
AAT3238
300mA MicroPowerTM High Performance LDO Linear RegulatorPowerLinearTM
PRODUCT DATASHEET
83238.2011.08.1.8
www.analogictech.com
Applications Information
To assure the maximum possible performance is obtained
from the AAT3238, please refer to the following applica-
tion recommendations.
Input Capacitor
Typically,a 1µFor largercapacitorisrecommendedfor
CIN in most applications. A CIN capacitor is not required
for basic LDO regulator operation. However, if the
AAT3238 is physically located more than three centime-
ters from an input power source, a CIN capacitor will be
needed for stable operation. CIN should be located as
closely to the device VIN pin as practically possible. CIN
values greater than 1µF will offer superior input line
transient response and will assist in maximizing the
highest possible power supply ripple rejection.
Ceramic, tantalum, or aluminum electrolytic capacitors
may be selected for CIN.ThereisnospecificcapacitorESR
requirement for CIN. However, for 300mA LDO regulator
output operation, ceramic capacitors are recommended
for CIN due to their inherent capability over tantalum
capacitors to withstand input current surges from low
impedance sources such as batteries in portable devices.
Output Capacitor
Forproperloadvoltageregulationandoperationalstabil-
ity, a capacitor is required between pins VOUTandGND.
The COUT capacitor connection to the LDO regulator
ground pin should be made as direct as practically pos-
sible for maximum device performance.
The AAT3238 has been specifically designed to function
with very low ESR ceramic capacitors. For best perfor-
mance, ceramic capacitors are recommended.
Typical output capacitor values for maximum output cur-
rent conditions range from 1µF to 10µF. Applications
utilizing the exceptionally low output noise and optimum
power supply ripple rejection characteristics of the
AAT3238shoulduse2.2µForgreaterforCOUT
. If desired,
COUT may be increased without limit.
In low output current applications where output load is
less than 10mA, the minimum value for COUT can be as
lowas0.47µF.
Bypass Capacitor and
Low Noise Applications
A bypass capacitor pin is provided to enhance the low
noise characteristics of the AAT3238 LDO regulator. The
bypass capacitor is not necessary for operation of the
AAT3238.However,forbestdeviceperformance,asmall
ceramic capacitor should be placed between the bypass
pin(BYP)andthedevicegroundpin(GND).Thevalueof
CBYPmayrangefrom470pFto10nF.Forlowestnoiseand
best possible power supply ripple rejection performance,
a 10nF capacitor should be used. To practically realize
the highest power supply ripple rejection and lowest
output noise performance, it is critical that the capacitor
connectionbetweentheBYPpinandGND pinbedirect
andPCBtracesshouldbeasshortaspossible.Referto
thePCBLayoutRecommendationssectionofthisdocu-
ment for examples.
There is a relationship between the bypass capacitor
value and the LDO regulator turn-on and turn-off time.
In applications where fast device turn-on and turn-off
time are desired, the value of CBYP should be reduced.
In applications where low noise performance and/or
ripple rejection are less of a concern, the bypass capac-
itor may be omitted. The fastest device turn-on time will
be realized when no bypass capacitor is used.
DC leakage on this pin can affect the LDO regulator output
noiseandvoltageregulationperformance.Forthisreason,
theuseofalowleakage,highqualityceramic(NPOorC0G
type) or film capacitor is highly recommended.
Capacitor Characteristics
Ceramic composition capacitors are highly recommended
over all other types of capacitors for use with the
AAT3238. Ceramic capacitors offer many advantages
over their tantalum and aluminum electrolytic counter-
parts.AceramiccapacitortypicallyhasverylowESR,is
lower cost, has a smaller PCB footprint, and is non-
polarized. Line and load transient response of the LDO
regulatorisimprovedbyusinglow-ESRceramiccapaci-
tors. Since ceramic capacitors are non-polarized, they
are not prone to incorrect connection damage.
Equivalent Series Resistance
ESRisaveryimportantcharacteristictoconsiderwhen
selectingacapacitor.ESRistheinternalseriesresistance
associated with a capacitor that includes lead resistance,
internal connections, size and area, material composi-
tion,andambienttemperature.Typically,capacitorESR