The differences between Linear,Switching and LDO regulators

Hi All,

Can anyone post all the differences between Linear,Switching and LDO regulators.

Please post it ASAP.


TIA.,


Regards
Deepak

Re: Voltage Regulators

Voltage regulators (DC-DC converter) are classified as either linear regulators or switching regulators.
Linear regulators is used to described an electronic regulator in which the voltage or current is controlled using transistors or other active devices as variable impedance elements. This type of regulator is called the linear regulator because the transistor (BJT) operates in the linear region, rather than in the saturation or cutoff region. In MOS transistor, it operates in saturation (pin-off) region, but the regulator is still known as a linear regulator.

Switching regulators, in contrast to linear regulators, use the transistors as switches that are either “on” or “off”, with the current or voltage controlled by pulse-width modulation or other modulation method.

LDO --> one kinds of linear regulator

Re: Voltage Regulators

LDO: low drop out. the ouptput voltage does not change too much

Re: Voltage Regulators

Hi,
Yes, LDO stands for Low drop out and it means that the regulator will function correctly even when the difference between Vin and Vout is as low as about 0.5V, such regulators are required if you are deriving Vcc from a battery so that the equipment will function for longer duration. Standard regulators require a Vin-Vo differential of around 2V.
Regards,
Laktronics