Infineon TLE4473GV55: A 5-V Low-Drop Voltage Regulator for Automotive Applications
In the demanding world of automotive electronics, where components must operate reliably under extreme temperatures, voltage fluctuations, and harsh electromagnetic conditions, power management is absolutely critical. The Infineon TLE4473GV55 addresses these challenges head-on, establishing itself as a cornerstone for powering microcontrollers, sensors, and other vital systems within a vehicle.
This integrated circuit is a 5-V, 400-mA low-dropout (LDO) linear voltage regulator. Its primary function is to take a higher input voltage from the vehicle's battery (typically ranging from 5.5 V to 45 V) and provide a clean, stable, and precisely regulated 5-V output. The "low-drop" characteristic is particularly important for automotive applications; it signifies that the regulator can continue to provide its specified 5-V output even when the input voltage dips very close to it, specifically with a typical dropout voltage of only 350 mV at full load. This ensures continuous operation during critical events like cranking the engine, when the battery voltage can sag significantly.
The TLE4473GV55 is engineered with robustness and reliability as its core design principles. It incorporates a comprehensive suite of protection features essential for the automotive environment:
Reverse Polarity Protection: The device can withstand a supply voltage of -40 V, preventing damage if the battery connections are accidentally reversed.
Overcurrent and Short-Circuit Protection: The built-in current limiter safeguards both the regulator and the load in case of a fault condition.
Overtemperature Protection: A thermal shutdown circuit disables the output if the junction temperature exceeds a safe limit, reactivating once the device has cooled.
Overvoltage Protection (Load Dump): It is designed to survive the notoriously harsh "load dump" transient, a voltage spike that can occur when the battery is disconnected while the alternator is still charging.
Furthermore, the device features an enable input that allows an external microcontroller to switch the regulator on or off, facilitating power management strategies to reduce quiescent current when the system is in a sleep mode. Its very low typical quiescent current of just 40 µA makes it ideal for always-on applications such as keyless entry systems or control units that need to remain in a standby state.
Housed in a PG-TO263-5-11 (DPAK) package, the TLE4473GV55 offers excellent thermal performance, efficiently dissipating heat into the printed circuit board to maintain stable operation over the vast automotive temperature range of -40 °C to 150 °C.
In summary, the Infineon TLE4473GV55 is a highly resilient and efficient LDO voltage regulator. Its combination of a wide input voltage range, low dropout voltage, comprehensive protective features, and AEC-Q100 qualification makes it an exceptional and reliable choice for powering 5-V loads in the challenging automotive environment, from powertrain and safety systems to body and comfort control modules.
Keywords:
Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulator
Automotive Grade
Load Dump Protection
5-V Voltage Regulator
Reverse Polarity Protection
