Diodes Incorporated AP1184T5-33L-U
- Part No.:
- AP1184T5-33L-U
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Package:
- TO-220-5
- Datasheet:
-
AP1184T5-33L-U.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 3.3V 4A TO220-5
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:910
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Product details
Overview
AP1184T5-33L-U from Diodes Incorporated is a 4A ultra-low dropout positive fixed-mode linear regulator in TO220-5L package, delivering 3.3V output with 0.85V maximum dropout at 4A load, built-in thermal shutdown and current limiting, designed for GPU core supply from 5V/3.3V ATX rails in graphics card applications.
For engineers reviewing the AP1184T5-33L-U datasheet, AP1184T5-33L-U pinout, AP1184T5-33L-U application, or AP1184T5-33L-U equivalent, key selection factors include dropout voltage under full load, remote sensing capability via Vsense pin, control pin (Vctrl) biasing requirements, and thermal resistance (θJA = 31°C/W) for TO220-5L mounting.
Technical Context
The AP1184T5-33L-U uses an NPN pass transistor architecture with externally biased Vctrl pin-separate from Vin-to achieve ultra-low dropout without PNP base-current losses. It implements true remote sensing via dedicated Vsense pin, enabling load-regulation compensation across PCB trace resistance.
Its adjustable/fixed topology supports both resistor-programmed outputs (via Adj pin) and factory-set voltages (e.g., 3.3V); this variant is fixed-mode with internal reference trimmed to 3.300V ±3.5% at 10mA, and features fast transient response optimized for GPU current steps up to 4A in <500ns.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 3.300 V ±3.5% at 10mA; tight tolerance enables direct powering of 3.3V I/O domains without post-regulation. |
| Max Dropout Voltage | 0.85 V at 4A load; allows regulation from 4.0V input-ideal for 5V-to-3.3V conversion with minimal headroom loss. |
| Load Regulation | 26–33 mV over 0–4A; low drift ensures stable voltage during GPU dynamic load transients. |
| Ripple Rejection | 60–70 dB at 120Hz; suppresses switching noise from upstream DC/DC converters feeding Vin/Vctrl rails. |
| Thermal Resistance θJA | 31 °C/W (TO220-5L, 1oz copper); requires ≥3 in² copper pour or heatsink for continuous 4A operation at TA ≤45°C. |
| Control Pin Current | 25–70 mA at 4A load; Vctrl must be ≥Vout+1V and decoupled with ≥100µF capacitor for stability. |
| Current Limit Threshold | 4.2 A typical; provides hard current limiting to protect downstream GPU logic during short-circuit events. |
Pinout & Package
AP1184T5-33L-U is housed in a TO220-5L package with exposed tab electrically connected to Vout. The tab serves as primary thermal path and output connection point; mounting requires insulating hardware if heatsink is grounded.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Vout (Pin 1, Tab) | Regulated output | Main power delivery node; tab must be soldered to large copper area or heatsink for thermal management. |
| Vsense (Pin 2) | Remote sense input | Connects directly to load VDD point to compensate for PCB IR drop; enables ±1% load regulation accuracy. |
| Adj/GND (Pin 3) | Reference ground (fixed mode) | Internally tied to GND in fixed-output variants; no external resistor required-simplifies layout vs adjustable mode. |
| Vctrl (Pin 4) | Control circuit supply | Bias source for internal error amplifier and NPN base drive; must exceed Vout by ≥1V and use ≥100µF bulk capacitance. |
| Vin (Pin 5) | Main input supply | High-current input rail (e.g., ATX 5V); requires ≥1µF ceramic + bulk electrolytic for transient immunity. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low dropout architecture | Separate Vctrl pin enables 0.85V dropout at 4A-reduces power loss vs conventional LDOs by >40% at same load. |
| True remote sensing | Dedicated Vsense pin compensates for up to 50mΩ PCB trace resistance, maintaining ±1% output accuracy at load point. |
| Integrated protection | Thermal shutdown triggers at ~150°C junction; current limit holds output at 4.2A-prevents catastrophic failure during overload. |
| Fast transient response | Stable with 100–1000µF output capacitors; recovers within 500ns from 0→4A load step-meets GPU core supply timing specs. |
| Lead-free RoHS compliance | Meets EU Directive 2002/95/EC with full exemption documentation; suitable for commercial and industrial PCB assembly. |
Applications
| Graphics Card Core Supply | ATX Motherboard I/O Rail |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Powering GPU memory interface and PCIe controller logic requiring stable 3.3V at up to 4A peak current with sub-500ns transient recovery. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 3.3V LDO regulator with remote sensing; delivers low-noise, tightly regulated voltage synchronized to GPU clock domain. Use Value: Eliminates need for secondary switching stage-reduces BOM cost and EMI while meeting JEDEC JESD78 latch-up immunity via controlled current limit. | Use Scenario: Generating clean 3.3V for SATA controllers, USB hubs, and SMBus peripherals on ATX-compliant motherboards using existing 5V rail. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fixed-output linear regulator with independent Vctrl biasing; isolates sensitive I/O circuits from noisy 5V DC/DC ripple. Use Value: 70dB ripple rejection at 120Hz suppresses switching artifacts from main 5V converter, ensuring reliable USB 3.0 link training. |
| Industrial PLC I/O Module | Medical Imaging Sensor Interface |
Use Scenario: Providing isolated 3.3V supply to digital isolators and RS-485 transceivers in programmable logic controller backplanes with wide ambient temperature range. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-current LDO with thermal shutdown; maintains regulation during 85°C cabinet operation with derated 3.2A continuous output. Use Value: θJA = 31°C/W enables convection-cooled design-removes need for forced-air cooling in sealed enclosures. | Use Scenario: Biasing high-speed ADC front-ends and FPGA configuration banks in portable ultrasound probes where EMI-sensitive analog paths coexist with digital logic. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise linear regulator with remote sensing; places Vsense at ADC reference pin to nullify trace-induced offset errors. Use Value: 0.02%/W thermal regulation minimizes gain drift across probe operating temperature range (0–40°C). |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed-output LDO regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP1184K5-33L-U | Same die, TO263-5L package; θJA = 61°C/W (2oz copper), lower profile, surface-mount only. | Suitable for space-constrained PCBs but requires larger thermal pad area; less mechanical robustness than TO220 for vibration-prone systems. | Select when board real estate is limited and reflow-compatible thermal management is available. |
| TPS7A8300RGRT | 3A max output, 0.25V dropout at 3A, integrated soft-start, higher PSRR (75dB @ 1kHz), QFN-20 package. | Designed for RF/analog subsystems; lacks Vsense pin-no remote sensing; requires external enable sequencing. | Prefer for noise-critical analog rails where 3A suffices and remote sensing is unnecessary. |
Compared with AP1184K5-33L-U, the TO220-5L version offers superior mechanical reliability and simpler heatsinking, while TPS7A8300RGRT trades current capacity and sensing for lower noise and tighter transient control in compact layouts.
Availability
AP1184T5-33L-U is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for graphics card power delivery, ATX motherboard I/O regulation, and industrial PLC backplane supplies requiring stable component supply with long-lifecycle support.
Supply support for AP1184T5-33L-U includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Diodes Incorporated is a global semiconductor company specializing in discrete, analog, and mixed-signal ICs, with design centers in Asia, Europe, and the US, serving automotive, industrial, computing, and consumer markets.
The AP1184 product line targets high-current, ultra-low-dropout linear regulation for GPU and chipset power domains where efficiency, thermal performance, and transient response outweigh switching complexity.
FAQ
What is the minimum required capacitor on the Vctrl pin?
A minimum 100µF aluminum electrolytic capacitor is required between Vctrl and ground to ensure loop stability and prevent oscillation during load transients. This value is specified in the datasheet's "Pin Descriptions" section and validated across temperature and load conditions. Lower values risk instability, especially above 2A load.
Can AP1184T5-33L-U operate with Vin = Vout + 0.5V?
No-minimum dropout voltage is 0.70V at 4A load per Electrical Characteristics table. At Vin = Vout + 0.5V (i.e., 3.8V input), the device enters dropout and cannot maintain regulation. Sustained operation requires Vin ≥ 4.0V to guarantee 3.3V output across full temperature and load range.
Is remote sensing mandatory for AP1184T5-33L-U?
No-Vsense can be tied directly to Vout for local regulation, but doing so forfeits load-regulation accuracy. When Vsense is shorted to Vout, load regulation degrades from 26–33mV to ~150mV over 0–4A due to uncorrected PCB trace resistance, violating typical GPU voltage tolerance specs.
Why does AP1184T5-33L-U require separate Vctrl and Vin pins?
The Vctrl pin supplies bias to the internal control circuitry and NPN pass transistor base, allowing it to operate at higher voltage than Vin-enabling ultra-low dropout. This architecture decouples control-loop stability from input rail noise, unlike single-input LDOs, and permits optimization of each rail (e.g., clean 5V for Vctrl, noisy 3.3V for Vin).
AP1184T5-33L-U Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-5
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Discontinued at Digi-Key
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 16V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 3.3V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 0.85V @ 4A
- Current - Output:
- 4A
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 25 mA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- 70 mA
- PSRR:
- 70dB (120Hz)
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- Over Current, Over Temperature
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 125°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220-5
AP1184T5-33L-U FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AP1184T5-33L-U through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AP1184T5-33L-U on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for AP1184T5-33L-U reliable?
The price and inventory of AP1184T5-33L-U are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AP1184T5-33L-U is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AP1184T5-33L-U?
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4.How is shipping managed for AP1184T5-33L-U?
AP1184T5-33L-U orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AP1184T5-33L-U order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for AP1184T5-33L-U?
For technical support, including AP1184T5-33L-U datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AP1184T5-33L-U requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AP1184T5-33L-U is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AP1184T5-33L-U products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that AP1184T5-33L-U meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AP1184T5-33L-U?
All AP1184T5-33L-U units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AP1184T5-33L-U, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The AP1184T5-33L-U part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AP1184T5-33L-U:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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