Texas Instruments LP2952IM/NOPB

Overview

LP2952IM/NOPB from Texas Instruments (formerly National Semiconductor) is an adjustable micropower low-dropout linear voltage regulator optimized for battery-powered systems. It delivers up to 250 mA output current, features 130 µA typical quiescent current at 1 mA load, 470 mV dropout at full load, reverse battery protection, and a user-accessible 1.23 V reference with ±15 ppm/°C tempco - deployed in portable medical monitors and handheld test equipment.

For engineers reviewing the LP2952IM/NOPB datasheet, LP2952IM/NOPB pinout, LP2952IM/NOPB application, or LP2952IM/NOPB equivalent, key selection criteria include guaranteed 250 mA output under dropout conditions, tight line/load regulation (<0.2%), integrated error flag with 5% dropout detection threshold, and SO-16 surface-mount compatibility with thermal copper heatsinking via pins 1/8/9/16.

Technical Context

The LP2952IM/NOPB implements a PNP pass transistor architecture enabling ultra-low dropout and minimal quiescent current increase near dropout. Its internal crowbar circuit actively pulls the output low during shutdown, while the error flag (open-collector) asserts low when output falls >5% below regulation - independent of programmed output voltage due to fixed 60 mV comparator offset referenced to 1.23 V.

It supports external output programming from 1.23 V to 29 V using two resistors, with feedback bias current ≤40 nA ensuring <0.2% error contribution. Reverse-battery protection operates down to −20 V input, and the 1.23 V reference exhibits 20 ppm/°C max tempco and 0.2% load regulation over 0–200 µA.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LP2952IM/NOPB is housed in a 16-pin SOIC (Small Outline Integrated Circuit) package per NSC drawing M16A, with exposed thermal pad not electrically connected. Thermal performance relies on PCB copper heatsinking through pins 1 (GND), 8 (GND), 9 (SENSE), and 16 (GND).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with TPS7A4700RGWR and MCP1826T-3302E/DB, LP2952IM/NOPB uniquely combines micropower operation (130 µA), programmable output (1.23–29 V), integrated error flag, and reference output - making it optimal for battery-powered systems requiring flexibility, supervision, and long runtime.

Availability

LP2952IM/NOPB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered instrumentation, portable medical devices, industrial sensor nodes, and automotive body electronics requiring stable component supply across extended temperature ranges and long production lifecycles.

Supply support for LP2952IM/NOPB 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 acquired National Semiconductor in 2011 and maintains its legacy analog portfolio with full technical documentation and long-term product commitments.

The LP2952IM/NOPB belongs to TI's micropower LDO regulator family designed specifically for energy-constrained, battery-operated systems where ultra-low quiescent current, reverse-polarity resilience, and output supervision are mandatory.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for LP2952IM/NOPB to regulate a 3.3 V output?

The LP2952IM/NOPB requires a minimum input voltage of 3.3 V plus dropout voltage. At 250 mA load, dropout is 470 mV, so minimum VIN = 3.77 V. At light loads (<1 mA), dropout drops to 60 mV, allowing regulation down to 3.36 V. The absolute minimum input is 2.3 V over temperature per datasheet Note 7.

Does LP2952IM/NOPB support remote sensing, and how is it implemented?

Yes, LP2952IM/NOPB supports remote sensing via dedicated SENSE (pin 9) and OUTPUT (pin 6) pins. To implement, route the SENSE trace directly to the load's power input point, keeping it separate from high-current OUTPUT traces. This compensates for IR drop in PCB traces or connectors, improving load regulation accuracy by up to 10× compared to local sensing.

Can the V_REF pin of LP2952IM/NOPB be used to power external circuitry, and what are its limits?

Yes, the V_REF pin (pin 10) provides a buffered 1.23 V reference with ±15 mV initial accuracy and 20 ppm/°C tempco. It can source up to 200 µA while maintaining 0.8% load regulation. For precision applications, limit load to ≤50 µA to minimize error; avoid capacitive loading >100 pF to prevent instability.

How does the ERROR flag on LP2952IM/NOPB behave during startup and shutdown sequences?

During startup, ERROR remains high-impedance until VIN exceeds ~1.3 V, then goes high when output reaches regulation (e.g., 4.75 V for 5 V setpoint). During shutdown (SHUTDOWN ≤1.1 V), ERROR transitions high after output collapses - but if pulled up to an external rail, it may float invalidly; TI recommends pulling up to VOUT to ensure valid logic levels throughout sequencing. LP2952IM/NOPB's internal crowbar ensures rapid output discharge.

Is LP2952IM/NOPB pin-compatible with LP2952IM or LP2952AIM variants?

Yes, LP2952IM/NOPB is functionally and mechanically identical to LP2952IM and LP2952AIM - all share the same SO-16 package (M16A), pinout, electrical specifications, and thermal characteristics. The /NOPB suffix denotes lead-free (RoHS-compliant) finish; no design changes or layout modifications are required when substituting among these variants.