Power Regulation

1.3 Voltage Regulators

• Buck Converters:
  • What It Is: A DC-DC converter that steps down voltage to a lower level.
  • How It Works: Uses switching transistors and inductors to efficiently reduce voltage.
  • Uses: Powering low-voltage circuits from higher voltage sources.
  • Major Manufacturers: Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, STMicroelectronics.
• Boost Converters:
  • What It Is: A DC-DC converter that steps up voltage to a higher level.
  • How It Works: Stores energy in an inductor and releases it at a higher voltage.
  • Uses: LED lighting, portable devices.
  • Major Manufacturers: Infineon, Onsemi, Maxim Integrated.
• Low-Dropout Regulators (LDOs):
  • What It Is: A linear voltage regulator that provides stable output with minimal input-to-output voltage difference.
  • How It Works: Uses a pass transistor to maintain output voltage despite fluctuations.
  • Uses: Noise-sensitive applications like audio amplifiers.
  • Major Manufacturers: Linear Technology, Microchip, Toshiba.