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Operating Principles of Linear Regulator

2015.09.03

Points of this article

・The regulation of linear regulator output is based on feedback loop control using an error amplifier.

Figure 1. General linear regulator

Figure 1. General linear regulator

Basically a linear regulator comprises input, output, and GND pins. In linear regulators with adjustable output, a feedback pin (Figure 1) is added that is fed back the output voltage.

Figure 2 provides a schematic view of the internal circuit of a linear regulator. Basically the internal circuit is composed of an error amplifier (op amp for error detection), a reference voltage source, and an output transistor. Although in the figure the output transistor is represented as a Pch MOSFET, Nch MOSFETs, as well as bipolar PNP and NPN transistors, are also used.

Figure 2. Overview of the internal circuit

Figure 2. Overview of the internal circuit

The operation of a linear regulator is completely analog. Its circuit is a feedback loop circuit which is one of the basic control circuits using an operational amplifier. Even when the input or load fluctuates and the output voltage begins to change, the error amplifier continuously monitors and compares the feedback voltage from the output of regulator with the reference voltage, regulates the power transistor so that the difference is zero, and maintains the VO value constant. This is regulation based on feedback loop control.

In concrete terms, the voltage of the non-inverted terminal of the error amplifier always acts to be equal to the VREF, and this ensures that the current flowing to the R2 remains constant. Since the current flowing to the R1 and R2 can be determined by the formula VREF÷R2,V0 is equal to the determined current ×（R1＋R2）, which is nothing but Ohm’s law. This is expressed in the following equation:

【Download Documents】 Linear Regulator Basics

This is a hand book for understanding the basics of linear regulators, such as operating principles, classification, characteristics by circuit configuration, advantages and disadvantages. In addition, typical specifications of linear regulators, efficiency and thermal calculations are also explained.

Operating Principles of Linear Regulator
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