Texas Instruments LM2937IMPX-12
- Part No.:
- LM2937IMPX-12
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Package:
- TO-261-4, TO-261AA
- Datasheet:
-
LM2937IMPX-12.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 12V 500MA SOT223-4
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,856
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Product details
Overview
LM2937IMPX-12 from Texas Instruments is a 12 V, 500-mA positive low-dropout linear regulator in SOT-223 package, featuring 0.5 V typical dropout at full load, ±5% output voltage tolerance over temperature and load, reverse battery protection, and 60-V transient input surge immunity. It serves as a robust power supply for automotive ECUs and industrial controllers where stable 12 V rail generation is required under harsh electrical conditions.
For engineers reviewing the LM2937IMPX-12 datasheet, LM2937IMPX-12 pinout, LM2937IMPX-12 application, or LM2937IMPX-12 equivalent, key selection considerations include dropout voltage at 500 mA, thermal performance in SOT-223 (85°C max junction), ESR-stable operation up to 3 Ω, reverse-battery survivability, and 60-V/−50-V transient protection capability.
Technical Context
The LM2937IMPX-12 uses a PNP pass transistor architecture to achieve low dropout, with regulation maintained down to VIN − VOUT = 0.5 V (typ) at 500 mA. Its internal bandgap reference and error amplifier deliver 12 V ±5% output accuracy across −40°C to +85°C ambient, while integrated thermal shutdown and short-circuit current limiting (0.6–1 A) provide fault resilience.
Special compensation circuitry enables stable operation with output capacitors having ESR from 10 mΩ to 3 Ω - supporting ceramic, tantalum, and aluminum electrolytic types. The device lacks enable or UVLO functions; regulation begins when VIN exceeds VOUT + 1 V, with optimal dynamic response at VIN ≥ VOUT + 2 V.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 12 V nominal, ±5% tolerance over full load (5–400 mA) and temperature (−40°C to +85°C) |
| Max Output Current | 400 mA (SOT-223 package limit, lower than TO-220/DDPAK's 500 mA due to thermal constraints) |
| Dropout Voltage | 0.5 V typical at 400 mA; 1 V maximum over full operating range - enables operation with minimal VIN headroom |
| Input Voltage Range | 13 V min (VOUT + 1 V), 26 V max continuous; withstands 60-V/−50-V transients per load-dump and reverse-battery tests |
| Quiescent Current | 10 mA typical at full 400 mA load and VIN ≥ VOUT + 3 V - supports low-power standby modes |
| Output Capacitor ESR | Stable with 10 mΩ to 3 Ω - allows use of low-cost aluminum electrolytics without external compensation |
| Thermal Protection | Thermal shutdown activates above 150°C junction; max continuous junction temperature is 85°C for SOT-223 |
Pinout & Package
SOT-223 (DCY) package: 4-pin surface-mount with exposed thermal tab (internally connected to GND), footprint compatible with JEDEC MO-178AB. Requires minimum 10 µF output capacitor with ESR ≤3 Ω placed adjacent to pins.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (INPUT) | Unregulated input | Accepts 13–26 V DC; must be decoupled with ≥0.1 µF ceramic capacitor near pin |
| 2 (GND) | Ground reference | Primary ground return for control circuitry and feedback path; connects internally to tab |
| 3 (OUTPUT) | Regulated output | Delivers 12 V ±5%; requires ≥10 µF output capacitor with ESR 10 mΩ–3 Ω for stability |
| 4 (TAB) | Thermal/Ground pad | Internally tied to pin 2 (GND); must be soldered to ≥1 cm² copper pour for thermal management |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Reverse battery protection | Withstands −15 V DC and −50 V transients without damage or latch-up - eliminates need for external series diode in automotive 12 V systems |
| Load-dump transient immunity | Operates through 60-V/100-ms transients per ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a - protects downstream logic during alternator load dump |
| Wide ESR stability range | Stable with output capacitor ESR from 10 mΩ to 3 Ω - enables cost-effective aluminum electrolytic or mixed-ceramic/tantalum solutions |
| Low quiescent current | 10 mA at full 400 mA load and VIN ≥ VOUT + 3 V - reduces system standby power loss in always-on modules |
| Integrated fault protection | Combines short-circuit current limiting (0.6–1 A) and thermal shutdown (150°C) - prevents catastrophic failure during overload or poor heatsinking |
Applications
| Automotive Body Control Module | Industrial PLC I/O Power |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Powering microcontroller, CAN transceiver, and sensor interface circuitry in door module or lighting controller subjected to cold-crank (5.5 V) and load-dump (60 V) events. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 12 V LDO supplying regulated rail to safety-critical logic; acts as fault-isolated power domain boundary. Use Value: Reverse-battery and 60-V transient protection eliminate need for external TVS and series diode, reducing BOM count and PCB area by 3 components. | Use Scenario: Generating clean 12 V for analog input conditioning and digital isolator bias in modular PLC backplane slots with variable input bus voltage (18–32 V). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Point-of-load regulator delivering stable 12 V to precision ADC front-end and isolated RS-485 transceivers. Use Value: 3 Ω ESR tolerance allows use of high-capacitance, low-ESR polymer capacitors to suppress switching noise from adjacent SMPS rails. |
| Point-of-Load for Legacy Sensors | Telematics GPS/Cellular Module Supply |
Use Scenario: Providing 12 V to legacy analog pressure/temperature sensors in engine bay environments where ambient reaches 85°C and supply ripple exceeds 200 mVpp. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Local regulation stage rejecting upstream switching noise and maintaining sensor excitation accuracy. Use Value: 0.5 V dropout ensures regulation remains active during cold-crank dips to 9 V input - sustaining sensor operation below 10 V. | Use Scenario: Powering GPS receiver and LTE modem in vehicle telematics unit requiring low-noise 12 V supply with fast load-transient response to burst data transmission. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary LDO filtering noise from primary buck converter and supplying clean bias to RF sections. Use Value: 360 μVrms output noise (10 Hz–100 kHz) and 120 mV load regulation minimize SNR degradation in GPS baseband processing. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LDO regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM2937ET-12/NOPB | TO-220 package; 500 mA rated; RθJA = 77.9°C/W; wider temp range (−40°C to 125°C) | Higher power dissipation capability; suited for chassis-mounted heatsink applications | Select when >400 mA load or >85°C ambient required; not drop-in due to different package and pinout |
| MCP1703T-1202E/MB | SOT-23 package; 250 mA rated; 600 mV dropout; no reverse-battery or 60-V transient protection | Limited fault robustness; intended for benign consumer environments | Select only for space-constrained, low-power, non-automotive designs where protection features are unnecessary |
Compared with LM2937IMPX-12, the TO-220 LM2937ET-12 offers higher current and temperature capability but requires mechanical mounting and larger board area, while the MCP1703T-1202E/MB saves space at the cost of eliminating critical automotive-grade protections and derating output current by 40%.
Availability
LM2937IMPX-12 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body electronics, industrial programmable logic controllers, point-of-load sensor interfaces, and telematics module power supplies requiring stable component supply under AEC-Q100-adjacent stress conditions.
Supply support for LM2937IMPX-12 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
Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company designing analog ICs, embedded processors, and connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.
The LM2937 product line delivers rugged, automotive-qualified LDO regulators with integrated reverse-battery and load-dump protection - engineered specifically for 12 V vehicle electrical systems and harsh industrial environments.
FAQ
What is the maximum continuous output current for LM2937IMPX-12?
The LM2937IMPX-12 is rated for 400 mA maximum continuous output current in its SOT-223 package, limited by thermal dissipation at 85°C junction temperature. This is lower than the 500 mA rating of TO-220 and DDPAK variants due to the SOT-223's higher thermal resistance (RθJA = 58.3°C/W). Derating is required above 25°C ambient - consult Figure 24 in the datasheet for exact power limits versus temperature.
Does LM2937IMPX-12 require an external output capacitor, and what are its specifications?
Yes, the LM2937IMPX-12 requires an external output capacitor for stability: minimum 10 µF capacitance over the full operating temperature range, with ESR between 10 mΩ and 3 Ω. Ceramic, tantalum, or aluminum electrolytic types are acceptable. The capacitor must be placed as close as possible to the OUTPUT and GND pins. Failure to meet these requirements risks oscillation or regulation loss.
Can LM2937IMPX-12 survive reverse battery connection in automotive applications?
Yes, the LM2937IMPX-12 provides built-in reverse battery protection and is tested to withstand −15 V DC and −50 V transients without damage or functional interruption. This eliminates the need for an external series diode in 12 V automotive systems, reducing voltage drop, heat generation, and component count - a key advantage over standard LDOs lacking this feature.
What is the dropout voltage specification for LM2937IMPX-12 at full load?
The LM2937IMPX-12 has a typical dropout voltage of 0.5 V at 400 mA load, with a guaranteed maximum of 1 V over the full −40°C to +85°C temperature range and full load condition. This enables reliable regulation even during cold-crank events where input voltage may dip to 9 V while maintaining a stable 12 V output.
Is LM2937IMPX-12 compatible with standard SOT-223 footprints and reflow profiles?
Yes, the LM2937IMPX-12 uses the industry-standard SOT-223 (DCY) package and is compatible with JEDEC J-STD-020D reflow profiles. However, hand soldering or wave soldering is not recommended due to risk of package cracking; vapor-phase or infrared reflow is preferred. Ensure the thermal tab (pin 4) is fully soldered to a ≥1 cm² copper pour for thermal performance.
LM2937IMPX-12 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-261-4, TO-261AA
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 26V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 12V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 1V @ 500mA
- Current - Output:
- 500mA
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 10 mA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- 20 mA
- PSRR:
- -
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- Mirror-Image Insertion, Over Temperature, Short Circuit, Transient Voltage
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-223-4
LM2937IMPX-12 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for LM2937IMPX-12 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for LM2937IMPX-12 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 LM2937IMPX-12 reliable?
The price and inventory of LM2937IMPX-12 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for LM2937IMPX-12 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for LM2937IMPX-12?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for LM2937IMPX-12 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for LM2937IMPX-12?
LM2937IMPX-12 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your LM2937IMPX-12 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 LM2937IMPX-12?
For technical support, including LM2937IMPX-12 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your LM2937IMPX-12 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that LM2937IMPX-12 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All LM2937IMPX-12 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 LM2937IMPX-12 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of LM2937IMPX-12?
All LM2937IMPX-12 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with LM2937IMPX-12, 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 LM2937IMPX-12 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for LM2937IMPX-12:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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