STMicroelectronics LDK120C30R

Overview

LDK120C30R from STMicroelectronics is a 3.0 V fixed-output, 200 mA low-dropout linear regulator with 100 mV typical dropout at 100 mA, 100 µA max quiescent current, ±2.0% output voltage tolerance at 25 °C, and operation from 1.9 V to 5.5 V input - designed for noise-sensitive battery-powered subsystems such as camera sensor rails and RF front-end biasing in mobile handsets.

For engineers reviewing the LDK120C30R datasheet, LDK120C30R pinout, LDK120C30R application, or LDK120C30R equivalent, this page delivers verified package mapping (SOT323-5L), terminal-level design meaning, real-world load/line regulation behavior, thermal shutdown threshold (160 °C), and ceramic-capacitor-stable operation with COUT ≥ 1 µF - critical for portable power integrity validation.

Technical Context

The LDK120C30R employs a PMOS pass transistor architecture enabling ultra-low dropout and near-zero gate-drive current dependency, supporting stable regulation down to VIN = VOUT + 100 mV. Its internal bandgap reference and error amplifier deliver ±2.0% initial accuracy and <0.006 %/mA load regulation over 1–200 mA.

Logic-controlled enable (EN) provides hard-shutdown with sub-1 µA total supply current, while integrated short-circuit current limiting (~400 mA) and thermal foldback protect against fault conditions without external circuitry - essential for unattended operation in space-constrained consumer electronics.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LDK120C30R is packaged in SOT323-5L - a 1.8 mm × 2.0 mm × 0.9 mm surface-mount package with 0.65 mm pitch, optimized for high-density portable PCB layouts and reflow-compatible assembly.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LDO regulator applications.

Compared with XC6219B302MR-G and RT9013-30GB, LDK120C30R uniquely balances 200 mA delivery, 100 mV dropout, and 51 µVRMS noise - making it optimal for mixed-signal portable systems where both dynamic headroom and spectral purity are non-negotiable.

Availability

LDK120C30R is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for mobile camera modules, Bluetooth LE audio subsystems, industrial handheld scanners, and medical wearable sensor nodes requiring stable component supply with full production lifecycle support through July 2026.

Supply support for LDK120C30R 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power management ICs, and analog/mixed-signal devices for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The LDK120 series was developed specifically for ultra-low-noise, low-IQ power regulation in battery-constrained portable electronics - emphasizing ceramic-capacitor stability, sub-1 µA shutdown, and wide-input flexibility across Li-ion and regulated rail architectures.

FAQ

Can LDK120C30R operate with a 1.9 V input while delivering 3.0 V output?

No - the minimum input voltage must exceed the output voltage by the dropout voltage. At 3.0 V output, LDK120C30R requires ≥3.1 V input to maintain regulation under 100 mA load (100 mV dropout). Below that, output collapses linearly. The 1.9 V rating applies only to versions with lower VOUT (e.g., 0.8 V).

Is an external bypass capacitor mandatory on the BYP pin?

No - the BYP pin is optional for noise reduction. When used, a 10 nF ceramic capacitor between BYP and GND reduces output noise to 51 µVRMS; if omitted, the pin must be left floating with no PCB trace. It is not connected internally on the fixed 3.0 V variant.

What is the maximum allowable output capacitance for stability?

LDK120C30R is stable with COUT from 1 µF to 22 µF (ceramic), per datasheet Figure 25. ESR must remain below 10 Ω at 100 kHz. Using >22 µF risks phase margin degradation and potential oscillation - especially with high-ESR polymer or electrolytic types.

Does LDK120C30R support reverse-voltage protection?

No - the device lacks intrinsic reverse-polarity protection. Applying reverse voltage (>0.3 V below GND) on IN, OUT, or EN may cause permanent damage per Absolute Maximum Ratings (Table 2). External Schottky diode or ideal diode IC is required for systems with possible backfeed or hot-swap scenarios.