LDO regulator series delivers enhanced power rail stabilisation

Toshiba Electronics Europe has launched the TCR3RM series of low noise ultra-compact LDO voltage regulators. Produced in a plastic DFN4C package measuring 1mm x 1mm x 0.38mm, the series includes 32 product variants with fixed single output voltages in the range 0.9VDC to 4.5VDC.

The series provides a high ripple rejection ratio characteristic of, typically, 100dB at 1kHz measured with a 2.8V output. Unlike other LDO regulators where the ripple rejection ratio often drops 20dB every ten-fold increase in frequency, the series falls significantly lower. The rejection ratio at 1MHz and a 2.8V output is 68dB. Electrical noise is a growing challenge for many designs, specifically DC-DC converters, where higher switching frequencies are employed to improve conversion efficiency. The ripple rejection attributes of the series together with its low noise credentials, typically 5µVrms at 10Hz ≤ f ≤100kHz, contribute to a high degree of power supply line stability and voltage accuracy.

With a maximum output current of 300mA, the series utilises a bandgap circuit, a low pass filter, and a low-noise, high-speed op-amp to supply the regulator with excellent ripple rejection and output noise specifications.

The dropout voltage is typically 130mV at 2.8V/300mA output. Across the series the input voltage range is from 1.8V to 5.5V. The regulator incorporates overcurrent protection, auto discharge, and thermal shutdown safety features.

The regulators are ideal for employment in a broad variety of portable and wearable devices, including sensors, RF devices and IoT applications or any applications where the available board space is at a premium and high-density mounting is needed.