What is the difference of LDO regulator and DC-DC converter?

difference between dc-dc converters and ldo

What is the difference of LDO regulator and DC-DC converter?

As i know both the LDO regulator and DC-DC converter can output a fiexed voltage level, like Torex's XC6201-LDO regulator and XC9201-DCDC down converter. But i am confusing about how to choose between them for circuit design???

Thx a lot!!!

differences between the switch regulator + ldo

Dear,

DC-DC Converters are usually switching regulator and can be Step Down or
Step up Converter.(for Both Negative and Positive Voltages) and they can convert

positive voltages to negative and negative to positive.

usually they can provide high current as much as 3 Amps and more.

LDO Regulators are Low DropOut Regulator.They are linear regulator that can
operate with about 0.2V difference between Input and output.Usual linear regulators

need at least 2 or 3 volts voltage difference between input and ouput.and finally their

output voltage is always lower than input voltage.and they provide low currents.

In Comparison with DC-DC Regulators:

LDO : Linear Regulator DC-DC : Switching Regulator
LDO : only step down DC-DC : step down or step up or Negative voltage<--->Positive voltage
LDO : usually low current DC-DC : Low Current or High Current
LDO : Verry Low output noise DC-DC : usually have switching noise


Good Luck.

ldo versus dc-dc switching

Linear regulators only step down and efficiency is equivalent to the output voltage divided by input voltage.

A switching regulator is a circuit that uses an inductor, a transformer, or a capacitor as an energy-stored element to transfer energy from input to output in discrete packets. Feedback circuitry regulates the energy transfer to maintain a constant voltage within the load limits of the circuit.
Switching regulators pass an energy in descrete packets over a low-resistance switch, so they can step up, step down,and invert.
They also offer higher efficiency than linear regulators.
Using a transformer as energy-storage element also allows the output voltage to be electricaly isolated from the input voltage.
The one disadvantage of the switching regulator is noise.

ldo vs dc-dc

it's very good for memarian's explainaton between LDO and DC/DC. In addition, high efficiency for DC/DC is another merit. but complex for design not only inside chip design but also outside chip design.
fyi,thanx.

negative to positive ldo

Hi,
For high power application, suggest to use DC-DC converter
For low drop voltage and low power application, suggest to use LDO.
FYI.