A micro-power voltage regulator is an integrated circuit frequently available in small packages appropriate for compact designs. These ICs provide a constant output voltage while drawing minimum power. So it is perfect for battery-powered devices wherever low current consumption is essential. This voltage regulator keeps a constant output voltage even whenever the input voltage is close to the preferred output voltage. This voltage regulator is highly efficient and works at very low power levels, frequently with features like low dropout voltage and low quiescent current. This article provides basic information on the LP2950 IC to quickly learn about its pin configuration, features, specifications, and applications.
What is LP2950 IC?
The LP2950 IC is a micro-power voltage regulator, available in DPAK and 3-pin case 29 packages. So this IC is designed specifically to maintain accurate regulation with very low input−to−output voltage variation. This IC has 75 μA of low quiescent bias current which supplies above 100 mA output current, thermal limiting protection, and Internal current. This voltage regulator is suited ideally for battery-powered consumer, computer, and industrial equipment wherever an addition of helpful battery life is required.
How LP2950 IC Work?
The LP2950 IC works as an LDO (low-dropout) linear voltage regulator, so it maintains a constant output voltage even when the input voltage is extremely close to the preferred output voltage. So it is suitable for battery-powered applications wherever voltage drop occurs. This can be achieved by using the internal circuitry that checks the output voltage constantly and regulates the current drawn from the input voltage to maintain a constant output. So this voltage regulator has some features like excellent line & load regulation, and low quiescent current which provides a stable power supply with the least power consumption.
LP2950 IC can function with very little variation between the input & the output voltages for battery-powered devices wherever the input voltage changes. This IC has less quiescent current, so it draws very little power whenever it does not supply current actively to a connected load, and further, it extends battery life.
This voltage regulator utilizes an internal feedback loop to contrast the output voltage constantly to a reference voltage. So it adjusts the internal circuitry to keep a stable output voltage instead of changes within the input voltage (or) load current. This IC’s basic configuration needs only a few external components like input capacitors & output capacitors to ensure constancy.
LP2950 IC Pin Configuration:
The LP2950 IC pin configuration is shown below. So this IC includes 3-pins which are explained below.
LP2950 IC Pin Configuration
- Pin-1(Input): It is an input pin of the voltage regulator IC that provides input supply.
- Pin-2(GND): It is a ground pin of the voltage regulator IC. So this pin is unbiased for evenly the input and output.
- Pin-3(Output): It is an output pin of the voltage regulator IC which provides output.
Features & Specifications:
The features and specifications of LP2950 IC include the following.
- LP2950 is a micro-power voltage regulator IC/
- This IC includes three pins.
- It is available in DPAK and 3-pin case 29packages.
- This IC has 75 μA of low quiescent bias current.
- Its low i/p to o/p voltage difference is 50 mV at 100 μAmps & 380 mV at 100 mAmps
- This IC has very tight line & load regulations.
- It needs a 1.0 μF output capacitor only for its stability.
- It has internal current & thermal limiting.
- This IC is RoHS Compliant & Pb−Free.
- Its maximum Iout is 0.1A.
- The maximum input voltage is 30V.
- The minimum input voltage is 2.3V.
- Its minimum and maximum Vout ranges from 3 to 5V.
- Noise is 100 µVrms.
- PSRR is 51 at 100 KHz (dB)
- Its typical Iq is 0.075 mA.
- Thermal resistance θJA is 51 °C/W.
- The minimum load capacitance is 1 µF.
- Its accuracy is 3 %.
- The typical dropout voltage or Vdo is 380 mV.
- The operating temperature ranges from -40 to 125 °C.
Equivalents & Alternatives :
Equivalent LP2950 ICs are; MIC2954, LP2950CZ, LP2950ACZ, LP2950CN, LP2950CZ, SPX2950ACN, LP2950ACN, LP2950CP, MIC2954-03YZ, etc. So alternative LP2950 ICs are; LP2951, NCV2951, etc.
Adjustable Micro-power LP2950 Voltage Regulator Circuit
Generally, some electronic appliances like TVs, PCs, and many more can be damaged due to temperature variations. So voltage regulators are used to diminish the fluctuations as well as ripples within the voltages. Here we are designing an adjustable micro-power LP2950 voltage regulator circuit.
Thus, the required components to make this adjustable micro-power LP2950 voltage regulator circuit mainly include LP2950 IC, 1K variable resistor, LED, 1µF electrolytic capacitor, and resistors like 220Ω, 100Ω & 2-pin connector. So, connect this circuit as per the diagram shown below.
Adjustable Micro-power LP2950 Circuit
Working
In the above circuit, the C1 and C2 fixed voltage regulators work as a filter, wherever LED illustrates the existence of input voltage. The GND pin of this IC is connected with the arrangement of a voltage divider resistor. So the RV1 potentiometer in this circuit is a variable one whereas the R2 resistor is a fixed one. The RV1 resistor value can be adjusted by controlling the GND supply to the ground pin of the IC, so we can adjust the output voltage.
Advantages & Disadvantages
The advantages of LP2950 IC include the following.
- The LP2950 IC has a low dropout voltage & a low quiescent current, so it helps to extend battery life.
- This IC has an extremely low output voltage temperature coefficient.
- It maintains the right regulation with less differential voltage.
- This IC includes an error flag output.
- This IC has a tight initial tolerance & good line and load regulation.
- It has a logic-compatible shutdown input that permits the voltage regulator to be enabled or disabled.
- This can also be used as a less-power voltage reference.
- This IC includes internal thermal limiting & current limiting protection.
The disadvantages of LP2950 IC include the following.
- The LP2950 IC can be harmed & affect its reliability if it is stressed beyond the highest ratings. So it can affect the reliability & functionality of the device.
- It is stable with less ESR output capacitors ranging from 10 mΩ to 6 ohms.
- This IC needs a CFF for strength if the feedback divider current is < 12µA.
- It needs less capacitance for its stability.
Applications
The applications of LP2950 IC include the following.
- The LP2950 low-power voltage regulator IC is designed to be used within battery-powered devices like radios, computers, phones, etc.
- This IC can also be utilized as a low-power voltage reference.
- This IC can be utilized in automotive electronics, avionics, etc.
- It maintains the right regulation with very low differential input−to−output voltage.
- It is used in power supplies, different electronic devices, gadgets, circuits, etc.
Please refer to this link for the LP2950 IC Datasheet.
The LP2950 is a three-pin low-power voltage regulator IC suitable for battery-powered applications. So this regulator has a low quiescent current (75 μA) and dropout voltage (380 mV) which supplies over 100 mA output current. LP2950 IC is available in three different packages with dissimilar output voltage ranges 3Volts, 5Volts & 3.3Volts. So this voltage regulator at low output current provides good load regulation. hus, this is a low-dropout and bipolar voltage regulator IC that accommodates up to 30 Volt wide input voltage range. Here is a question for you, what is MIC2954 IC?