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REF01/REF02/REF03
Rev. J | Page 13 of 20
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TERMINOLOGY
Dropout Voltage (VDO)
Dropout voltage, sometimes referred to as supply voltage
headroom or supply-output voltage differential, is defined as
the minimum voltage differential between the input and output
necessary for the device to operate.
constant
min
=
=
L
OUT
IN
DO
I
V
() ()
Since the dropout voltage depends upon the current passing
through the device, it is always specified for a given load
current.
Temperature Coefficient (TCVO)
The temperature coefficient relates the change in output voltage
to the change in ambient temperature of the device, as normal-
ized by the output voltage at 25°C. This parameter is expressed
in ppm/°C and can be determined by the following equation:
()
( )
[]
C
ppm/
10
C
25
6
o
×
×
=
1
2
OUT
1
OUT
2
OUT
T
V
TCV
T
V
T
V
where:
VOUT(25°C) is output voltage at 25°C.
VOUT(T1) is output voltage at temperature 1.
VOUT(T2) is output voltage at temperature 2.
Thermally Induced Output Voltage Hysteresis (ΔVOUT_HYS)
Thermally induced output voltage hysteresis represents the
change in output voltage after the device is exposed to a
specified temperature cycle. This may be expressed as either a
shift in voltage or a difference in ppm from the nominal output.
()
[]
V
C
25
_
TC
OUT
HYS
OUT
V
=
o
()
[]
ppm
10
C
25
C
25
6
_
×
=
o
OUT
TC
OUT
HYS
OUT
V
where:
VOUT(25°C)is output voltage at 25°C.
VOUT_TC is output voltage after temperature cycling.
Thermal hysteresis occurs mainly as a result of forces exhibited
upon the internal die by its packaging. The effect is more
pronounced in parts with smaller packages.
Long-Term Stability (ΔVOUT_LTD)
Long-term stability refers to the shift in output voltage at 25°C
after 1000 hours of operation in a 25°C environment. This may
also be expressed as either a shift in voltage or a difference in
ppm from the nominal output.
( )
()[]
V
0
_
t
V
t
V
ΔV
OUT
1
OUT
LTD
OUT
=
( )
()
[]
ppm
t
V
t
V
t
V
ΔV
OUT
1
OUT
LTD
OUT
6
0
_
10
×
=
where:
VOUT(t0) is VOUT at 25°C at time 0.
VOUT(t1) is VOUT at 25°C after 1000 hours of operation at 25°C.
Line Regulation
Line regulation refers to the change in output voltage in
response to a given change in input voltage. It is expressed in
either percent per volt, ppm per volt, or microvolt per volt
change in input voltage. This parameter accounts for the effects
of self-heating.
Load Regulation
Load regulation refers to the change in output voltage in
response to a given change in load current, and is expressed
in either microvolts per milliamp, ppm per milliamp, or ohms
of DC output resistance. This parameter accounts for the effects
of self-heating.