November 2005 1 M9999-110305
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
MIC37300/37301/37302
3.0A, Low-Voltage µCap LDO Regulator
General Description
The Micrel MIC37300/01/02 is a 3.0A low-dropout linear volt-
age regulator that provides a low-voltage, high-current output
with a minimum number of external components. It offers
high precision, ultra-low-dropout (500mV overtemperature),
and low-ground current.
The MIC37300/01/02 operates from an input of 2.25V to
6.0V. It is designed to drive digital circuits requiring low-volt-
age at high currents (i.e., PLDs, DSP, microcontroller, etc.).
It is available in fixed and adjustable output voltages. Fixed
voltages include 1.5V, 1.8V, 2.5V and 3.3V. The adjustable
version is capable of 1.24V to 5.5V.
Features of the MIC37300/01/02 LDO include thermal and
current-limit protection, and reverse-current protection.
Logic enable and error flag pins are available on the 5-pin
version.
Junction temperature range of the MIC37300/01/02 is from
–40°C to 125°C.
For applications requiring input voltage greater than 6.0V,
see the MIC3910x, MIC3915x, MIC3930x, and MIC3950x
LDOs.
All data sheets and support documentation can be found on
Micrel’s web site at www.micrel.com.
Typical Application
VOUTVIN
GND
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
MIC37300
VIN = 3.0V VOUT = 2.5V
Fixed 2.5V Regulator
VOUTVIN
FLG
GND
VEN
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
100k
MIC37301
VIN = 3.0V VOUT = 2.5V
CIN
Fixed 2.5V Regulator with Error Flag
Features
3.0A minimum guaranteed output current
500mV maximum dropout-voltage overtemperature
Ideal for 3.0V to 2.5V conversion
Ideal for 2.5V to 1.8V, 1.65V, or 1.5V conversion
Stable with ceramic or tantalum capacitor
Wide input voltage range:
VIN: 2.25V to 6.0V
+1.0% initial output tolerance
Fixed and adjustable output voltages:
MIC37300 — 3-pin fixed
MIC37301 — 5-pin fixed with flag
MIC37302 — 5-pin adjustable
Excellent line and load regulation specifications
Logic controlled shutdown
Thermal shutdown and current-limit protection
Reverse-leakage protection
Low profile S-Pak package
Applications
LDO linear regulator for low-voltage digital IC
PC add-in cards
High-efficiency linear power supplies
SMPS post regulator
Battery charger
Micrel, Inc. • 2180 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel + 1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 474-1000 • http://www.micrel.com
Super ßeta PNP is a registered trademark of Micrel, Inc.
VOUTVIN
ADJ
GND
VEN
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
R1
R2
1.3V
MIC37302
VIN
CIN
Adjustable Regulator
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
DROPOUT (mV)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Dropout vs.
Output Current
2.5VOUT
3.3VOUT
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
M9999-110305 2 November 2005
Ordering Information
Part Number Output Current Voltage** Junction Temp.
Range Package
Standard RoHS Compliant*
MIC37300-1.5BR MIC37300-1.5WR 3.0A 1.5V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-3
MIC37300-1.65BR MIC37300-1.65WR 3.0A 1.65V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-3
MIC37300-1.8BR MIC37300-1.8WR 3.0A 1.8V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-3
MIC37300-2.5BR MIC37300-2.5WR 3.0A 2.5V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-3
MIC37300-3.3BR MIC37300-3.3WR 3.0A 3.3V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-3
MIC37301-1.5BR MIC37301-1.5WR 3.0A 1.5V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-5
MIC3730-1.8BR MIC3730-1.8WR 3.0A 1.8V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-5
MIC37301-2.5BR MIC37301-2.5WR 3.0A 2.5V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-5
MIC37301-3.3BR MIC37301-3.3WR 3.0A 3.3V –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-5
MIC37302BR MIC37302WR 3.0A ADJ –40ºC to +125ºC S-Pak-5
MIC37302BU MIC37302WU 3.0A ADJ –40ºC to +125ºC TO-263-5
*RoHS Compliant with 'high-melting solder' exemption.
**Other voltages available. Contact Micrel for details.
Pin Configuration
5 FLG/ADJ
4 VOUT
3 GND
2 VIN
1 EN
S-PAK-5 (R)
TO-263-5 (U)
3 VOUT
2 GND
1 VIN
S-PAK-3 (R)
Pin Description
Pin Number Pin Number Pin Name Pin Function
TO-263-5 S-PAK-3
S-PAK-5
1 EN Enable (Input): CMOS compatible input. Logic high = enable, logic
low = shutdown.
2 1 VIN Input voltage which supplies current to the output power device.
3 2 GND Ground: TAB is connected to ground.
4 3 VOUT Regulator Output.
5 FLG Error Flag (Output): Open collector output. Active-low indicates an output
fault condition.
ADJ Adjustable Regulator Feedback Input: Connect to resistor voltage divider.
November 2005 3 M9999-110305
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
Electrical Characteristics(5)
TA = 25°C with VIN = VOUT + 1V; VEN = VIN; IL = 10mA; bold values indicate –40°C < TJ < +125°C; unless otherwise noted.
Parameter Condition Min Typ Max Units
Output Voltage Accuracy IL = 10mA –1 +1 %
10mA < IOUT < IL(max), VOUT + 1 ≤ VIN ≤ 6V –2 +2 %
Output Voltage Line Regulation VIN = VOUT +1.0V to 6.0V, IL = 10mA 0.02 0.5 %
Output Voltage Load Regulation IL = 10mA to 3A 0.2 1 %
VIN – VOUT; Dropout Voltage(6) IL = 1.5A 175 350 mV
IL = 3A 310 500 mV
Ground Pin Current(7) IL = 3A 27 40 mA
50 mA
Ground Pin Current in Shutdown VIL < 0.5V, VIN = VOUT + 1V 1.0 5 µA
Current Limit VOUT = 0 4.75 6.5 A
Start-up Time VEN = VIN, IOUT = 10mA, COUT = 47µF 170 500 µs
Enable Input
Enable Input Threshold Regulator enable 2.25 V
Regulator shutdown 0.8 V
Enable Pin Input Current VIL < 0.8V (Regulator shutdown) 2 µA
4 µA
VIH > 2.25V (Regulator enabled) 1 15 30 µA
75 µA
Flag Output
IFLG(LEAK) VOH = 6V 1 µA
2 µA
VFLG(LO) VIN = 2.25V, IOL = 250µA(8) 210 400 mV
500 mV
VFLG Low Threshold, % of VOUT below nominal 93 %
Hysteresis 2 %
High Threshold, % of VOUT below nominal 99.2 %
MIC37302 Only
Reference Voltage 1.228 1.240 1.252 V
1.215 1.265 V
Adjust Pin Bias Current 40 80 nA
120 nA
Notes:
1. Exceeding the absolute maximum ratings may damage the device.
2. The device is not guaranteed to function outside its operating rating.
3. PD(max) = (TJ(max) – TA) / θJA, where θJA, depends upon the printed circuit layout. See “Applications Information.”
4. Device is ESD sensitive. Handling precautions recommended.
5. Specification for packaged product only.
6. VDO = VIN – VOUT when VOUT decreased to 98% of its nominal output voltage with VIN = VOUT +1V. For output voltages below 1.75V, dropout volt-
age specification does not apply due to a minimum input operating voltage of 2.25V.
7. IGND is the quiescent current. IIN = IGND + IOUT.
8. For a 2.5V device, VIN = 2.250V (device is in dropout).
Absolute Maximum Rating(1)
Supply Voltage (VIN) ..................................................... 6.5V
Enable Input Voltage (VEN)(3) ....................................... 6.5V
Power Dissipation (PD)(3) ......................... Internally Limited
Junction Temperature (TJ) .................. –40°C ≤ TJ ≤ +125°C
Storage Temperature (TS) .................. –65°C ≤ TJ ≤ +150°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 5 sec.) ........................ 260°C
ESD(4)
Operating Maximum Rating(2)
Supply Voltage (VIN) .......................................2.25V to 6.0V
Enable Input Voltage (VEN) .................................0V to 6.0V
Junction Temperature Range (TJ) ...... –40°C ≤ TJ ≤ +125°C
Package Thermal Resistance
S-Pak (θJC) ....................................................... 2°C/W
TO-263-5 (θJC) .................................................. 2°C/W
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
M9999-110305 4 November 2005
Typical Characteristics
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
FREQUENCY (kHz)
Power Supply
Rejection Ratio
IOUT = 3A
COUT = 47µF
CIN = 0
VIN = 2.5V
VOUT = 1.5V
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
FREQUENCY (kHz)
Power Supply
Rejection Ratio
IOUT = 3A
COUT = 100µF
CIN = 0
VIN = 2.5V
VOUT = 1.5V
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
DROPOUT (mV)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Dropout vs.
Output Current
2.5VOUT
3.3VOUT
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
DROPOUT (mV)
TEMPERATURE(°C)
Dropout vs.
Temperature
2.5VOUT
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(1.5V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(2.5V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(3.3V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Ground Current
vs. Output Current
0
0.0001
0.0002
0.0003
0.0004
0.0005
0.0006
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (1.5V)
100mA
10mA
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (1.5V)
3A
2A
1A
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (2.5V)
3A
2A
1A
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (2.5V)
100mA
10mA
November 2005 5 M9999-110305
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (3.3V)
3A
2A
1A
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Ground Current
vs. Temperature
IOUT=1.5A
2.5VOUT
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE(°C)
Ground Current
vs. Temperature
IOUT=3A
2.5VOUT
2.4
2.45
2.5
2.55
2.6
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Output Voltage
vs. Temperature
2.5VOUT
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE(°C)
Ground Current
vs. Temperature
IOUT=10mA
2.5VOUT
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
2.25 3 3.75 4.5 5.25 6
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (A)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Short-Circuit Current
vs. Suppl
y
Voltage
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (A)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Short-Circuit Current
vs. Temperature
2.5VIN
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
FLAG VOLTAGE (V)
FLAG CURRENT (mA)
Flag Voltage
vs. Flag Current
5VIN
3.3VIN
2.5VIN
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
FLAG VOLTAGE (mV)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Flag Low Voltage
vs. Temperature
=250
µ
A
Flag Current
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
FLAG VOLTAGE (V)
RESISTANCE (kΩ)
Error Flag Pull-Up Resistor
F lag L ow (FAULT)
F lag High (OK)
VIN = 5V
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
ENABLE CURRENT (µA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Enable Current
vs. Temperature
2.5VE N
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
M9999-110305 6 November 2005
Functional Characteristics
OUTPUT CURRENT
(3A/div.)
OUTPUT VOL
T
AGE
(50mV/div.)
VIN = 3.3V
VOUT = 2.5V
COUT = 47µF Ceramic
Load Transient Response
10mA
3A
INPUT VOL
T
AGE
(2V/div.)
OUTPUT VOL
T
AGE
(50mV/div.)
COUT = 47µF Ceramic
Line Transient Response
3.3V
5V
ENABLE VOL
T
AGE
(2V/div.)
OUTPUT VOL
T
AGE
(1V/div.)
IOUT = 3A
VIN = 3.3V
COUT = 47µF
Enable Transient Response
2.5V
November 2005 7 M9999-110305
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
Applications Information
The MIC37300/01/02 is a high-performance low-dropout volt-
age regulator suitable for moderate to high-current regulator
applications. Its 500mV dropout voltage at full load and over-
temperature makes it especially valuable in battery-powered
systems and as high-efficiency noise filters in post-regulator
applications. Unlike older NPN-pass transistor designs, there
the minimum dropout voltage is limited by the based-to-emit-
ter voltage drop and collector-to-emitter saturation voltage,
dropout performance of the PNP output of these devices is
limited only by the low VCE saturation voltage.
A trade-off for the low dropout voltage is a varying base drive
requirement. Micrel’s Super ßeta PNP process reduces this
drive requirement to only 2% to 5% of the load current.
The MIC37300/01/02 regulator is fully protected from dam-
age due to fault conditions. Current limiting is provided. This
limiting is linear; output current during overload conditions
is constant. Thermal shutdown disables the device when
the die temperature exceeds the maximum safe operating
temperature. The output structure of these regulators allows
voltages in excess of the desired output voltage to be applied
without reverse current flow.
Thermal Design
Linear regulators are simple to use. The most complicated
design parameters to consider are thermal characteristics.
Thermal design requires the following application-specific
parameters:
Maximum ambient temperature (TA)
Output current (IOUT)
Output voltage (VOUT)
Input voltage (VIN)
Ground current (IGND)
First, calculate the power dissipation of the regulator from these
numbers and the device parameters from this datasheet.
PD = (VIN – VOUT) IOUT + VIN IGND
where the ground current is approximated by using numbers
from the “Electrical Characteristics” or “Typical Characteris-
tics.” Then the heat sink thermal resistance is determined
with this formula:
θSA = ((TJ(max) – TA)/ PD)(θJC + θCS)
Where TJ(max) < 125°C and θCS is between 0°C and 2°C/W.
The heat sink may be significantly reduced in applications
where the minimum input voltage is known and is large com-
pared with the dropout voltage. Use a series input resistor
to drop excessive voltage and distribute the heat between
this resistor and the regulator. The low-dropout properties of
Micrel’s Super ßeta PNP regulators allow significant reduc-
tions in regulator power dissipation and the associated heat
sink without compromising performance. When this technique
is employed, a capacitor of at least 1.0µF is needed directly
between the input and regulator ground.
Refer to “Application Note 9” for further details and examples
on thermal design and heat sink applications.
Output Capacitor
The MIC37300/01/02 requires an output capacitor for stable
operation. As a µCap LDO, the MIC37300/01/02 can operate
with ceramic output capacitors as long as the amount of ca-
pacitance is 47µF or greater. For values of output capacitance
lower than 47µF, the recommended ESR range is 200mΩ to
2Ω. The minimum value of output capacitance recommended
for the MIC37300 is 10µF.
For 47µF or greater, the ESR range recommended is less
than 1Ω. Ultra-low ESR, ceramic capacitors are recommended
for output capacitance of 47µF or greater to help improve
transient response and noise reduction at high frequency.
X7R/X5R dielectric-type ceramic capacitors are recom-
mended because of their temperature performance. X7R-type
capacitors change capacitance by 15% over their operating
temperature range and are the most stable type of ceramic
capacitors. Z5U and Y5V dielectric capacitors change value
by as much as 50% and 60%, respectively, over their operat-
ing temperature ranges. To use a ceramic chip capacitor with
Y5V dielectric, the value must be much higher than an X7R
ceramic capacitor to ensure the same minimum capacitance
over the equivalent operating temperature range.
Input Capacitor
An input capacitor of 1.0µF or greater is recommended when
the device is more than 4 inches away from the bulk supply
capacitance, or when the supply is a battery. Small, surface-
mount chip capacitors can be used for the bypassing. The
capacitor should be place within 1" of the device for optimal
performance. Larger values will help to improve ripple rejec-
tion by bypassing the input to the regulator, further improving
the integrity of the output voltage.
Transient Response and 3.3V to 2.5V, 2.5V to 1.8V or
1.65V, or 2.5V to 1.5V Conversions
The MIC37300/01/02 has excellent transient response to
variations in input voltage and load current. The device has
been designed to respond quickly to load current variations
and input voltage variations. Large output capacitors are not
required to obtain this performance. A standard 47µF output
capacitor, preferably tantalum, is all that is required. Larger
values help to improve performance even further.
By virtue of its low-dropout voltage, this device does not
saturate into dropout as readily as similar NPN-based
designs. When converting from 3.3V to 2.5V, 2.5V to 1.8V or
1.65V, or 2.5V to 1.5V, the NPN-based regulators are already
operating in dropout, with typical dropout requirements of
1.2V or greater. To convert down to 2.5V without operating in
dropout, NPN-based regulators require an input voltage of 3.7V
at the very least. The MIC37300/01/02 regulator will provide
excellent performance with an input as low as 3.0V or 2.25V,
respectively. This gives the PNP-based regulators a distinct
advantage over older, NPN-based linear regulators.
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
M9999-110305 8 November 2005
Minimum Load Current
The MIC37300/01/02 regulator is specified between finite
loads. If the output current is too small, leakage currents
dominate and the output voltage rises. A 10mA minimum
load current is necessary for proper operation.
Error Flag
The MIC37301 features an error flag circuit that monitors
the output voltage and signals an error condition when the
voltage is 5% below the nominal output voltage. The error
flag is an open-collector output that can sink 10mA during a
fault condition.
Low output voltage can be caused by a number of problems,
including an overcurrent fault (device in current limit) or low
input voltage. The flag is inoperative during overtemperature
shutdown.
Enable Input
The MIC37301/37302 also features an enable input for
on/off control of the device. Its shutdown state draws “zero”
current (only microamperes of leakage). The enable input is
TTL/CMOS compatible for simple logic interface, but can be
connected up to VIN. When enabled, it draws approximately
15µA.
Adjustable Regulator Design
IN
R1
VOUT
VIN
COUT
R2
EN
OUT
ADJ
GND
MIC37302
ENABLE
SHUTDOWN
V 1.240V 1 R1
R2
OUT = +
Figure 2. Adjustable Regulator with Resistors
The MIC37302 allows programming the output voltage any-
where between 1.24V and the 5.5V maximum operating rating
of the family. Two resistors are used. Resistors can be quite
large, up to 1MΩ, because of the very high input impedance
and low bias current of the sense comparator. The resistor
values are calculated by:
R1 R2 V
1.240 1
OUT
=
Where VOUT is the desired output voltage. Figure 2 shows
component definition. Applications with widely varying load
currents may scale the resistors to draw the minimum load
current required for proper operation (see above).
November 2005 9 M9999-110305
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
Package Information
1
θ
θ1
3
θ
4θ
1
θ
2
θ
3
θ
4θ
2θ
1θ
5-Pin TO-263-5 (U)
5-Pin S-PAK (R)
MIC37300/37301/37302 Micrel, Inc.
M9999-110305 10 November 2005
3-Pin S-PAK (R)
MICREL INC. 2180 FORTUNE DRIVE SAN JOSE, CA 95131 USA
TEL + 1 (408) 944-0800 FAX + 1 (408) 474-1000 WEB http://www.micrel.com
This information furnished by Micrel in this data sheet is believed to be accurate and reliable. However no responsibility is assumed by Micrel for its use.
Micrel reserves the right to change circuitry and specifications at any time without notification to the customer.
Micrel Products are not designed or authorized for use as components in life support appliances, devices or systems where malfunction of a product can
reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Life support devices or systems are devices or systems that (a) are intended for surgical implant into
the body or (b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in a significant injury to the user. A Purchaser's
use or sale of Micrel Products for use in life support appliances, devices or systems is a Purchaser's own risk and Purchaser agrees to fully indemnify
Micrel for any damages resulting from such use or sale.
© 2002 Micrel, Inc.