POWER AND LINEAR IC SOLUTIONS

LDO Regulator Addresses Growing Communications and Base Station Markets

Micrel’s MIC69502 5A low voltage, single supply LDO (Low Drop Out) regulator supports the high current, low output voltage requirements of present and future FPGAs, microcontrollers and PLDs in Point of Load (POL) applications such as optical networks, communication switches, storage networks, wireless base stations and home entertainment systems.

The device is designed to supply high currents at very low voltages for next generation DSPs, FPGAs and ASICs as they migrate from 90nm to 65nm processes. It is an easy to use, single input regulator with a 0.5V reference and output voltage accuracy over line, load and temperature of 2% anticipating designers’ needs for output voltages of less than 0.8V in the future.



The MIC69502 features a single supply input range of 1.65V to 5.5V and minimum output voltage of 0.5V. It is available in an ultra-compact SPAK-7 package option with the equivalent thermal performance of a TO263 in a 36% smaller footprint. The IC provides excellent transient response and is stable with a low-value (10µF) low-ESR ceramic output capacitor. With minimal component count, and 500mV maximum dropout at 5A over temperature, the device gives designers increased flexibility due to the small footprint, ease of use and excellent thermal performance.


Typical Application

Load and line regulation is a low 0.2% while start-up time is typically 50µs. Protection features include thermal shutdown and current limit protection. Logic enable and error flag pins are also available. It has an operating temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.

Features

• 0.5V, 5A LDO regulator
• Input voltage range: 1.65V to 5.5V
• ±1.0% initial output tolerance
• Maximum DropOut 500mV
• Output voltage adjustable down to 0.5V
• Stable with 10µF ceramic output capacitor
• Excellent line and load regulation specifications
• Logic-controlled shutdown
• Thermal shutdown and current limit protection
• 7-Pin S-Pak package
• -40°C to +125°C temperature

Applications

• ASIC core voltage regulator
• PLD/FPGA core power supply
• Linear point-of-load conversion
• High-speed post-regulator
• Optical networks
• Communication switches
• Storage networks
• Wireless base stations
• Home entertainment systems

For further information, including the MIC69502 Datasheet and how to enter the Free Evaluation Board draw, please click here