Infineon TLE42642GHTSA2 5V Low-Dropout Voltage Regulator: Features, Applications, and Design Considerations
The Infineon TLE42642GHTSA2 is a monolithic integrated low-dropout voltage regulator designed to deliver a fixed 5V output with a maximum current of 150 mA. Housed in a surface-mount PG-TO263-5-11 package (also known as D2PAK), this IC is engineered for robust performance in the demanding environments of automotive and industrial electronics. Its combination of key features, protective functions, and high reliability makes it a cornerstone component for power management tasks.
Key Features and Specifications
The TLE42642GHTSA2 stands out due to its impressive set of characteristics tailored for stability and safety. A critical parameter is its very low dropout voltage, typically 200 mV at a full load of 150 mA. This allows the regulator to maintain a stable 5V output even when the input voltage dips close to 5.2V, which is essential for battery-powered applications where the input voltage decays over time.
Furthermore, the device exhibits extremely low quiescent current, typically just 40 µA. This low self-consumption is vital for minimizing power loss and extending battery life in always-on systems. The regulator also boasts excellent load and line regulation, ensuring a stable output despite fluctuations in input voltage or output current.
A suite of integrated protection mechanisms enhances its robustness:
Overcurrent Protection: Safely limits the output current during a short circuit.
Overtemperature Protection: Shuts down the device if the junction temperature exceeds safe limits, preventing thermal destruction.
Reverse Polarity Protection: Withstands input voltages as low as -42V, a crucial feature for automotive applications where jump-starting or incorrect battery connection can occur.
Primary Applications
The TLE42642GHTSA2 is explicitly designed for harsh environments, making it a preferred choice in several fields:
Automotive Electronics: Its ability to operate over a wide temperature range (-40°C to 150°C) and withstand voltage transients makes it ideal for powering body control modules, sensor systems, infotainment clusters, and instrument panels.
Industrial Control Systems: Used in PLCs, sensor interfaces, and actuator controls where a clean, stable voltage rail is mandatory for precise operation.
Consumer Electronics: Suitable for applications requiring a reliable, low-noise 5V supply from a higher unregulated input voltage.
Essential Design Considerations
Successful implementation of the TLE42642GHTSA2 requires attention to several design aspects:
1. Input and Output Capacitors: For stability and optimal transient response, a low-ESR ceramic capacitor is recommended at the output. A typical value of 1 µF is sufficient, but the datasheet should be consulted for specific conditions. An input capacitor (e.g., 100 nF) is advised, especially if the regulator is located far from the primary power source.
2. Thermal Management: Although the package offers good thermal performance, the power dissipation (P_diss = (V_in - V_out) I_out) must be calculated. Ensuring the junction temperature remains within limits is critical, which may require a sufficient copper area on the PCB attached to the tab of the D2PAK package for heat sinking.
3. Dropout Voltage: Designers must ensure that the minimum input voltage always remains above (V_out + V_dropout) under all load conditions to avoid losing regulation.
4. Enable Pin (EN): The device features an enable pin that allows for external switching, facilitating power sequencing and sleep mode control in energy-sensitive designs.
ICGOODFIND: The Infineon TLE42642GHTSA2 is a highly reliable, feature-rich 5V LDO regulator. Its extremely low dropout voltage and ultra-low quiescent current, combined with robust reverse polarity and overtemperature protection, make it an exceptional solution for creating stable power supplies in challenging automotive and industrial environments.
Keywords: Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulator, Automotive Electronics, Reverse Polarity Protection, Low Quiescent Current, Thermal Protection.
