. Additionally, the LT3020 offers micropower operation with 120?A of quiescent current and less than 3?A in shutdown, maximizing run time in battery powered applications.

The LT3020 regulator optimizes stability and transient response with low ESR ceramic output capacitors as small as 2.2?F. Other LT3020 features include flat typical line regulation and 0.2 percent typical load regulation from 1mA to 100mA of load. Internal protection circuitry includes reverse-battery protection, current limiting, thermal limiting with hysteresis, and reverse-current protection.

The new regulator is available in a low profile (0.75mm) 8-lead DFN (3-by-3mm) package with an exposed pad and an 8-lead MSOP package. Both the LT3020IDD/-1.x (8-lead DFN) and the LT3020IMS8/-1.x (MSOP-8) are available from stock. In 1,000-piece orders, pricing starts at $1.60 each for both package options.