Adding a 33Ω resistor between the input and output of a linear regulator, as shown in
Figure 1, boosts the regulator's output current to 200mA. Note: this technique requires that the application draws a known minimum output current.
IC1 by itself provides a maximum output current of 150mA, but for applications that require a slightly higher maximum while maintaining a finite minimum, the small resistor offers a simple and stable solution. For the Figure 1 circuit, adding the 33Ω resistor boosts the maximum by 50mA while imposing a minimum output current (I
MIN) of 50mA:
Figure 1. Adding a 33Ω resistor boosts the output current of this linear regulator from 150mA to 200mA (the application must draw a known minimum output current).
Like most linear regulators, IC1 is unable to maintain regulation by sinking current. If the output current (I
OUT) drops below I
MIN, the output voltage rises above the regulated level, as high as V
IN, according to Kirchoff's Law:
Figure 2 compares load regulation for the Figure 1 circuit with and without the extra resistor. The dotted line represents output voltage (with the resistor in place) when I
OUT drops below I
MIN.
Figure 2. Output-load regulation for the Figure 1 circuit shows that the application must draw a minimum output current (50mA, in this case).
This design idea appeared in the October 2005 issue of
Electronic Techniques (China).
© , Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
|
The content on this webpage is protected by copyright laws of the United States and of foreign countries. For requests to copy this content,
contact us.
APP 3865:
APPLICATION NOTE
3865,
AN3865,
AN 3865,
APP3865,
Appnote3865,
Appnote 3865
|
maxim_web:en/products/power,maxim_web:en/products/power/linear-regulator,maxim_web:en/products/comms/te-carrier-comms
maxim_web:en/products/power,maxim_web:en/products/power/linear-regulator,maxim_web:en/products/comms/te-carrier-comms