Surface mount LDO easily paralleled for high IOUT without hot spots

Linear Technology’s LT3080 is a 1.1A 3-terminal LDO that may be easily paralleled for heat spreading and is adjustable with a single resistor. This architecture regulator uses a current reference to allow sharing between multiple regulators with a small length of PC trace as ballast, enabling multi-amp linear regulation in all surface-mount systems without heat sinks.

The LT3080 achieves high performance, and features a wide input voltage capability from 1.2 to 40V. It has a low dropout voltage of 300mV at full load. The output voltage is adjustable, spanning a wide range from 0 to 40V, and the on-chip trimmed reference achieves high accuracy of ±1%. The wide VIN & VOUT capability, tight line and load regulation, high ripple rejection, low external parts count and parallel capability make it ideal for modern multi-rail systems.

According to Linear Technology's VP/CTO Robert Dobkin, "The LT3080 regulator allows designers to have an all-surface mount solution in high current, noise-sensitive applications such as high-frequency serial data links. Also, with the ability to provide zero output, it can control powering down parts of the system. Having the collector of the pass transistor available further enhances the options of spreading the heat."

Linear Technology, www.linear .com