Toshiba has launched a new generation of compact, low-noise power regulators aimed at improving the performance and battery life of smartphones, wearables, and other mobile devices.
The TCR5FM family of 35 low-dropout (LDO) regulators, announced today in Düsseldorf, is designed to offer a faster response to sudden shifts from standby to high-speed processing — a key challenge in battery-powered electronics, where rapid load changes can destabilise the DC power line.
Toshiba says the new series delivers an improvement of about 80% in load transient response compared with its existing TCR3RM devices. By detecting output-voltage fluctuations more quickly and providing faster feedback, the regulators minimise voltage variation during sharp load changes.
The company has also focused on reducing noise. The TCR5FM regulators achieve a typical ripple rejection ratio of 91dB. Toshiba attributes this to the combination of a bandgap circuit, a low-pass filter that allows only very low frequencies to pass, and a high-speed, low-noise operational amplifier. The approach is intended to support noise-sensitive components such as CMOS sensors and high-frequency circuits.
Each device in the series supports up to 500mA of output current and operates at temperatures up to +125°C. Output voltages range from 0.9V to 5.0V. All 35 variants are supplied in a 1mm by 1mm DFN4D package, reflecting continuing pressure on manufacturers to shrink power-management components for use in tightly packed mobile and wearable products.
Toshiba said it plans to continue expanding its LDO regulator portfolio to meet the needs of engineers working on power-sensitive designs.
