The LT?1117 is a positive low dropout regulator designed
to provide up to 800mA of output current. The device is
available in an adjustable version and fixed output voltages
of 2.85V, 3.3V and 5V. The 2.85V version is designed
specifically to be used in Active Terminators for the SCSI
bus. All internal circuitry is designed to operate down to 1V
input to output differential. Dropout voltage is guaranteed
at a maximum of 1.2V at 800mA, decreasing at lower load
currents. On chip trimming adjusts the reference/output
voltage to within ±1%. Current limit is also trimmed in
order to minimize the stress on both the regulator and the
power source circuitry under overload conditions.
The low profile surface mount SOT-223 package allows
the device to be used in applications where space is
limited. The LT1117 requires a minimum of 10mF of output
capacitance for stability. Output capacitors of this size or
larger are normally included in most regulator designs.
Unlike PNP type regulators where up to 10% of the output
current is wasted as quiescent current, the quiescent
current of the LT1117 flows into the load, increasing
efficiency.