Frugal regulators hit the road

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Aug 26, 2003

New MOS voltage regulators for automotive applications combine ultra-low current consumption and miniature package size with extended temperature operation and high levels of integrated protection.

A new series of MOS voltage regulators for automotive applications combine ultra-low current consumption and miniature package size with extended temperature operation and high levels of integrated protection.

Designed specifically to operate in automotive environments, Rohm's BD39xx regulators have a low typical quiescent current down to just 30uA, even at the maximum output current of 500mA.

Devices in the BD39xx range will operate at temperatures of between -40 and +125C and are available with output voltage options of 3.3, 5, 8, 9 and 12V.

Output tolerance ratings are within +/-2%.

Use of ceramic rather than tantalum capacitors ensures stable output characteristics across the operating temperature range, as well as reducing product size when compared with conventional automotive regulators.

All of the new regulators feature high levels of integrated functionality including built-in overcurrent, overvoltage and reverse voltage protection.

Thermal shutdown and protection against reverse polarity conditions are also provided as standard.

The BD39xx regulators will suit a wide variety of automotive applications ranging from vehicle multimedia systems to engine management.

In order to ensure stable performance in the automotive environment, the devices incorporate a high-stability phase compensation circuit that significantly improves the oscillation margin.