Diodes Incorporated AP1186T5-25L-U
- Part No.:
- AP1186T5-25L-U
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Package:
- TO-220-5
- Datasheet:
-
AP1186T5-25L-U.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 2.5V 1.5A TO220-5
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:2,829
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Product details
Overview
AP1186T5-25L-U from Diodes Incorporated is a 1.5A ultra-low dropout positive voltage regulator in TO220-5L package, fixed at 2.5V output, with 0.38V max dropout at 1.5A load, built-in thermal shutdown and current limiting, designed for GPU core supply in ATX-based motherboards requiring stable 2.4–2.7V rails.
For engineers reviewing the AP1186T5-25L-U datasheet, AP1186T5-25L-U pinout, AP1186T5-25L-U application, or AP1186T5-25L-U equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage under full load, remote sensing capability via Vsense pin, thermal resistance (2.5°C/W junction-to-case), control pin (Vctrl) biasing requirements, and minimum output capacitance (100µF).
Technical Context
The AP1186 employs an NPN pass transistor architecture with externally biased Vctrl pin-separate from Vin-to eliminate base-current-related inefficiency typical of PNP LDOs. This enables sub-0.4V dropout while maintaining fast transient response for GPU load steps up to 1.5A within ~300–500ns.
It implements true remote sensing via dedicated Vsense pin, compensating for PCB trace IR drop between regulator and load. Output voltage accuracy is maintained by regulating the voltage difference between Vsense and Adj (GND) pins at 1.25V ±2.5%, independent of Vout pin routing.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | Fixed 2.5V ±2% at 10mA–1.5A load; ensures compatibility with GPU core voltage specs (e.g., 2.4–2.7V range). |
| Max Dropout Voltage | 0.38V at 1.5A load (Vin–Vout); enables regulation from 3.3V ATX rail with ≥0.92V headroom. |
| Thermal Resistance θJC | 2.5°C/W (TO220-5L); allows 1.68W dissipation at ≤135°C junction temp with standard heatsink. |
| Load Regulation | ≤25mV over 0–1.5A (at Vin=4V); maintains tight voltage stability during GPU dynamic current draw. |
| Ripple Rejection | 60–70dB at 120Hz; suppresses low-frequency noise from switching power supplies feeding Vin/Vctrl. |
| Control Pin Current | 6–25mA at Vctrl=2.75V; requires ≥100µF capacitor on Vctrl to ground for stability and drive capability. |
Pinout & Package
AP1186T5-25L-U uses TO220-5L package with exposed tab electrically connected to Vout. The tab must be thermally and electrically tied to the output plane for optimal thermal performance and EMI control.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Vout | Regulated output terminal | Delivers 2.5V to load; tab is internally bonded to this pin-must connect to output copper pour. |
| 2: Vsense | Remote voltage sense input | Connects directly to load point to compensate for PCB trace voltage drop; requires ≥10µF bypass to GND. |
| 3: Adj (GND) | Reference ground / adjust return | Internally tied to GND in fixed-mode (2.5V); serves as reference node for internal 1.25V bandgap. |
| 4: Vctrl | Internal circuit & pass transistor bias supply | Must be ≥1V above Vout; powers control logic and drives NPN base-requires ≥100µF local decoupling. |
| 5: Vin | Main input supply | Accepts 3.0–12V input; must remain >Vout+dropout; requires bulk storage capacitor to sustain transients. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low dropout | 0.38V max at 1.5A enables efficient 2.5V generation from 3.3V ATX rail without switching complexity. |
| True remote sensing | Dedicated Vsense pin compensates for up to ~50mΩ PCB trace resistance, ensuring ±1% load regulation accuracy. |
| Separate Vctrl biasing | Vctrl pin supplied from higher-voltage rail (e.g., 5V) eliminates base-current loss, improving efficiency vs. PNP LDOs. |
| Fast transient response | Designed for <500ns current steps (0→1.5A); reduces required output capacitance by up to 30% vs. conventional LDOs. |
| Integrated protection | Thermal shutdown triggers at ~150°C junction; current limit activates at ≥1.6A-prevents damage during overload or short. |
Applications
| GPU Core Power Supply | ATX Motherboard VRM Auxiliary Rail |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Providing stable 2.5V core voltage to discrete graphics processing units (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce 7xxx series) on desktop motherboards with 3.3V/5V ATX inputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary linear regulator delivering tightly regulated DC power; operates in parallel with main CPU VRM but independently controlled. Use Value: Eliminates need for costly multi-phase buck converters for auxiliary GPU rails while meeting ±2% tolerance and nanosecond-scale transient specs. |
Use Scenario: Generating clean 2.5V for chipset I/O buffers, PCIe slot termination, or memory controller auxiliary supplies on ATX-compliant boards. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fixed-output LDO supplying low-noise, low-ripple bias to high-speed digital interfaces sensitive to supply perturbation. Use Value: 70dB ripple rejection at 120Hz suppresses switching noise from main SMPS, reducing bit error rates in PCIe Gen1/Gen2 links. |
| Industrial FPGA I/O Bank Regulator | Test Equipment Reference Voltage Source |
|
Use Scenario: Powering configurable I/O banks of Xilinx Spartan-3 or Altera Cyclone II FPGAs in programmable logic controllers where 3.3V rail is available but 2.5V is required. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Point-of-load regulator with remote sensing to maintain voltage accuracy across long PCB traces to FPGA package balls. Use Value: Vsense pin connection at FPGA ball grid enables ±1% regulation at load-critical for LVCMOS25 signal integrity and timing margin. |
Use Scenario: Serving as precision 2.5V reference source in automated test equipment (ATE) channel cards requiring low-drift, low-noise analog bias. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise linear regulator functioning as stable DC reference for DACs, ADC references, or op-amp bias networks. Use Value: 0.02%/W thermal regulation and 25mV load regulation ensure <±0.5mV drift over 0–1.5A load changes-enabling 16-bit 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AP1186K5-25L-U | Same IC die, TO263-5L package; θJA = 25–45°C/W vs. TO220's 40–60°C/W; no through-hole mounting. | Better thermal performance in surface-mount designs with ≥1.4"×1.4" copper pad; unsuitable for through-hole prototyping. | Select when board space is constrained and thermal management relies on PCB copper area rather than external heatsink. |
| TPS7A4700RGWR | 200mA, 1.25–20V adjustable, 310µVRMS noise, 300mV dropout at 150mA; no Vctrl pin or remote sensing. | Lower noise and wider adjustability, but insufficient current (200mA vs. 1.5A) and no remote sensing for GPU loads. | Not suitable as direct replacement; consider only for low-current, low-noise analog reference applications-not power delivery. |
Compared with AP1186K5-25L-U, the TO220-5L variant offers easier heatsink attachment and legacy board compatibility; versus TPS7A4700RGWR, AP1186T5-25L-U delivers 7.5× higher current, remote sensing, and Vctrl-biased architecture essential for high-power GPU rails.
Availability
AP1186T5-25L-U is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for GPU core power supplies, ATX motherboard auxiliary rails, industrial FPGA I/O regulation, and test equipment reference voltage sources requiring stable component supply with lead-free compliance and long-lifecycle support.
Supply support for AP1186T5-25L-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 belongs to Diodes' ultra-low-dropout linear regulator product line, engineered specifically for high-current, low-voltage GPU and chipset power delivery where switching noise and layout complexity must be avoided.
FAQ
What is the minimum input voltage required for AP1186T5-25L-U to regulate at full 1.5A load?
The absolute minimum input voltage is Vout + dropout = 2.5V + 0.38V = 2.88V. However, per datasheet test conditions, stable operation at 1.5A requires Vin ≥ 3.0V with proper input capacitance. Below 3.0V, regulation degrades and thermal stress increases significantly due to higher power dissipation.
Can the Vsense pin be left unconnected if remote sensing is not needed?
No. The Vsense pin must be connected directly to the Vout pin (or to the load point) in all configurations. Leaving it floating violates the internal feedback loop design and causes instability or regulation failure. For local sensing, short Vsense to Vout at the regulator's output pad-not at the load.
Why does AP1186 require a separate Vctrl supply, and what happens if Vctrl = Vin?
Vctrl powers the internal control circuitry and provides base drive to the NPN pass transistor. If Vctrl = Vin, base drive is compromised, increasing dropout and reducing current capability. Datasheet specifies Vctrl must exceed Vout by ≥1V-and ideally be sourced from a higher, cleaner rail (e.g., 5V) to maximize efficiency and transient response.
Is AP1186T5-25L-U compatible with lead-free reflow profiles, and what is its MSL rating?
Yes-AP1186T5-25L-U is RoHS-compliant with lead-free finish (per EU Directive Annex Notes 5 and 7) and qualified for standard Pb-free reflow (J-STD-020D, peak 260°C). It carries Moisture Sensitivity Level (MSL) 1-unlimited floor life at ≤30°C/60% RH, requiring no baking prior to assembly.
AP1186T5-25L-U Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Diodes Incorporated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-5
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 16V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 2.5V
- 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
AP1186T5-25L-U FAQ
1.How can I place an order for AP1186T5-25L-U through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for AP1186T5-25L-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 AP1186T5-25L-U reliable?
The price and inventory of AP1186T5-25L-U are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for AP1186T5-25L-U is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for AP1186T5-25L-U?
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4.How is shipping managed for AP1186T5-25L-U?
AP1186T5-25L-U orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your AP1186T5-25L-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 AP1186T5-25L-U?
For technical support, including AP1186T5-25L-U datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your AP1186T5-25L-U requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that AP1186T5-25L-U is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All AP1186T5-25L-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 AP1186T5-25L-U meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of AP1186T5-25L-U?
All AP1186T5-25L-U units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with AP1186T5-25L-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 AP1186T5-25L-U part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for AP1186T5-25L-U:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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