lt3080-1 Linear Technology Corporation, lt3080-1 Datasheet - Page 10

• Manufacturer Part Number: lt3080-1
• Description: Parallelable 1.1a Adjustable Single Resistor Low Dropout Regulator
• Manufacturer: Linear Technology Corporation

LT3080-1
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
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
dielectrics used are specifi ed with EIA temperature char-
acteristic 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 coeffi cients 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 avail-
able 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 maximum
10
Figure 3. Ceramic Capacitor Temperature Characteristics
Figure 2. Ceramic Capacitor DC Bias Characteristics
–100
–100
–20
–40
–60
–80
–20
–40
–60
–80
40
20
20
0
0
–50
0
BOTH CAPACITORS ARE 16V,
1210 CASE SIZE, 10μF
–25
2
4
DC BIAS VOLTAGE (V)
0
TEMPERATURE (°C)
BOTH CAPACITORS ARE 16V,
1210 CASE SIZE, 10μF
6
25
8
Y5V
X5R
50
10
Y5V
75
12
X5R
100
14
30801 F02
3080 F03
125
16
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 signifi cant enough
to drop capacitor values below appropriate levels. Capaci-
tor DC bias characteristics tend to improve as component
case size increases, but expected capacitance at operating
voltage should be verifi ed.
Voltage and temperature coeffi cients are not the only
sources of problems. Some ceramic capacitors have a
piezoelectric response. A piezoelectric device generates
voltage across its terminals due to mechanical stress,
similar to the way a piezoelectric microphone works. For a
ceramic capacitor the stress can be induced by vibrations
in the system or thermal transients.
Paralleling Devices
LT3080-1’s may be directly paralleled to obtain higher
output current. The SET pins are tied together and the
IN pins are tied together. This is the same whether it’s in
three terminal mode or has separate input supplies. The
outputs are connected in common; the internal ballast
resistor equalizes the currents.
The worst-case offset between the SET pin and the output
of only ± 2 millivolts allows very small ballast resistors
to be used. As shown in Figure 4, the two devices have
internal ballast resistors, which at full output current gives
4.8V TO 28V
V
IN
1μF
V
V
CONTROL
CONTROL
Figure 4. Parallel Devices
V
V
IN
IN
SET
SET
165k
+
–
+
–
LT3080-1
LT3080-1
25mΩ
25mΩ
OUT
OUT
30801 F04
10μF
V
3.3V
2.2A
30801f
OUT