TLE42502GHTSA1: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of the Low-Drop Voltage Regulator
The TLE42502GHTSA1 is a monolithic integrated low-drop voltage regulator designed to supply microprocessors and other digital logic in harsh automotive and industrial environments. As a member of Infineon’s renowned portfolio of power management ICs, it delivers a precise 5V output from an input voltage range of up to 42V, making it an exceptionally robust solution for a wide array of applications.
Core Architecture and Key Features
At its heart, the TLE42502GHTSA1 is a linear regulator based on a PNP pass transistor. This topology is key to its primary characteristic: a very low dropout voltage. With a maximum dropout of only 350 mV at a 150 mA load current, the device can maintain stable regulation even when the input voltage dips very close to the output level, conserving power and enhancing efficiency.
Its wide input voltage range from 3.0 V to 42 V provides significant headroom for handling the extreme voltage transients typical in the automotive environment, such as load-dump pulses. The device is also reverse polarity protected, safeguarding the circuit in the event of a battery connection error.
A critical feature for powering modern microcontrollers is the integrated enable (ON/OFF) input. This allows an external microcontroller to put the regulator into a low-quiescent current standby mode, drawing a typical current of just 3 µA, which is essential for meeting the strict low-power requirements in modern vehicles.
Furthermore, the regulator incorporates comprehensive protection mechanisms. These include internal current limiting to protect against short circuits, overtemperature shutdown to prevent thermal runaway, and an error flag output. This flag provides an early warning signal to the host microprocessor that the output voltage is dropping out of regulation, often due to an undervoltage or overtemperature condition, enabling a controlled system shutdown.
Application Spectrum
The combination of robustness, diagnostic features, and low quiescent current makes the TLE42502GHTSA1 ideal for:
Body Control Modules (BCMs) and Automotive Clusters
Engine Control Units (ECUs) and sensor supply
Industrial Control Systems requiring a stable 5V rail
Any application demanding a reliable, protected voltage supply in electrically noisy environments.
Package and Reliability
Housed in a PG-TO252-5-11 (DPAK-5) package, the device offers a compact footprint with excellent thermal performance, allowing it to dissipate heat effectively under full load conditions. It is specified for the stringent automotive temperature range of -40°C to 150°C (junction temperature), ensuring reliable operation under the hood.
The TLE42502GHTSA1 stands out as a highly reliable and feature-complete low-drop voltage regulator. Its robust design, tailored for harsh automotive environments, combined with critical features like an enable pin, error flag, and ultra-low quiescent current, makes it a superior choice for designers seeking a dependable power management solution for 5V digital cores.
Keywords:
Low-Dropout Regulator (LDO)
Automotive Grade
Wide Input Voltage Range
Error Flag Output
Low Quiescent Current
