Infineon TLE42664GHTMA2 42V Low-Drop Voltage Regulator: Features and Application Circuit Design
The Infineon TLE42664GHTMA2 is a monolithic integrated low-drop voltage regulator designed for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications. Its ability to handle input voltages up to 42V and deliver a stable, precise 5V output at currents up to 250mA makes it a robust solution for powering microcontrollers, sensors, and other critical logic components in harsh electrical environments.
Key Features
This regulator is distinguished by a suite of features engineered for high reliability and system safety:
Wide Input Voltage Range: Operates from 5.5V to a maximum of 42V, with transient voltage capability up to 45V, making it ideal for 12V and 24V automotive systems that must endure load-dump and other voltage transients.
Very Low Current Consumption: Features a low quiescent current in operation and an even lower quiescent current in standby mode, which is crucial for modern applications with strict energy efficiency requirements.
Comprehensive Protection Functions: The IC includes overload protection, short-circuit protection, and overtemperature protection. These features safeguard both the regulator itself and the connected load from damage under fault conditions.
Reverse Polarity Protection: Withstands reverse voltages at the input, a critical feature for automotive applications where incorrect battery connection is a possibility.
Enable Function: An enable pin allows for external switching of the regulator, facilitating power management strategies to reduce system-wide energy consumption.
High Accuracy Output Voltage: The output voltage is guaranteed to within ±2% accuracy over the entire temperature and load range, ensuring a reliable reference for sensitive electronics.
Application Circuit Design
A typical application circuit for the TLE42664GHTMA2 is straightforward, requiring only a few external components for stable operation. The basic design is centered around the IC's pin configuration (e.g., Input, Ground, Output, Enable).
1. Input Stage (VIN Pin):
A critical design element is the input capacitor (CIN). A low-ESR ceramic capacitor with a value of 100nF to 470nF should be placed as close as possible to the VIN pin and ground. This capacitor is vital for stabilizing the input supply, suppressing high-frequency noise, and ensuring stability during line transients. For environments with extreme voltage spikes (e.g., automotive load dump), a larger bulk capacitor (e.g., 10µF to 47µF) may be required upstream.
2. Output Stage (VQ Pin):
The output requires a capacitor for stability and load transient response. A 1µF ceramic output capacitor (CQ) is typically sufficient. Like the input capacitor, it must have low ESR and should be positioned very close to the regulator's output and ground pins to minimize parasitic inductance. This capacitor ensures loop stability and provides the necessary charge for sudden changes in load current.
3. Enable Control (EN Pin):
The Enable pin is a high-impedance CMOS input. It can be left floating for default operation (always on) or connected to a microcontroller GPIO pin or a voltage divider for controlled switching. To enable the regulator, the voltage on this pin must be pulled above the typical threshold of 2.1V. Pulling it below 0.8V switches the regulator into a low-power standby mode. A pull-down resistor may be used to ensure a defined off-state.
4. Thermal Management:
Although the device includes overtemperature protection, proper PCB layout is essential for optimal performance. The exposed pad (PG-TO263-5) must be soldered to a copper area on the PCB to act as a heatsink. This copper pour helps dissipate heat, especially when the device is operating with a high input-to-output voltage differential at maximum load.
ICGOODFIND Summary
The Infineon TLE42664GHTMA2 is a highly resilient and feature-rich low-drop voltage regulator, purpose-built for demanding automotive and industrial environments. Its robust integration of protections, wide operating range, and simple application requirements make it an excellent choice for designers seeking a reliable and compact power management solution.
Keywords: Low-Drop Regulator, Automotive Grade, 42V Input, 5V Output, Protection Features
