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Diodes Incorporated AP1186T5-15L-U
- Part No.:
- AP1186T5-15L-U
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Package:
- TO-220-5
- Datasheet:
-
AP1186T5-15L-U.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 1.5V 1.5A TO220-5
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:980
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Product details
Overview
AP1186T5-15L-U from Diodes Incorporated is a 1.5A ultra-low dropout positive fixed-mode linear regulator in TO220-5L package, delivering 1.5V output with ≤0.38V dropout at 1.5A load, built-in thermal shutdown and current limiting, and optimized for GPU core supply in ATX-based graphics cards requiring stable 2.4–2.7V rails.
For engineers reviewing the AP1186T5-15L-U datasheet, AP1186T5-15L-U pinout, AP1186T5-15L-U application, or AP1186T5-15L-U equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage under full load, remote sensing capability via Vsense pin, control pin (Vctrl) biasing requirements, and thermal resistance (ΘJC = 2.5°C/W) for heatsink design in high-current DC/DC post-regulation.
Technical Context
The AP1186T5-15L-U uses an NPN pass transistor architecture with externally biased Vctrl pin-enabling sub-0.4V dropout by decoupling base drive from Vin-unlike conventional PNP LDOs. Its five-terminal topology separates Vout and Vsense to support true remote load sensing, compensating for PCB trace IR drop.
It operates with fixed 1.5V output (±2% tolerance at 10mA), requires ≥100µF output capacitance for stability, and mandates Vctrl > Vout + 1V to sustain regulation. Thermal shutdown activates above 150°C junction temperature, and current limit triggers at 1.6A typical.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | Fixed 1.5V ±2% at 10mA; tight initial accuracy enables direct GPU core supply without trimming. |
| Dropout Voltage (Vin−Vout) | 0.26V min / 0.38V max at 1.5A; allows regulation from 3.3V ATX rail down to 1.5V with minimal power loss. |
| Load Regulation | 12–15mV over 0–1.5A load range; ensures stable voltage during GPU dynamic current transients. |
| Thermal Resistance ΘJC | 2.5°C/W (TO220-5L); defines heatsink interface requirement for continuous 1.5A operation at ambient ≤45°C. |
| Control Pin (Vctrl) Requirement | Vctrl ≥ Vin + 1V; must be supplied from separate higher-voltage rail (e.g., 5V ATX) to enable low-dropout operation. |
| Stability Capacitance | ≥100µF aluminum electrolytic at Vout; minimum value ensures loop stability and transient response under microprocessor loads. |
| Current Limit Threshold | 1.6A typical; protects against short-circuit faults while supporting GPU peak current demands. |
Pinout & Package
AP1186T5-15L-U is housed in a lead-free TO220-5L package with exposed tab electrically connected to Vout. The tab serves as primary thermal path and must be mounted to a heatsink or copper pour.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Vout | Regulated output | Main power output terminal; tab-connected for thermal conduction and low-impedance return path. |
| 2: Vsense | Remote voltage sense input | Connects directly to load point to compensate PCB trace resistance; requires ≥10µF bypass capacitor to ground. |
| 3: Adj (GND) | Adjust reference ground | Ground reference for internal 1.25V bandgap; tied to GND in fixed-mode variants like AP1186T5-15L-U. |
| 4: Vctrl | Control circuit supply | Provides base drive for NPN pass transistor; must exceed Vout by ≥1V and be bypassed with ≥100µF capacitor. |
| 5: Vin | Input supply | Main input rail (e.g., 3.3V ATX); must remain > Vout + dropout voltage during all load transients. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low dropout | 0.38V max at 1.5A enables efficient 3.3V-to-1.5V conversion without switching complexity. |
| True remote sensing | Separate Vsense pin compensates for up to ~50mΩ PCB trace resistance, maintaining ±1% load regulation at point-of-load. |
| Independent Vctrl biasing | Vctrl supplied from higher rail (e.g., 5V) eliminates base current burden on Vin, reducing input power loss. |
| Fast transient response | Optimized internal compensation supports <500ns current steps-critical for GPU core voltage stability. |
| Integrated protection | Thermal shutdown and current limiting prevent damage during overload or inadequate heatsinking conditions. |
Applications
| GPU Core Power Supply | ATX Motherboard Post-Regulation |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Providing tightly regulated 1.5V supply to discrete graphics processing units (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon chipsets) requiring 2.4–2.7V nominal but tolerant of 1.5V test/standby modes. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary linear post-regulator converting 3.3V ATX rail to GPU core voltage with remote sensing at VRM output stage. Use Value: Eliminates need for costly synchronous buck converters in low-power or legacy GPU designs while meeting ±1.5% total voltage tolerance including transients. |
Use Scenario: Generating auxiliary 1.5V rails for memory I/O buffers or chipset logic on desktop motherboard designs using standard ATX power supplies. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fixed-output LDO supplying noise-sensitive logic blocks where switching ripple from DC/DC converters is unacceptable. Use Value: Delivers 70dB ripple rejection at 120Hz, suppressing AC line noise from shared ATX inputs without additional filtering. |
| Industrial FPGA I/O Bank | Test Equipment Reference Voltage |
|
Use Scenario: Powering configurable I/O banks in Xilinx or Intel FPGAs operating at 1.5V LVCMOS levels in programmable logic controllers or data acquisition systems. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision local regulator ensuring stable I/O voltage across wide temperature range (0–150°C junction). Use Value: Maintains 1.5V ±2% over full load (0–1.5A) and temperature, preventing I/O timing violations during burst-mode operation. |
Use Scenario: Generating stable 1.5V reference for calibration circuits or analog front-ends in benchtop multimeters and signal generators. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise, low-drift voltage source with remote sensing to reject board-level thermal gradients. Use Value: Achieves 0.02%/W thermal regulation and <15mV load regulation-critical for sub-0.1% measurement accuracy. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP1186K5-15L-U | Same die, TO263-5L package; ΘJC = 2.5°C/W but lower ΘJA (25–45°C/W vs. TO220's ~50°C/W); requires surface-mount layout. | Better thermal performance in space-constrained PCBs; no through-hole mounting option. | Select when board real estate is limited and reflow assembly is available; avoid if manual repair or mechanical robustness is required. |
| AP2202K-15 | 150mA max output, SOT-23-5 package; no Vctrl pin; 300mV dropout at 150mA; lacks remote sensing. | Only suitable for low-current logic rails-not GPU or FPGA core power. | Use only for <200mA applications where cost and size outweigh performance; not a functional replacement for AP1186T5-15L-U. |
Compared with AP1186K5-15L-U, the T5 variant offers through-hole mechanical reliability and easier heatsink attachment, while AP2202K-15 fails to meet the 1.5A load and remote sensing requirements-making neither a drop-in substitute, but the K5 variant is the only viable package-alternative for identical electrical function.
Availability
AP1186T5-15L-U is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for GPU core power supply, ATX motherboard post-regulation, and industrial FPGA I/O bank applications requiring stable component supply despite its obsolete status-inventory is secured for legacy system support and long-life production.
Supply support for AP1186T5-15L-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 manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, specializing in high-reliability power management, signal integrity, and protection solutions for computing, industrial, and consumer markets.
The AP1186 product line was designed specifically for ultra-low dropout linear regulation in ATX-compliant graphics and motherboard systems-targeting GPU core supply where switching noise and complexity must be avoided.
FAQ
Can AP1186T5-15L-U operate without a Vctrl supply?
No. Vctrl must be ≥ Vin + 1V to bias the internal NPN pass transistor. Omitting Vctrl or connecting it to Vin causes immediate loss of regulation and excessive dropout. A dedicated 5V rail from ATX is required-this is fundamental to its ultra-low dropout architecture, not optional.
What is the minimum output capacitance required for stability?
The datasheet specifies a minimum of 100µF aluminum electrolytic capacitor at Vout, with ESR between 50–100mΩ. Using less capacitance risks oscillation during load transients; ceramic capacitors alone are insufficient due to near-zero ESR disrupting compensation.
Is remote sensing mandatory for AP1186T5-15L-U operation?
No-Vsense can be tied directly to Vout for local regulation-but doing so forfeits load regulation accuracy. Remote sensing is required to maintain ±1% output at the load under varying current; without it, PCB trace resistance degrades regulation by up to 50mV per 33mΩ of trace impedance.
Why does AP1186T5-15L-U have a 10mA minimum load requirement?
The internal bandgap reference and error amplifier require ≥10mA load current to maintain proper biasing and regulation accuracy. Below this, output voltage may rise unpredictably; a 121Ω resistor from Vout to GND satisfies this requirement while enabling precise voltage setting in adjustable variants.
AP1186T5-15L-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):
- 1.5V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 0.38V @ 1.5A
- Current - Output:
- 1.5A
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 10 mA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- 150 µA
- PSRR:
- 70dB (120Hz)
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- Over Current, Over Temperature
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 150°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220-5
AP1186T5-15L-U FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AP1186T5-15L-U through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AP1186T5-15L-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 AP1186T5-15L-U reliable?
The price and inventory of AP1186T5-15L-U are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AP1186T5-15L-U is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AP1186T5-15L-U?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for AP1186T5-15L-U transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for AP1186T5-15L-U?
AP1186T5-15L-U orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AP1186T5-15L-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 AP1186T5-15L-U?
For technical support, including AP1186T5-15L-U datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AP1186T5-15L-U requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AP1186T5-15L-U is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AP1186T5-15L-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 AP1186T5-15L-U meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AP1186T5-15L-U?
All AP1186T5-15L-U units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AP1186T5-15L-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 AP1186T5-15L-U part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AP1186T5-15L-U:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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