onsemi MC78LC50NTR
- Part No.:
- MC78LC50NTR
- Manufacturer:
- onsemi
- Package:
- SOT-23-5 Thin, TSOT-23-5
- Datasheet:
-
MC78LC50NTR.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 5V 100MA 5TSOP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,089
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Product details
Overview
MC78LC50NTR from onsemi is a fixed-output, micropower low-dropout linear voltage regulator delivering 5.0 V ±2.5% at up to 80 mA output current, with ultra-low 1.1 µA typical quiescent current and 30 mV typical dropout voltage (IOUT = 1.0 mA). It operates from 12 V max input, supports industrial temperature range (−40°C to +85°C), and is optimized for battery-powered portable instruments and handheld cameras.
For engineers reviewing the MC78LC50NTR datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this page provides verified technical context, package-specific pin mapping, real-world use scenarios, and validated alternative options for low-power LDO selection in space-constrained, long-life embedded systems.
Technical Context
The MC78LC50NTR integrates a PMOS pass transistor, precision voltage reference, error amplifier, and internal feedback resistors to deliver stable 5.0 V regulation without external components. Its architecture enables operation with only 0.1 µF ceramic output capacitance and eliminates ESR requirements-unlike traditional NPN-based regulators.
Designed for ultra-low IQ, it maintains regulation across −40°C to +85°C ambient while achieving 100 ppm/°C output voltage temperature coefficient and 89 µVRMS output noise (1 kHz–100 kHz). Dropout is specified at 3% output deviation, measured as VIN − VOUT = 30 mV (typ) at 1.0 mA load.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 5.0 V ±2.5% (±125 mV) over −40°C to +85°C - ensures stable MCU core or sensor bias under thermal stress |
| Quiescent Current | 1.1 µA typical - enables multi-year battery life in always-on monitoring devices |
| Dropout Voltage | 30 mV typical at 1.0 mA - allows regulation down to VIN = 5.03 V, critical for single-cell Li-ion or alkaline systems |
| Max Input Voltage | 12 V - supports wide-input battery stacks or unregulated wall adapters |
| Output Current | 80 mA maximum - sufficient for low-power microcontrollers, sensors, and RF transceivers |
| Thermal Resistance | 280 °C/W (Junction-to-Ambient, Thin SOT-23-5) - requires minimal PCB copper for thermal management at full load |
| Operating Temp | −40°C to +85°C - qualified for industrial and outdoor portable equipment |
Pinout & Package
MC78LC50NTR is housed in a Pb-free Thin SOT-23-5 (Case 483) surface-mount package measuring 2.9 mm × 1.6 mm × 1.1 mm, with exposed pad not connected internally. The package supports reflow soldering per J-STD-020 and features 0.95 mm lead pitch.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GND | Power supply ground reference - must be low-impedance connection to minimize noise coupling |
| 2 | VIN | Positive input supply - accepts 5.03 V to 12 V; requires local 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling |
| 3 | VOUT | Regulated 5.0 V output - stable with ≥0.1 µF ceramic capacitor; no ESR constraint |
| 4 | N/C | No internal connection - electrically isolated; may be left floating or tied to GND for mechanical stability |
| 5 | N/C | No internal connection - electrically isolated; no routing or bias required |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ultra-low quiescent current | 1.1 µA typical - reduces standby power loss by >95% vs. standard LDOs, extending shelf life of sealed devices |
| Low-ESR capacitor compatibility | Stable with 0.1 µF ceramic output cap - eliminates need for costly tantalum or polymer capacitors |
| High accuracy over temperature | ±2.5% output tolerance across −40°C to +85°C - avoids calibration overhead in precision analog front-ends |
| Low dropout at light load | 30 mV typical at 1 mA - enables efficient operation near battery end-of-discharge voltage |
| Pb-free, RoHS-compliant packaging | Thin SOT-23-5 (NTR suffix) - meets global environmental compliance without derating or assembly restrictions |
Applications
| Handheld Medical Sensors | Portable Data Loggers |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered pulse oximeter with optical sensor, ADC, and BLE radio operating continuously for 6+ months on two AA cells. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 5.0 V supply for analog signal chain and digital subsystem; replaces switching regulator to eliminate EMI-sensitive noise. Use Value: 1.1 µA quiescent current extends battery life beyond 2000 hours in sleep mode; 30 mV dropout preserves regulation until cell voltage drops to 5.03 V. |
Use Scenario: Ruggedized environmental logger deployed in remote field locations, recording temperature/humidity every 10 seconds using coin-cell or Li-SOCl₂ battery. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fixed 5.0 V rail for microcontroller, EEPROM, and sensor interface; operates across −40°C to +70°C ambient without derating. Use Value: ±2.5% output accuracy over full temperature range eliminates software compensation; 0.1 µF ceramic cap simplifies BOM and layout. |
| Digital Camcorders | Wearable Health Monitors |
|
Use Scenario: Compact camcorder with CMOS image sensor, video encoder, and SD card interface powered by single 3.7 V Li-ion cell with boost converter feeding MC78LC50NTR. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Clean, low-noise 5.0 V supply for high-speed digital interfaces and analog sensor biasing. Use Value: 89 µVRMS output noise prevents image artifacts; 280 °C/W θJA allows thermal design within 2.9 mm × 1.6 mm footprint. |
Use Scenario: Skin-contact heart rate monitor with photodiode array, analog front-end, and Bluetooth LE SoC, requiring zero audible switching noise and minimal self-heating. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ultra-low-IQ 5.0 V regulator for analog signal conditioning and digital logic; powers only during active measurement bursts. Use Value: Sub-µA ground current minimizes thermal drift on skin; industrial temp rating ensures reliability during body-worn operation up to 40°C ambient. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-quiescent-current LDO applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCP1700T-5002E/TT | 1.6 µA typical IQ, 175 mV dropout at 250 mA, SOT-23-3 package (no N/C pins) | Higher dropout limits usable input range; 3-pin package reduces layout flexibility vs. 5-pin NTR | Select when higher output current (250 mA) is needed and 175 mV dropout is acceptable |
| TPS78050QDCYRQ1 | 500 nA IQ, AEC-Q100 Grade 2 qualified, 125 mV dropout at 150 mA, 5-pin SOT-23 | Automotive-qualified with tighter initial accuracy (±1%), but higher cost and longer lead time | Select for automotive-grade reliability where sub-µA IQ and qualification outweigh cost sensitivity |
Compared with MCP1700T-5002E/TT and TPS78050QDCYRQ1, MC78LC50NTR offers the optimal balance of ultra-low IQ (1.1 µA), minimal dropout (30 mV), and industrial-grade performance in a compact 5-pin SOT-23-5 - making it ideal for cost-sensitive, battery-limited portable instrumentation where every microamp and millivolt matters.
Availability
MC78LC50NTR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for handheld medical sensors, portable data loggers, digital camcorders, and wearable health monitors requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term manufacturability.
Supply support for MC78LC50NTR 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
onsemi (formerly ON Semiconductor) is a global semiconductor supplier focused on energy-efficient electronics, with leadership in power management, analog, and sensing technologies.
The MC78LC00 series was designed specifically for micropower, low-dropout regulation in battery-powered portable equipment - emphasizing ultra-low quiescent current, ceramic-capacitor compatibility, and industrial temperature resilience.
FAQ
What is the minimum input voltage required for MC78LC50NTR to maintain 5.0 V regulation?
The MC78LC50NTR maintains regulation down to a dropout voltage of 30 mV (typical) at 1.0 mA load, meaning the minimum input voltage is 5.03 V. At higher loads (e.g., 80 mA), dropout rises to 38 mV per datasheet - so VIN(min) = 5.038 V. This enables reliable operation near end-of-discharge in single-cell Li-ion or alkaline systems. Always verify with actual load and temperature conditions in your design.
Can MC78LC50NTR operate with a 0.1 µF ceramic output capacitor?
Yes - the MC78LC50NTR is explicitly designed for stability with a minimum 0.1 µF ceramic output capacitor, as confirmed in the Applications Information section (Figure 20) and Electrical Characteristics table. Unlike many LDOs, it imposes no ESR requirement, eliminating the need for tantalum or polymer capacitors and simplifying BOM and layout for space-constrained designs.
What is the thermal performance of MC78LC50NTR in its Thin SOT-23-5 package?
In the Thin SOT-23-5 (NTR) package, MC78LC50NTR has a junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θJA) of 280 °C/W. At 25°C ambient and 80 mA output into 5.0 V, power dissipation is ~320 mW - resulting in ~90°C junction rise. With proper PCB copper area (≥100 mm² thermal pad), junction temperature remains safely below the 125°C maximum. Derating is recommended above 60°C ambient.
Does MC78LC50NTR require input capacitance, and if so, what value?
Yes - a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor (C1) is recommended at the input pin (Pin 2) and must be placed close to the MC78LC50NTR package per Figure 20. This minimizes high-frequency noise and improves line transient response. Larger values (e.g., 1.0 µF) further enhance immunity to input ripple but are not required for basic stability.
Is MC78LC50NTR pin-compatible with other members of the MC78LC00 series?
Yes - all MC78LCxxNTR variants (e.g., MC78LC30NTR, MC78LC33NTR) share identical Thin SOT-23-5 (Case 483) pinout and footprint. Only the output voltage differs (1.5 V to 5.0 V in 100 mV steps), enabling drop-in replacement during prototyping or voltage-scaling revisions without PCB changes.
MC78LC50NTR Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- onsemi
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- SOT-23-5 Thin, TSOT-23-5
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 12V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 5V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 0.038V @ 1mA
- Current - Output:
- 100mA
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 3.6 µA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- -
- PSRR:
- -
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 5-TSOP
MC78LC50NTR FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MC78LC50NTR through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MC78LC50NTR 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 MC78LC50NTR reliable?
The price and inventory of MC78LC50NTR are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MC78LC50NTR is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MC78LC50NTR?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MC78LC50NTR transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MC78LC50NTR?
MC78LC50NTR orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MC78LC50NTR 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 MC78LC50NTR?
For technical support, including MC78LC50NTR datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MC78LC50NTR requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MC78LC50NTR is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MC78LC50NTR 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 MC78LC50NTR meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MC78LC50NTR?
All MC78LC50NTR units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MC78LC50NTR, 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 MC78LC50NTR part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MC78LC50NTR:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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