11
LT1963 Series
1963fc
Figure 2. Adjustable Operation
IN
1963 F02
R2
OUT
V
IN
V
OUT
ADJ
GND
LT1963
R1
+
VV
R
R
IR
VV
IA
OUT ADJ
ADJ
ADJ
=+
⎛
⎝
⎜
⎞
⎠
⎟
+
()()
=
=°
121 1
2
1
2
121
3
.
.
µ AT 25 C
OUTPUT RANGE = 1.21V TO 20V
APPLICATIO S I FOR ATIO
WUUU
The LT1963 series are 1.5A low dropout regulators opti-
mized for fast transient response. The devices are capable
of supplying 1.5A at a dropout voltage of 350mV. The low
operating quiescent current (1mA) drops to less than 1µA
in shutdown. In addition to the low quiescent current, the
LT1963 regulators incorporate several protection features
which make them ideal for use in battery-powered sys-
tems. The devices are protected against both reverse input
and reverse output voltages. In battery backup applica-
tions where the output can be held up by a backup battery
when the input is pulled to ground, the LT1963-X acts like
it has a diode in series with its output and prevents reverse
current flow. Additionally, in dual supply applications
where the regulator load is returned to a negative supply,
the output can be pulled below ground by as much as 20V
and still allow the device to start and operate.
Adjustable Operation
The adjustable version of the LT1963 has an output
voltage range of 1.21V to 20V. The output voltage is set by
the ratio of two external resistors as shown in Figure 2. The
device servos the output to maintain the voltage at the ADJ
pin at 1.21V referenced to ground. The current in R1 is
then equal to 1.21V/R1 and the current in R2 is the current
in R1 plus the ADJ pin bias current. The ADJ pin bias
current, 3µA at 25°C, flows through R2 into the ADJ pin.
The output voltage can be calculated using the formula in
Figure 2. The value of R1 should be less than 4.17k to
minimize errors in the output voltage caused by the ADJ
pin bias current. Note that in shutdown the output is turned
off and the divider current will be zero.
The adjustable device is tested and specified with the ADJ
pin tied to the OUT pin for an output voltage of 1.21V.
Specifications for output voltages greater than 1.21V will
be proportional to the ratio of the desired output voltage to
1.21V: V
OUT
/1.21V. For example, load regulation for an
output current change of 1mA to 1.5A is –3mV typical at
V
OUT
= 1.21V. At V
OUT
= 5V, load regulation is:
(5V/1.21V)(–3mV) = –12.4mV
Output Capacitance and Transient Response
The LT1963 regulators are designed to be stable with a wide
range of output capacitors. The ESR of the output capacitor
affects stability, most notably with small capacitors. A mini-
mum output capacitor of 10µF with an ESR in the range of
50mΩ to 3Ω is recommended to prevent oscillations. Larger
values of output capacitance can decrease the peak devia-
tions and provide improved transient response for larger
load current changes. Bypass capacitors, used to decouple
individual components powered by the LT1963, will in-
crease the effective output capacitor value.
Extra consideration must be given to the use of ceramic
capacitors. Ceramic capacitors are manufactured with a
variety of dielectrics, each with different behavior across
temperature and applied voltage. The most common di-
electrics used are specified with EIA temperature charac-
teristic codes of Z5U, Y5V, X5R and X7R. The Z5U and Y5V
dielectrics are good for providing high capacitances in a
small package, but they tend to have strong voltage and
temperature coefficients as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
When used with a 5V regulator, a 16V 10µF Y5V capacitor
can exhibit an effective value as low as 1µF to 2µF for the
DC bias voltage applied and over the operating tempera-
ture range. The X5R and X7R dielectrics result in more
stable characteristics and are more suitable for use as the
output capacitor. The X7R type has better stability across
temperature, while the X5R is less expensive and is
available in higher values. Care still must be exercised
when using X5R and X7R capacitors; the X5R and X7R
codes only specify operating temperature range and maxi-
mum capacitance change over temperature. Capacitance
change due to DC bias with X5R and X7R capacitors is
better than Y5V and Z5U capacitors, but can still be
significant enough to drop capacitor values below appro-
priate levels. Capacitor DC bias characteristics tend to
