National Semiconductor Corp. (Santa Clara, CA) announced a new family of low-noise CMOS low dropout (LDO) switching regulators for low-voltage, high-current applications, including PC, microprocessor and digital signal processing power supplies. The six new products feature output currents of 0.8A, 1.5A or 3A; logic-controlled on/off; an error flag or a separate sense pin; and over-temperature and over-current protection. The typical dropout voltage for the regulators is a low 240mV at 800mA, 380mV at 1.5A and 800mV at 3A load.
The LP387X product portfolio is comprised of the LP3871, LP3872, LP3873, LP3874, LP3875 and LP3876. For the LP387X family, the output voltage accuracy is ±1.5 percent at room temperature over load and line variations, and is guaranteed to be ±3 percent over all conditions. In applications where the load is remote from the regulator, the separate output-sense pin allows sensing at the load, compensating for PCB trace resistance. When energy efficiency is paramount, the 10nA quiescent current in shutdown mode facilitates sleep or standby operation. Sixteen voltage options and an adjustable version are possible for each product.
The LP387X family of high-current, low-voltage CMOS LDOs is now shipping in TO-263 and TO-220 packages. In 1,000-unit quantities, the LP3871/LM3874 is priced between $1.01 and $1.15 each; the LP3872/LP3875 is priced between $1.21 and $1.37 each; and the LP3873/LP3876 is priced at $1.74 each.
