Infineon TLE4254GAXUMA3 5V Low-Drop Voltage Regulator: Datasheet, Pinout, and Application Circuit Guide
The Infineon TLE4254GAXUMA3 is a monolithic integrated low-drop voltage regulator designed for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications. This robust device delivers a fixed 5V output voltage at a maximum current of up to 250 mA, making it an ideal solution for powering microcontrollers, sensors, and other logic circuits. Its key strength lies in its ability to maintain stable operation under the harsh electrical conditions found in vehicles.
Key Features and Datasheet Highlights
A thorough review of the datasheet reveals the IC's exceptional capabilities. The "low-drop" characteristic is paramount; the regulator requires a minimal voltage difference between its input and output to function. With a typical dropout voltage of only 400 mV at a full load of 250 mA, it can continue to provide a stable 5V output even as the input voltage dips close to 5.4V, which is crucial for cold-crank and start-stop scenarios in automobiles.
Beyond this, the TLE4254GAXUMA3 is engineered for resilience. It features comprehensive built-in protection mechanisms, including:
Short-Circuit Protection: Safely limits output current if the output is shorted to ground.
Overcurrent Protection: Inherently limits the maximum output current.
Overtemperature Protection: Shuts down the device if the junction temperature exceeds safe limits, preventing thermal destruction.
Reverse Polarity Protection: Can withstand a negative voltage at the input pin for a limited time, a common fault in automotive environments.
Additional datasheet highlights include very low quiescent current in standby mode, excellent load and line regulation, and an enable (EN) input that allows for external switching of the regulator, facilitating power management strategies.
Pinout Configuration (PG-DSO-8-37 package)
The device is housed in a PG-DSO-8-37 (exposed pad) package for enhanced thermal performance.
1. IN: Input voltage pin (3.5V to 42V). A capacitor must be connected between this pin and GND.
2. GND: Ground pin.
3. EN: Enable input (active high). A voltage above a certain threshold (e.g., ~2V) turns the regulator on. Can be tied directly to IN if not used.
4. NC: No internal connection.
5. OUT: Regulated 5V output. A capacitor must be connected between this pin and GND for stability.
6. Q: Status output (open-collector). This pin goes low if the output voltage is out of regulation (e.g., due to overtemperature or dropout).
7. GND: Ground pin.
8. IN: Input voltage pin (internally connected to pin 1).
Exposed Pad (EP): Must be soldered to the PCB ground plane for heat dissipation.
Typical Application Circuit Guide
A standard application circuit for the TLE4254GAXUMA3 is straightforward to implement, which is a significant advantage for designers.
1. Input Filtering: Connect a ceramic capacitor (e.g., 100 nF) close to the IN pin and a larger electrolytic or tantalum capacitor (e.g., 4.7 µF to 22 µF) between the IN pin and GND to suppress input voltage fluctuations and transients.
2. Output Stabilization: Connect a low-ESR ceramic capacitor (e.g., 1 µF to 10 µF) from the OUT pin to GND. This is critical for ensuring stability and good transient response. Place it as close to the regulator as possible.
3. Enable Control: The EN pin can be driven directly by a microcontroller's GPIO pin for on/off control. If this feature is not required, connect the EN pin to the IN pin.
4. Status Monitoring: The Q (quality) pin requires an external pull-up resistor (e.g., 10 kΩ) to a logic voltage level (e.g., 5V or 3.3V). It can then be monitored by a microcontroller to detect a fault condition.
5. Thermal Management: Ensure the exposed pad on the underside of the package is soldered to a sufficient copper area on the PCB connected to ground. This is essential for dissipating heat, especially when operating at high input voltages or high load currents.
The Infineon TLE4254GAXUMA3 stands out as an exceptionally robust and reliable 5V LDO regulator tailored for demanding environments. Its very low dropout voltage, comprehensive suite of integrated protection features, and simple application requirements make it a superior choice for automotive electronic control units (ECUs) and industrial power supplies. Its diagnostic capability via the status pin adds an extra layer of system integrity, ensuring stable and safe operation where failure is not an option.
Keywords:
Low-Dropout Regulator (LDO)
Automotive Grade
5V Voltage Regulator
Short-Circuit Protection
Dropout Voltage
