NCP120
www.onsemi.com
6
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The NCP120 dual−rail very low dropout voltage regulator
is using NMOS pass transistor for output voltage regulation
from V
IN
voltage. All the low current internal controll
circuitry is powered from the V
BIAS
voltage.
The use of an NMOS pass transistor offers several
advantages in applications. Unlike a PMOS topology
devices, the output capacitor has reduced impact on loop
stability. V
IN
to V
OUT
operating voltage difference can be
very low compared with standard PMOS regulators in very
low V
IN
applications.
The NCP120 offers smooth monotonic start-up. The
controlled voltage rising limits the inrush current.
The Enable (EN) input is equipped with internal
hysteresis.
NCP120 is a Fixed Voltage linear regulator.
Dropout Voltage
Because of two power supply inputs V
IN
and V
BIAS
and
one V
OUT
regulator output, there are two Dropout voltages
specified.
The first, the V
IN
Dropout voltage is the voltage
difference (V
IN
– V
OUT
) when V
OUT
starts to decrease by
percents specified in the Electrical Characteristics table.
V
BIAS
is high enough, specific value is published in the
Electrical Characteristics table.
The second, V
BIAS
dropout voltage is the voltage
difference (V
BIAS
– V
OUT
) when V
IN
and V
BIAS
pins are
joined together and V
OUT
starts to decrease.
Input and Output Capacitors
The device is designed to be stable for ceramic output
capacitors with Effective capacitance in the range from 1 mF
to 10 mF. The device is also stable with multiple capacitors
in parallel, having the total effective capacitance in the
specified range.
In applications where no low input supplies impedance
available (PCB inductance in V
IN
and/or V
BIAS
inputs as
example), the recommended C
IN
= 1 mF and C
BIAS
= 0.1 mF
or greater. Ceramic capacitors are recommended. For the
best performance all the capacitors should be connected to
the NCP120 respective pins directly in the device PCB
copper layer, not through vias having not negligible
impedance.
When using small ceramic capacitor, their capacitance is
not constant but varies with applied DC biasing voltage,
temperature and tolerance. The effective capacitance can be
much lower than their nominal capacitance value, most
importantly in negative temperatures and higher LDO
output voltages. That is why the recommended Output
capacitor capacitance value is specified as Effective value in
the specific application conditions.
Enable Operation
The enable pin will turn the regulator on or off. The
threshold limits are covered in the electrical characteristics
table in this data sheet. If the enable function is not to be used
then the pin should be connected to V
IN
or V
BIAS
.
Current Limitation
The internal Current Limitation circuitry allows the
device to supply the full nominal current and surges but
protects the device against Current Overload or Short.
Thermal Protection
Internal thermal shutdown (TSD) circuitry is provided to
protect the integrated circuit in the event that the maximum
junction temperature is exceeded. When TSD activated , the
regulator output turns off. When cooling down under the low
temperature threshold, device output is activated again. This
TSD feature is provided to prevent failures from accidental
overheating.
