SBVS066S December   2005  – November 2024 TPS74401

PRODUCTION DATA  

  1.   1
  2. 1 Features
  3. 2 Applications
  4. 3 Description
  5. 4 Pin Configuration and Functions
  6. 5 Specifications
    1. 5.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings
    2. 5.2 ESD Ratings
    3. 5.3 Recommended Operating Conditions
    4. 5.4 Thermal Information
    5. 5.5 Electrical Characteristics
    6. 5.6 Typical Characteristics
  7. 6 Detailed Description
    1. 6.1 Overview
    2. 6.2 Functional Block Diagram
    3. 6.3 Feature Description
      1. 6.3.1 Enable, Shutdown
      2. 6.3.2 Power-Good (VQFN Package Only)
      3. 6.3.3 Internal Current Limit
      4. 6.3.4 Thermal Protection
    4. 6.4 Device Functional Modes
      1. 6.4.1 Normal Operation
      2. 6.4.2 Dropout Operation
      3. 6.4.3 Disabled
    5. 6.5 Programming
      1. 6.5.1 Programmable Soft-Start
      2. 6.5.2 Sequencing Requirements
  8. 7 Application and Implementation
    1. 7.1 Application Information
      1. 7.1.1 Input, Output, and Bias Capacitor Requirements
      2. 7.1.2 Transient Response
      3. 7.1.3 Dropout Voltage
      4. 7.1.4 Output Noise
    2. 7.2 Typical Applications
      1. 7.2.1 Setting the TPS74401
        1. 7.2.1.1 Design Requirements
        2. 7.2.1.2 Detailed Design Procedure
        3. 7.2.1.3 Application Curves
      2. 7.2.2 Using an Auxiliary Bias Rail
      3. 7.2.3 Without an Auxiliary Bias
    3. 7.3 Power Supply Recommendations
    4. 7.4 Layout
      1. 7.4.1 Layout Guidelines
        1. 7.4.1.1 Power Dissipation
        2. 7.4.1.2 Thermal Considerations
      2. 7.4.2 Layout Example
  9. 8 Device and Documentation Support
    1. 8.1 Documentation Support
      1. 8.1.1 Related Documentation
      2. 8.1.2 Device Nomenclature
    2. 8.2 Device Support
      1. 8.2.1 Development Support
        1. 8.2.1.1 Evaluation Modules
        2. 8.2.1.2 Spice Models
    3. 8.3 Receiving Notification of Documentation Updates
    4. 8.4 Support Resources
    5. 8.5 Trademarks
    6. 8.6 Electrostatic Discharge Caution
    7. 8.7 Glossary
  10. 9 Revision History
  11. 10Mechanical, Packaging, and Orderable Information

7.1 Application Information

The TPS74401 belongs to a family of ultra-low dropout regulators that feature soft-start. These regulators use a low current bias input to power all internal control circuitry, allowing the NMOS pass transistor to regulate very low output voltages with low VIN to VOUT headroom.

The use of an NMOS-pass FET offers several critical advantages for many applications. Unlike a PMOS topology device, the output capacitor has little affect on loop stability. This architecture allows the TPS74401 to be stable with any capacitor ≥ 2.2μF. Transient response is better than PMOS topologies, particularly for low VIN applications.

The TPS74401 features a programmable, voltage-controlled soft-start circuit that provides a smooth, monotonic start-up and limits startup inrush currents that can be caused by large capacitive loads. A power-good (PG) output is available to allow supply monitoring and sequencing of other supplies. An enable (EN) pin with hysteresis and de-glitch allows slow-ramping signals to be used for sequencing the device. The low VIN and VOUT capability allows for inexpensive, easy-to-design, and efficient linear regulation between the multiple supply voltages often present in processor intensive systems.