Infineon TLE42744DV50 5V Voltage Regulator: Features, Applications, and Circuit Design Guidelines
The Infineon TLE42744DV50 is a monolithic integrated low-drop (LDO) voltage regulator designed to deliver a fixed 5V output voltage at a maximum current of up to 450 mA. Housed in a rugged PG-TO252-3 (DPAK) package, this IC is engineered for the demanding environments of automotive electronics but is equally suited for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications. Its combination of robustness, low power consumption, and comprehensive protection features makes it a premier choice for power management design.
Key Features
The TLE42744DV50 stands out due to its impressive set of features tailored for reliability and stability:
Low Dropout Voltage: With a typical dropout of only 450 mV at 400 mA load, the regulator can maintain a stable 5V output even when the input voltage dips close to 5.5V, enhancing efficiency and extending operational range in battery-powered systems.
Very Low Quiescent Current: The device features an extremely low typical quiescent current of 38 µA, which is crucial for minimizing power loss in always-on applications, such as those found in automotive standby systems.
Outstanding Protections: It incorporates a suite of protective features, including overload protection, short-circuit protection, and overtemperature shutdown. This ensures the IC and the downstream circuitry are safeguarded against fault conditions.
Reverse Polarity Protection: A critical feature for automotive applications, it can withstand an input voltage of -42V without being damaged, preventing failures during jump-start events or incorrect battery connection.
Wide Input Voltage Range: Operating from an input voltage range of 5.5V to 42V, it can handle load dump transients common in the automotive 12V and 24V power systems.
High Accuracy: The output voltage is accurate to within ±2%, providing a stable and reliable power source for sensitive microcontrollers and sensors.
Primary Applications
The robust nature of the TLE42744DV50 makes it ideal for a vast array of applications:

Automotive Body Control Modules (BCMs): Powering sensors, microcontrollers, and logic circuits within the vehicle.
Infotainment and Cluster Systems: Providing clean, stable power for audio systems and instrument displays.
Industrial Control Systems: Used in PLCs, factory automation, and sensor interfaces where electrical noise is prevalent.
Consumer Electronics: Suitable for any device requiring a stable 5V rail from a higher, unregulated DC source like a wall adapter or battery.
Permanent Electrical Consumer Systems: Ideal for always-on modules that require low quiescent current to prevent battery drain.
Circuit Design Guidelines
Implementing the TLE42744DV50 is straightforward, but following key guidelines ensures optimal performance:
1. Input Capacitor (CIN): A ceramic capacitor is recommended to be placed as close as possible to the IC's input pin. A value of 100 nF to 470 nF is typical to suppress high-frequency noise and ensure stability. For applications with long input lines or significant inductance, a larger electrolytic or tantalum capacitor (e.g., 10 µF) may be added for bulk storage.
2. Output Capacitor (COUT): The regulator is designed to be stable with a minimum output capacitance of 4.7 µF. A low-ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) ceramic capacitor is highly recommended. Place it close to the output and ground pins of the regulator to ensure stability and improve transient response.
3. Thermal Management: Although the PG-TO252-3 package offers good thermal performance, the power dissipation (PDISS = (VIN - VOUT) IOUT) must be calculated. For high current or high input voltage scenarios, adequate PCB copper area acting as a heat sink is essential to keep the junction temperature below the maximum rating of 150°C.
4. Layout Considerations: Use wide and short traces for the input, output, and ground paths to minimize parasitic inductance and resistance. The ground pin should be connected to a large ground plane for optimal heat dissipation and noise immunity.
ICGOODFIND Summary
The Infineon TLE42744DV50 is a highly robust and reliable 5V LDO voltage regulator, purpose-built for the harsh conditions of automotive electronics but versatile enough for industrial and consumer use. Its extremely low quiescent current, comprehensive protection suite (including reverse polarity and overtemperature), and ability to operate with a wide input voltage range make it an exceptional choice for designers seeking to create resilient and efficient power supply circuits.
Keywords: Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulator, Automotive Electronics, Reverse Polarity Protection, Low Quiescent Current, Voltage Regulation.
