Analog Devices Inc. LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF

Overview

LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF from Analog Devices (formerly Linear Technology) is a 100mA, very low dropout (VLDO™) linear regulator in an 8-lead 3mm × 3mm DFN package with exposed pad, delivering a fixed 1.5V output. It operates down to 0.9V input, achieves 150mV typical dropout at 100mA, supports ceramic output capacitors as small as 2.2µF, and features reverse-battery protection and 3µA shutdown quiescent current - ideal for space-constrained, battery-powered systems requiring stable low-voltage rail generation.

For engineers reviewing the LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF datasheet, LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF pinout, LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF application, or LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF equivalent, key selection criteria include minimum input voltage (0.9V), dropout performance across temperature, GND pin current behavior under load, thermal resistance (θ_JA = 35°C/W), and compatibility with low-ESR ceramic capacitors in compact portable designs.

Technical Context

The LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF uses a proprietary VLDO architecture enabling regulation with only 150mV headroom at full 100mA load, even at –40°C. Its internal resistor divider sets V_OUT = 1.5V (±2.3% over temperature), and the error amplifier maintains 0.2% typical load regulation from 1mA to 100mA while rejecting 58dB of 120Hz ripple at 1V VIN–VOUT differential.

Protection circuitry includes thermal limiting with hysteresis (T_JMAX = 125°C), current limiting (110–310mA), reverse-battery tolerance (±10V on IN), and true no-reverse-current operation - eliminating external diodes in single-cell Li-ion or coin-cell applications where input reversal or backup-battery holdup may occur.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF is housed in an 8-lead, 3mm × 3mm × 0.75mm plastic DFN package with exposed thermal pad (Pin 9, internally connected to GND). The exposed pad must be soldered to a PCB GND plane for thermal performance and electrical integrity.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-dropout linear regulator applications.

Compared with MCP1801T-1502E/OT and XC6206P152MR-G, LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF delivers superior dropout performance (150mV vs. ≥250mV), integrated reverse-battery protection, and proven stability with minimal 2.2µF ceramics - making it the preferred choice for demanding single-cell battery systems where efficiency, reliability, and layout simplicity are critical.

Availability

LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, low-power IoT sensor nodes, portable medical diagnostic devices, and industrial handheld scanners requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed lead-free compliance.

Supply support for LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF 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

Analog Devices acquired Linear Technology in 2017 and continues its legacy of high-performance analog and power management ICs for precision, power, and signal chain applications.

The LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF belongs to Linear's VLDO™ regulator family, engineered specifically for ultra-low-input-voltage, high-efficiency linear regulation in battery-powered portable electronics where every millivolt of headroom and microamp of quiescent current matters.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF to deliver full 100mA output current?

The LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF requires a minimum input voltage of 0.9V at T_J > 0°C and 1.10V at T_J < 0°C to sustain 100mA output while maintaining regulation. This is enabled by its proprietary VLDO architecture - significantly lower than conventional LDOs. At room temperature, operation from a single discharged alkaline cell (≈0.95V) remains viable.

Does LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF require an external resistor network to set the output voltage?

No. The LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF is a fixed-output variant with internal resistor divider calibrated for 1.500V ±2.3%. Pin 3 (OUT SENSE) is internally connected to the output and must be shorted to Pins 1 and 2 on the PCB - no external components are needed for voltage setting, simplifying design and reducing BOM count.

How does the no-load recovery circuit in LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF improve transient response?

The LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF incorporates an active current sink that engages when output voltage exceeds nominal by +6%. It discharges the output capacitor at up to ~15mA, reducing recovery time from milliseconds to <1ms after large load transients - critical for pulsed RF or sensor applications where overshoot could disrupt ADC references or digital logic.

Can LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF be used with input voltages below 1.0V?

Yes - the LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF is specified to operate down to 0.9V input at T_J > 0°C. Below 1.0V, output current capability decreases gradually; at 0.95V input, it delivers ~85mA while maintaining 1.5V regulation. This enables use with deeply discharged primary cells or energy-harvesting sources where voltage sags below 1.0V.

What thermal considerations apply to the exposed pad (Pin 9) of LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF?

The exposed pad (Pin 9) of LT3020EDD-1.5#PBF must be soldered to a dedicated GND copper pour on the PCB. With proper 2500mm² copper area, θ_JA is 35°C/W; insufficient copper or missing solder connection can raise θ_JA to >70°C/W, risking thermal shutdown at 100mA load in ambient >60°C. Pin 9 is electrically GND and thermally critical - never leave it floating.