Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH ("Toshiba") has just announced the release of a new series of low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators in their ultra-miniature DFN4D package type. This new family of devices is specifically designed for miniature applications powered by small-scale batteries, significantly reducing power consumption and thereby elongating the usable lifetime.

The new TCR3LM series offers a comprehensive lineup of over thirty devices spanning the voltage range 0.8V DC to 5.0V DC with an input voltage (VIN) in the range 1.4V DC to 5.5V DC. Each device is capable of delivering up to 300mA of output current (IOUT).

The new TCR3LM series boasts enhanced drop-out performance with a typical dropout voltage (VDO) of just 137mV, allowing the output voltage to be achieved with a lower input voltage, thereby reducing battery drain. Additionally, the load transient response has been improved, enhancing the output stability when the load fluctuates. Toshiba has achieved a typical transient response of -70mV / +35mV at 2.8V-output, IOUT = 1mA 100mA, while also managing to reduce the quiescent current (IB(ON)) to a typical value of just 1.2μA.

The ultra-compact solution is housed in a DFN4D package measuring just 1.0mm × 1.0mm × 0.37mm, and the use of small ceramic capacitors on the input and output further reduces the overall solution size. Despite its small size, these feature-rich LDO regulators offer overcurrent and over-temperature protection, as well as an auto-discharge function.

The new TCR3LM series is now in mass production, catering to the increasing demand for battery-powered IoT equipment/modules, communications modules, wearable devices, and other miniature equipment, where designers must meet the ever-increasing expectations of engineers.