LDOs are linear regulators and therefore their efficiency is lower than switching regulators.
LDOs are linear regulators and therefore their efficiency is lower than switching regulators.

To get the most out of your LDO application
To get the most out of your LDO application

the LDO power dissipation needs to be carefully considered
the LDO power dissipation needs to be carefully considered

So let’s examine LDO power dissipation in more detail.
So let’s examine LDO power dissipation in more detail.

When choosing an LDO
When choosing an LDO

the maximum LDO input voltage range and LDO current capability are important factors to consider.
the maximum LDO input voltage range and LDO current capability are important factors to consider.

But, larger current or larger voltage drop across the LDO
But, larger current or larger voltage drop across the LDO

quickly leads to higher device power dissipation
quickly leads to higher device power dissipation

This plot shows the relation between LDO power dissipation, LDO voltage drop and LDO current
This plot shows the relation between LDO power dissipation, LDO voltage drop and LDO current

When power dissipation increases,
When power dissipation increases,

The LDO package needs to be able to handle this powe dissipation.
The LDO package needs to be able to handle this powe dissipation.

The power dissipation in the LDO is determined by the voltage drop across the LDO
The power dissipation in the LDO is determined by the voltage drop across the LDO

multiplied by the current passing through the LDO.
multiplied by the current passing through the LDO.

This power is dissipated in the LDO pass element, which heats the silicon die.
This power is dissipated in the LDO pass element, which heats the silicon die.

But how much power can you actually dissipate in the LDO?
But how much power can you actually dissipate in the LDO?

This depends on the IC package, the PCB layout and the ambient temperature.
This depends on the IC package, the PCB layout and the ambient temperature.

Let’s have a look at some examples.
Let’s have a look at some examples.

Here is a drawing of the small SOT23 package in a normal layout.
Here is a drawing of the small SOT23 package in a normal layout.

When you look inside the package you can see that the center pin is connected to the die mounting lead frame.
When you look inside the package you can see that the center pin is connected to the die mounting lead frame.

The silicon die is mounted underneath on this center pin lead frame.
The silicon die is mounted underneath on this center pin lead frame.

When the silicon die is becoming hot
When the silicon die is becoming hot

this heat will be transferred to several parts of the package:
this heat will be transferred to several parts of the package:

Some heat goes through the plastic directly to the ambient.
Some heat goes through the plastic directly to the ambient.

Some heat goes through the pins to the PCB copper and then to the ambient.
Some heat goes through the pins to the PCB copper and then to the ambient.

Due to the thin bonding wires
Due to the thin bonding wires

he outer pins do not have a good thermal connection with the silicon die,
he outer pins do not have a good thermal connection with the silicon die,

and their heat transfer to the PCB is limited
and their heat transfer to the PCB is limited

The center ground pin has a good thermal connection to the silicon die
The center ground pin has a good thermal connection to the silicon die

so more heat is transferred via this pin
so more heat is transferred via this pin

To improve the cooling capabilities of this package
To improve the cooling capabilities of this package

it is important to add some extra copper to the pins
it is important to add some extra copper to the pins

especially to the center ground pin
especially to the center ground pin

With improved layout, more power can be dissipated without overheating the silicon die
With improved layout, more power can be dissipated without overheating the silicon die

Here is a different IC package: the popular SOP-8 package with exposed pad.
Here is a different IC package: the popular SOP-8 package with exposed pad.

In this package, the silicon die is mounted on a separate copper pad
In this package, the silicon die is mounted on a separate copper pad

which has an exposed surface at the bottom of the package
which has an exposed surface at the bottom of the package

In the PCB layout
In the PCB layout

this exposed pad should always be connected to a copper area underneath the IC
this exposed pad should always be connected to a copper area underneath the IC

When the die gets hot
When the die gets hot

some heat will flow through the plastic package and some heat will flow through the pins.
some heat will flow through the plastic package and some heat will flow through the pins.

However, the majority of heat will flow through the exposed pad,
However, the majority of heat will flow through the exposed pad,

provided there is enough PCB copper connected to it
provided there is enough PCB copper connected to it

It is therefore important to connect sufficient copper to the exposed pad,
It is therefore important to connect sufficient copper to the exposed pad,

to allow more heat flow via this route
to allow more heat flow via this route

When you use a multi-layer PCB,
When you use a multi-layer PCB,

you can add several vias under the exposed pad which can connect to the PCB inner layers
you can add several vias under the exposed pad which can connect to the PCB inner layers

These will act as effective heat sinks
These will act as effective heat sinks

and allows you to dissipate more power in this package.
and allows you to dissipate more power in this package.

So how much power can you dissipate in each package?
So how much power can you dissipate in each package?

You can calculate the allowed power dissipation by dividing the allowed temperature difference
You can calculate the allowed power dissipation by dividing the allowed temperature difference

between junction and ambient by the thermal resistance between junction and ambient.
between junction and ambient by the thermal resistance between junction and ambient.

The thermal resistance value - theta junction amaient is shown in the datasheet,
The thermal resistance value - theta junction amaient is shown in the datasheet,

but keep in mind that this value is based on the JEDEC method
but keep in mind that this value is based on the JEDEC method

which can be a bit conservative
which can be a bit conservative

Here are some practical power dissipation limits for various package types
Here are some practical power dissipation limits for various package types

based on a normal PCB layout
based on a normal PCB layout

with some extra copper connected to the package pins and thermal pad
with some extra copper connected to the package pins and thermal pad

a maximum PCB ambient temperature of 60℃
a maximum PCB ambient temperature of 60℃

and a maximum silicon die temperature of 125 ℃
and a maximum silicon die temperature of 125 ℃

If your ambient temperature is lower
If your ambient temperature is lower

the power dissipation can be higher.
the power dissipation can be higher.

If your PCB is small, or there are other hot components nearby
If your PCB is small, or there are other hot components nearby

the maximum power dissipation may be less
the maximum power dissipation may be less

I hope you now have a better understanding
I hope you now have a better understanding

about power dissipation and thermal condistions to LDOs
about power dissipation and thermal condistions to LDOs

For more information on Richtek LDOs,
For more information on Richtek LDOs,

Please click the link at the left side,
Please click the link at the left side,

or visit Richtek websit at:
or visit Richtek websit at:

www.richtek.com
www.richtek.com