LP3873/LP3876 3A Fast Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulators General Description Features The LP3873/LP3876 series of fast ultra low-dropout linear regulators operate from a +2.5V to +7.0V input supply. Wide range of preset output voltage options are available. These ultra low dropout linear regulators respond very quickly to step changes in load, which makes them suitable for low voltage microprocessor applications. The LP3873/LP3876 are developed on a CMOS process which allows low quiescent current operation independent of output load current. This CMOS process also allows the LP3873/LP3876 to operate under extremely low dropout conditions. Dropout Voltage: Ultra low dropout voltage; typically 80mV at 300mA load current and 800mV at 3A load current. Ground Pin Current: Typically 6mA at 3A load current. n n n n n n n n n n n n Shutdown Mode: Typically 1µA quiescent current when the shutdown pin is pulled low. Applications Error Flag: Error flag goes low when the output voltage drops 10% below nominal value. SENSE: Sense pin improves regulation at remote loads. Precision Output Voltage: Multiple output voltage options are available ranging from 1.8V to 5.0V with a guaranteed accuracy of ± 1.5% at room temperature, and ± 3.0% over all conditions (varying line, load, and temperature). n n n n n n n n Ultra low dropout voltage Low ground pin current Load regulation of 0.08% 1µA quiescent current in shutdown mode Guaranteed output current of 3A DC Available in TO-263 and TO-220 packages Output voltage accuracy ± 1.5% Error flag indicates output status Sense option improves load regulation Minimum output capacitor requirements Overtemperature/overcurrent protection −40˚C to +125˚C junction temperature range Microprocessor power supplies GTL, GTL+, BTL, and SSTL bus terminators Power supplies for DSPs SCSI terminator Post regulators High efficiency linear regulators Battery chargers Other battery powered applications Typical Application Circuits 20060501 *SD and ERROR pins must be pulled high through a 10kΩ pull-up resistor. Connect the ERROR pin to ground if this function is not used. See application hints for more information. © 2003 National Semiconductor Corporation DS200605 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 3A Fast Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulators September 2003 LP3873/LP3876 Typical Application Circuits (Continued) 20060545 *SD pins must be pulled high through a 10kΩ pull-up resistor. See application hints for more information. Connection Diagrams 20060506 20060505 Top View TO263-5 Package Top View TO220-5 Package Bent, Staggered Leads Pin Description for TO220-5 and TO263-5 Packages Pin # LP3873 Name LP3876 Function Name Function 1 SD Shutdown SD Shutdown 2 VIN Input Supply VIN Input Supply 3 GND Ground GND 4 VOUT Output Voltage VOUT 5 ERROR www.national.com ERROR Flag SENSE 2 Ground Output Voltage Remote Sense Pin LP3873/LP3876 Ordering Information 20060531 Package Type Designator is "T" for TO220 package, and "S" for TO263 package. TABLE 1. Package Marking and Ordering Information Output Voltage Description (Current, Option) Order Number Package Type Package Marking Supplied As: 5.0 LP3873ES-5.0 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-5.0 Rail 5.0 LP3873ESX-5.0 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-5.0 Tape and Reel 3.3 LP3873ES-3.3 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-3.3 Rail 3.3 LP3873ESX-3.3 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-3.3 Tape and Reel 2.5 LP3873ES-2.5 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-2.5 Rail 2.5 LP3873ESX-2.5 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-2.5 Tape and Reel 1.8 LP3873ES-1.8 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-1.8 Rail 1.8 LP3873ESX-1.8 3A, Error Flag TO263-5 LP3873ES-1.8 Tape and Reel 5.0 LP3876ES-5.0 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-5.0 Rail 5.0 LP3876ESX-5.0 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-5.0 Tape and Reel 3.3 LP3876ES-3.3 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-3.3 Rail 3.3 LP3876ESX-3.3 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-3.3 Tape and Reel 2.5 LP3876ES-2.5 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-2.5 Rail 2.5 LP3876ESX-2.5 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-2.5 Tape and Reel 1.8 LP3876ES-1.8 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-1.8 Rail 1.8 LP3876ESX-1.8 3A, SENSE TO263-5 LP3876ES-1.8 Tape and Reel 5.0 LP3873ET-5.0 3A, Error Flag TO220-5 LP3873ET-5.0 Rail 3.3 LP3873ET-3.3 3A, Error Flag TO220-5 LP3873ET-3.3 Rail 2.5 LP3873ET-2.5 3A, Error Flag TO220-5 LP3873ET-2.5 Rail 1.8 LP3873ET-1.8 3A, Error Flag TO220-5 LP3873ET-1.8 Rail 5.0 LP3876ET-5.0 3A, SENSE TO220-5 LP3876ET-5.0 Rail 3.3 LP3876ET-3.3 3A, SENSE TO220-5 LP3876ET-3.3 Rail 2.5 LP3876ET-2.5 3A, SENSE TO220-5 LP3876ET-2.5 Rail 1.8 LP3876ET-1.8 3A, SENSE TO220-5 LP3876ET-1.8 Rail Block Diagram LP3873 3 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Block Diagram LP3873 (Continued) 20060503 Block Diagram LP3876 20060529 www.national.com 4 (Note 1) IOUT (Survival) Maximum Voltage for ERROR Pin If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required, please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/ Distributors for availability and specifications. Storage Temperature Range Short Circuit Protected VIN Maximum Voltage for SENSE Pin VOUT −65˚C to +150˚C Lead Temperature Operating Ratings (Soldering, 5 sec.) 260˚C ESD Rating (Note 3) 2 kV Power Dissipation (Note 2) Input Supply Voltage (Note 11) Shutdown Input Voltage Internally Limited Input Supply Voltage (Survival) Shutdown Input Voltage (Survival) Output Voltage (Survival), (Note 6), (Note 7) 2.5V to 7.0V −0.3V to 7.0V Maximum Operating Current (DC) −0.3V to +7.5V Junction Temperature 3A −40˚C to +125˚C −0.3V to 7.5V −0.3V to +6.0V Electrical Characteristics LP3873/LP3876 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) + 1.5V, IL = 10 mA, COUT = 10µF, VSD = 2V. Symbol Parameter Conditions Typ (Note 4) LP3873/6 (Note 5) Min Max -1.5 -3.0 +1.5 +3.0 Units Output Voltage Tolerance (Note 8) VOUT +1.5V ≤ VIN ≤ 7.0V 10 mA ≤ IL ≤ 3A ∆V OL Output Voltage Line Regulation (Note 8) VOUT + 1.5V ≤ VIN ≤ 7.0V 0.02 0.06 % ∆VO/ ∆IOUT Output Voltage Load Regulation (Note 8) 10 mA ≤ IL ≤ 3A 0.08 0.14 % VO VIN - VOUT Dropout Voltage (Note 10) IGND IGND IO(PK) Ground Pin Current In Normal Operation Mode 0 IL = 300 mA 80 100 120 IL = 3A 800 1000 1200 IL = 300 mA 5 9 10 IL = 3A 6 14 15 VSD ≤ 0.3V 1 10 Ground Pin Current In Shutdown Mode -40˚C ≤TJ ≤ 85˚C Peak Output Current VO ≥ VO(NOM) - 4% % mV mA µA 50 4.5 A 6 A SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION ISC Short Circuit Current 5 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Absolute Maximum Ratings LP3873/LP3876 Electrical Characteristics LP3873/LP3876 (Continued) 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) + 1.5V, IL = 10 mA, COUT = 10µF, VSD = 2V. Symbol Parameter Conditions Typ (Note 4) LP3873/6 (Note 5) Min Units Max SHUTDOWN INPUT VIN 0 Turn-off delay IL = 3A 20 Turn-on delay IL = 3A 25 µs SD Input Current VSD = VIN 1 nA Shutdown Threshold TdOFF TdON ISD 2 Output = High Output = Low VSDT 0.3 V µs ERROR FLAG VT Threshold (Note 9) 10 5 16 % VTH Threshold Hysteresis (Note 9) 5 2 8 % VEF(Sat) Error Flag Saturation Isink = 100µA 0.1 V 0.02 Td Flag Reset Delay 1 µs Ilk Error Flag Pin Leakage Current 1 nA VError = 0.5V 1 mA VIN = VOUT + 1.0V COUT = 10uF VOUT = 3.3V 73 VIN = VOUT + 0.5V COUT = 10uF VOUT = 3.3V 57 f = 120Hz 0.8 BW = 10Hz – 100kHz VOUT = 2.5V 150 BW = 300Hz – 300kHz VOUT = 2.5V 100 Imax Error Flag Pin Sink Current AC PARAMETERS PSRR ρn(l/f en Ripple Rejection Output Noise Density Output Noise Voltage dB µV µV (rms) Note 1: Absolute maximum ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating ratings indicate conditions for which the device is intended to be functional, but does not guarantee specific performance limits. For guaranteed specifications and test conditions, see Electrical Characteristics. The guaranteed specifications apply only for the test conditions listed. Some performance characteristics may degrade when the device is not operated under the listed test conditions. Note 2: At elevated temperatures, devices must be derated based on package thermal resistance. The devices in TO220 package must be derated at θjA = 50˚C/W (with 0.5in2, 1oz. copper area), junction-to-ambient (with no heat sink). The devices in the TO263 surface-mount package must be derated at θjA = 60˚C/W (with 0.5in2, 1oz. copper area), junction-to-ambient. See Application Hints. Note 3: The human body model is a 100pF capacitor discharged through a 1.5kΩ resistor into each pin. Note 4: Typical numbers are at 25˚C and represent the most likely parametric norm. Note 5: Limits are guaranteed by testing, design, or statistical correlation. Note 6: If used in a dual-supply system where the regulator load is returned to a negative supply, the output must be diode-clamped to ground. Note 7: The output PMOS structure contains a diode between the VIN and VOUT terminals. This diode is normally reverse biased. This diode will get forward biased if the voltage at the output terminal is forced to be higher than the voltage at the input terminal. This diode can typically withstand 200mA of DC current and 1Amp of peak current. Note 8: Output voltage line regulation is defined as the change in output voltage from the nominal value due to change in the input line voltage. Output voltage load regulation is defined as the change in output voltage from the nominal value due to change in load current. The line and load regulation specification contains only the typical number. However, the limits for line and load regulation are included in the output voltage tolerance specification. Note 9: Error Flag threshold and hysteresis are specified as percentage of regulated output voltage. See Application Hints. Note 10: Dropout voltage is defined as the minimum input to output differential voltage at which the output drops 2% below the nominal value. Dropout voltage specification applies only to output voltages of 2.5V and above. For output voltages below 2.5V, the drop-out voltage is nothing but the input to output differential, since the minimum input voltage is 2.5V. Note 11: The minimum operating value for VIN is equal to either [VOUT(NOM) + VDROPOUT] or 2.5V, whichever is greater. www.national.com 6 Ground Current vs Output Load Current VOUT = 5V Dropout Voltage Vs Output Load Current 20060562 20060553 Ground Current vs Output Voltage IL = 3A Shutdown IQ vs Junction Temperature 20060555 20060554 Error Flag Threshold vs Junction Temperature DC Load Reg. vs Junction Temperature 20060557 20060558 7 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Typical Performance Characteristics Unless otherwise specified: TJ = 25˚C, COUT = 10µF, CIN = 10µF, S/D pin is tied to VIN, VOUT = 2.5V, VIN = VO(NOM) + 1V, IL = 10mA LP3873/LP3876 Typical Performance Characteristics Unless otherwise specified: TJ = 25˚C, COUT = 10µF, CIN = 10µF, S/D pin is tied to VIN, VOUT = 2.5V, VIN = VO(NOM) + 1V, IL = 10mA (Continued) DC Line Regulation vs Temperature VIN vs VOUT Over Temperature 20060560 20060559 Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 10µF, OSCON Noise vs Frequency 20060581 20060561 Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, POSCAP Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, OSCON 20060582 www.national.com 20060583 8 Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 10µF, TANTALUM Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, TANTALUM 20060584 20060585 Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, OSCON Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 10µF, OSCON 20060586 20060587 Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 10µF, TANTALUM Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, POSCAP 20060588 20060589 9 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Typical Performance Characteristics Unless otherwise specified: TJ = 25˚C, COUT = 10µF, CIN = 10µF, S/D pin is tied to VIN, VOUT = 2.5V, VIN = VO(NOM) + 1V, IL = 10mA (Continued) LP3873/LP3876 Typical Performance Characteristics Unless otherwise specified: TJ = 25˚C, COUT = 10µF, CIN = 10µF, S/D pin is tied to VIN, VOUT = 2.5V, VIN = VO(NOM) + 1V, IL = 10mA (Continued) Load Transient Response CIN = COUT = 100µF, TANTALUM 20060590 www.national.com 10 Equally important to consider is a capacitor’s ESR change with temperature: this is not an issue with ceramics, as their ESR is extremely low. However, it is very important in Tantalum and aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Both show increasing ESR at colder temperatures, but the increase in aluminum electrolytic capacitors is so severe they may not be feasible for some applications (see Capacitor Characteristics Section). VIN RESTRICTIONS FOR PROPER START-UP To prevent misoperation, ensure that VIN is below 50mV before start-up is initiated. This scenario can occur in systems with a backup battery using reverse-biased "blocking" diodes which may allow enough leakage current to flow into the VIN node to raise it’s voltage slightly above ground when the main power is removed. Using low leakage diodes or a resistive pull down can prevent the voltage at VIN from rising above 50mV. Large bulk capacitors connected to VIN may also cause a start-up problem if they do not discharge fully before re-start is initiated (but only if VIN is allowed to fall below 1V). A resistor connected across the capacitor will allow it to discharge more quickly. It should be noted that the probability of a "false start" caused by incorrect logic states is extremely low. CAPACITOR CHARACTERISTICS CERAMIC: For values of capacitance in the 10 to 100 µF range, ceramics are usually larger and more costly than tantalums but give superior AC performance for bypassing high frequency noise because of very low ESR (typically less than 10 mΩ). However, some dielectric types do not have good capacitance characteristics as a function of voltage and temperature. EXTERNAL CAPACITORS Like any low-dropout regulator, external capacitors are required to assure stability. these capacitors must be correctly selected for proper performance. Z5U and Y5V dielectric ceramics have capacitance that drops severely with applied voltage. A typical Z5U or Y5V capacitor can lose 60% of its rated capacitance with half of the rated voltage applied to it. The Z5U and Y5V also exhibit a severe temperature effect, losing more than 50% of nominal capacitance at high and low limits of the temperature range. X7R and X5R dielectric ceramic capacitors are strongly recommended if ceramics are used, as they typically maintain a capacitance range within ± 20% of nominal over full operating ratings of temperature and voltage. Of course, they are typically larger and more costly than Z5U/Y5U types for a given voltage and capacitance. TANTALUM: Solid Tantalum capacitors are recommended for use on the output because their typical ESR is very close to the ideal value required for loop compensation. They also work well as input capacitors if selected to meet the ESR requirements previously listed. Tantalums also have good temperature stability: a good quality Tantalum will typically show a capacitance value that varies less than 10-15% across the full temperature range of 125˚C to −40˚C. ESR will vary only about 2X going from the high to low temperature limits. The increasing ESR at lower temperatures can cause oscillations when marginal quality capacitors are used (if the ESR of the capacitor is near the upper limit of the stability range at room temperature). ALUMINUM: This capacitor type offers the most capacitance for the money. The disadvantages are that they are larger in physical size, not widely available in surface mount, and have poor AC performance (especially at higher frequencies) due to higher ESR and ESL. Compared by size, the ESR of an aluminum electrolytic is higher than either Tantalum or ceramic, and it also varies greatly with temperature. A typical aluminum electrolytic can exhibit an ESR increase of as much as 50X when going from 25˚C down to −40˚C. It should also be noted that many aluminum electrolytics only specify impedance at a frequency of 120 Hz, which indicates they have poor high frequency performance. Only aluminum electrolytics that have an impedance specified at a higher frequency (between 20 kHz and 100 kHz) should be used for the LP387X. Derating must be applied to the manufacturer’s ESR specification, since it is typically only valid at room temperature. INPUT CAPACITOR: An input capacitor of at least 1µF is required. Ceramic or Tantalum may be used, and capacitance may be increased without limit OUTPUT CAPACITOR: An output capacitor is required for loop stability. It must be located less than 1 cm from the device and connected directly to the output and ground pins using traces which have no other currents flowing through them (see PCB Layout section). The minimum value of the output capacitance that can be used for stable full-load operation is 10 µF, but it may be increased without limit. The output capacitor must have an ESR value as shown in the stable region of the curve (below). ESR Curve 20060570 SELECTING A CAPACITOR It is important to note that capacitance tolerance and variation with temperature must be taken into consideration when selecting a capacitor so that the minimum required amount of capacitance is provided over the full operating temperature range. In general, a good Tantalum capacitor will show very little capacitance variation with temperature, but a ceramic may not be as good (depending on dielectric type). Aluminum electrolytics also typically have large temperature variation of capacitance value. 11 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Application Hints LP3873/LP3876 Application Hints OUTPUT NOISE Noise is specified in two waysSpot Noise or Output noise density is the RMS sum of all noise sources, measured at the regulator output, at a specific frequency (measured with a 1Hz bandwidth). This type of noise is usually plotted on a curve as a function of frequency. Total output Noise or Broad-band noise is the RMS sum of spot noise over a specified bandwidth, usually several decades of frequencies. Attention should be paid to the units of measurement. Spot noise is measured in units µV/√Hz or nV/√Hz and total output noise is measured in µV(rms). (Continued) Any applications using aluminum electrolytics should be thoroughly tested at the lowest ambient operating temperature where ESR is maximum. PCB LAYOUT Good PC layout practices must be used or instability can be induced because of ground loops and voltage drops. The input and output capacitors must be directly connected to the input, output, and ground pins of the regulator using traces which do not have other currents flowing in them (Kelvin connect). The best way to do this is to lay out CIN and COUT near the device with short traces to the VIN, VOUT, and ground pins. The regulator ground pin should be connected to the external circuit ground so that the regulator and its capacitors have a "single point ground". It should be noted that stability problems have been seen in applications where "vias" to an internal ground plane were used at the ground points of the IC and the input and output capacitors. This was caused by varying ground potentials at these nodes resulting from current flowing through the ground plane. Using a single point ground technique for the regulator and it’s capacitors fixed the problem. Since high current flows through the traces going into VIN and coming from VOUT, Kelvin connect the capacitor leads to these pins so there is no voltage drop in series with the input and output capacitors. The primary source of noise in low-dropout regulators is the internal reference. In CMOS regulators, noise has a low frequency component and a high frequency component, which depend strongly on the silicon area and quiescent current. Noise can be reduced in two ways: by increasing the transistor area or by increasing the current drawn by the internal reference. Increasing the area will decrease the chance of fitting the die into a smaller package. Increasing the current drawn by the internal reference increases the total supply current (ground pin current). Using an optimized trade-off of ground pin current and die size, LP3873/LP3876 achieves low noise performance and low quiescent current operation. The total output noise specification for LP3873/LP3876 is presented in the Electrical Characteristics table. The Output noise density at different frequencies is represented by a curve under typical performance characteristics. RFI/EMI SUSCEPTIBILITY RFI (radio frequency interference) and EMI (electromagnetic interference) can degrade any integrated circuit’s performance because of the small dimensions of the geometries inside the device. In applications where circuit sources are present which generate signals with significant high frequency energy content ( > 1 MHz), care must be taken to ensure that this does not affect the IC regulator. If RFI/EMI noise is present on the input side of the regulator (such as applications where the input source comes from the output of a switching regulator), good ceramic bypass capacitors must be used at the input pin of the IC. If a load is connected to the IC output which switches at high speed (such as a clock), the high-frequency current pulses required by the load must be supplied by the capacitors on the IC output. Since the bandwidth of the regulator loop is less than 100 kHz, the control circuitry cannot respond to load changes above that frequency. The means the effective output impedance of the IC at frequencies above 100 kHz is determined only by the output capacitor(s). In applications where the load is switching at high speed, the output of the IC may need RF isolation from the load. It is recommended that some inductance be placed between the output capacitor and the load, and good RF bypass capacitors be placed directly across the load. PCB layout is also critical in high noise environments, since RFI/EMI is easily radiated directly into PC traces. Noisy circuitry should be isolated from "clean" circuits where possible, and grounded through a separate path. At MHz frequencies, ground planes begin to look inductive and RFI/ EMI can cause ground bounce across the ground plane. In multi-layer PCB applications, care should be taken in layout so that noisy power and ground planes do not radiate directly into adjacent layers which carry analog power and ground. www.national.com SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION The LP3873 and LP3876 are short circuit protected and in the event of a peak over-current condition, the short-circuit control loop will rapidly drive the output PMOS pass element off. Once the power pass element shuts down, the control loop will rapidly cycle the output on and off until the average power dissipation causes the thermal shutdown circuit to respond to servo the on/off cycling to a lower frequency. Please refer to the section on thermal information for power dissipation calculations. ERROR FLAG OPERATION The LP3873/LP3876 produces a logic low signal at the Error Flag pin when the output drops out of regulation due to low input voltage, current limiting, or thermal limiting. This flag has a built in hysteresis. The timing diagram in Figure 1 shows the relationship between the ERROR flag and the output voltage. In this example, the input voltage is changed to demonstrate the functionality of the Error Flag. The internal Error flag comparator has an open drain output stage. Hence, the ERROR pin should be pulled high through a pull up resistor. Although the ERROR flag pin can sink current of 1mA, this current is energy drain from the input supply. Hence, the value of the pull up resistor should be in the range of 10kΩ to 1MΩ. The ERROR pin must be connected to ground if this function is not used. It should also be noted that when the shutdown pin is pulled low, the ERROR pin is forced to be invalid for reasons of saving power in shutdown mode. 12 LP3873/LP3876 Application Hints (Continued) 20060507 FIGURE 1. Error Flag Operation SENSE PIN In applications where the regulator output is not very close to the load, LP3876 can provide better remote load regulation using the SENSE pin. Figure 2 depicts the advantage of the SENSE option. LP3873 regulates the voltage at the output pin. Hence, the voltage at the remote load will be the regulator output voltage minus the drop across the trace resis- tance. For example, in the case of a 3.3V output, if the trace resistance is 100mΩ, the voltage at the remote load will be 3V with 3A of load current, ILOAD. The LP3876 regulates the voltage at the sense pin. Connecting the sense pin to the remote load will provide regulation at the remote load, as shown in Figure 2. If the sense option pin is not required, the sense pin must be connected to the VOUT pin. 20060508 FIGURE 2. Improving remote load regulation using LP3876 13 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 Application Hints In this equation, θCH is the thermal resistance from the case to the surface of the heat sink and θJC is the thermal resistance from the junction to the surface of the case. θJC is about 3˚C/W for a TO220 package. The value for θCH depends on method of attachment, insulator, etc. θCH varies between 1.5˚C/W to 2.5˚C/W. If the exact value is unknown, 2˚C/W can be assumed. (Continued) SHUTDOWN OPERATION A CMOS Logic level signal at the shutdown ( SD) pin will turn-off the regulator. Pin SD must be actively terminated through a 10kΩ pull-up resistor 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 required. This pin must be tied to Vin if not used. HEATSINKING TO-263 PACKAGE The TO-263 package uses the copper plane on the PCB as a heatsink. The tab of these packages are soldered to the copper plane for heat sinking. Figure 3 shows a curve for the θJA of TO-263 package for different copper area sizes, using a typical PCB with 1 ounce copper and no solder mask over the copper area for heat sinking. DROPOUT VOLTAGE The dropout voltage of a regulator is defined as the minimum input-to-output differential required to stay within 2% of the nominal output voltage. For CMOS LDOs, the dropout voltage is the product of the load current and the Rds(on) of the internal MOSFET. REVERSE CURRENT PATH The internal MOSFET in LP3873 and LP3876 has an inherent parasitic diode. During normal operation, the input voltage is higher than the output voltage and the parasitic diode is reverse biased. However, if the output is pulled above the input in an application, then current flows from the output to the input as the parasitic diode gets forward biased. The output can be pulled above the input as long as the current in the parasitic diode is limited to 200mA continuous and 1A peak. POWER DISSIPATION/HEATSINKING LP3873 and LP3876 can deliver a continuous current of 3A over the full operating temperature range. A heatsink may be required depending on the maximum power dissipation and maximum ambient temperature of the application. Under all possible conditions, the junction temperature must be within the range specified under operating conditions. The total power dissipation of the device is given by: PD = (VIN−VOUT)IOUT+ (VIN)IGND 20060532 FIGURE 3. θJA vs Copper (1 Ounce) Area for TO-263 package As shown in the figure, increasing the copper area beyond 1 square inch produces very little improvement. The minimum value for θJA for the TO-263 package mounted to a PCB is 32˚C/W. Figure 4 shows the maximum allowable power dissipation for TO-263 packages for different ambient temperatures, assuming θJA is 35˚C/W and the maximum junction temperature is 125˚C. where IGND is the operating ground current of the device (specified under Electrical Characteristics). The maximum allowable temperature rise (TRmax) depends on the maximum ambient temperature (TAmax) of the application, and the maximum allowable junction temperature (TJmax): TRmax = TJmax− TAmax The maximum allowable value for junction to ambient Thermal Resistance, θJA, can be calculated using the formula: θJA = TRmax / PD LP3873 and LP3876 are available in TO-220 and TO-263 packages. The thermal resistance depends on amount of copper area or heat sink, and on air flow. If the maximum allowable value of θJA calculated above is ≥ 60 ˚C/W for TO-220 package and ≥ 60 ˚C/W for TO-263 package no heatsink is needed since the package can dissipate enough heat to satisfy these requirements. If the value for allowable θJA falls below these limits, a heat sink is required. HEATSINKING TO-220 PACKAGE The thermal resistance of a TO220 package can be reduced by attaching it to a heat sink or a copper plane on a PC board. If a copper plane is to be used, the values of θJA will be same as shown in next section for TO263 package. The heatsink to be used in the application should have a heatsink to ambient thermal resistance, θHA≤ θJA − θCH − θJC. www.national.com 20060533 FIGURE 4. Maximum power dissipation vs ambient temperature for TO-263 package 14 LP3873/LP3876 Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted TO220 5-lead, Molded, Stagger Bend Package (TO220-5) NS Package Number T05D For Order Numbers, refer to the “Ordering Information” section of this document. 15 www.national.com LP3873/LP3876 3A Fast Ultra Low Dropout Linear Regulators Physical Dimensions inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued) TO263 5-Lead, Molded, Surface Mount Package (TO263-5) NS Package Number TS5B For Order Numbers, refer to the “Ordering Information” section of this document. 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