Current Limit
The MAX8875 includes a current limiter that monitors
and controls the pass transistor’s gate voltage, limiting
the output current to 390mA (typ). For design purpos-
es, consider the current limit to be 160mA min to
600mA max. The output can be shorted to ground for
an indefinite period of time without damaging the part.
Thermal-Overload Protection
When the junction temperature exceeds TJ= +170°C,
the thermal sensor signals the shutdown logic, turning
off the pass transistor and allowing the IC to cool. The
thermal sensor will turn the pass transistor on again after
the IC’s junction temperature cools by 20°C, resulting in
a pulsed output during continuous thermal-overload
conditions.Thermal-overload protection is designed to
protect the MAX8875 in the event of fault conditions. For
continuous operation, do not exceed the absolute maxi-
mum junction-temperature rating of TJ= +150°C.
Operating Region and Power Dissipation
The MAX8875’s maximum power dissipation depends
on the thermal resistance of the case and circuit board,
the temperature difference between the die junction
and ambient air, and the rate of air flow. The power dis-
sipation across the device is P = IOUT (VIN - VOUT). The
maximum power dissipation is:
PMAX = (TJ- TA) / (θJB + θBA)
where TJ- TAis the temperature difference between
the MAX8875 die junction and the surrounding air, θJB
(or θJC) is the thermal resistance of the package, and
θBA is the thermal resistance through the printed circuit
board, copper traces, and other materials to the sur-
rounding air.
The MAX8875’s ground pin (GND) performs the dual
function of providing an electrical connection to system
ground and channeling heat away. Connect GND to the
system ground using a large pad or ground plane.
Reverse-Battery Protection
The MAX8875 has a unique protection scheme that lim-
its the reverse supply current to 1mA when either VIN or
VSHDN falls below ground. The circuitry monitors the
polarity of these two pins and disconnects the internal
circuitry and parasitic diodes when the battery is
reversed. This feature prevents device damage.
__________Applications Information
Capacitor Selection and
Regulator Stability
For stable operation over the full temperature range
and with load currents up to 150mA, use a 1µF (min)
ceramic output capacitor with an ESR <0.2Ω. To
reduce noise and improve load-transient response, sta-
bility, and power-supply rejection, use large output
capacitor values, such as 10µF.
Note that some ceramic dielectrics exhibit large capac-
itance and ESR variation with temperature. With
dielectrics such as Z5U and Y5V, it may be necessary
to use 2.2µF or more to ensure stability at temperatures
below TA= -10°C. With X7R or X5R dielectrics, 1µF
should be sufficient at all operating temperatures. Also,
for high-ESR tantalum capacitors, 2.2µF or more and a
larger case size may be needed to maintain ESR in the
stable region. For a pin-compatible, functionally equiva-
lent device for use with a higher ESR output capacitor,
see the MAX8885. A graph of the Region of Stable
COUT ESR vs. Load Current is shown in the Typical
Operating Characteristics.
PSRR and Operation from
Sources Other than Batteries
The MAX8875 is designed to deliver low dropout voltages
and low quiescent currents in battery-powered systems.
Power-supply rejection is 60dB at low frequencies. See
the Power-Supply Rejection Ratio vs. Frequency graph in
the Typical Operating Characteristics.
Improve supply-noise rejection and transient response
by increasing the values of the input and output bypass
capacitors. The Typical Operating Characteristics show
the MAX8875’s line- and load-transient responses.
Dropout Voltage
A regulator’s minimum input-output voltage differential
(or dropout voltage) determines the lowest usable supply
voltage. In battery-powered systems, this will determine
the useful end-of-life battery voltage. Because the
MAX8875 uses a P-channel MOSFET pass transistor,
its dropout voltage is a function of drain-to-source
on-resistance (RDS(ON)) multiplied by the load current
(see Typical Operating Characteristics):
VDROPOUT = VIN - VOUT = RDS(ON) ·IOUT
MAX8875
150mA, Low-Dropout Linear Regulator
with Power-OK Output
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Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 266