Renesas UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ

Overview

UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ from Renesas Electronics is a three-terminal, low-dropout positive-voltage regulator delivering 0.3 A output current with a fixed 1.8 V output voltage, CMOS-based architecture enabling 60 μA typical quiescent current, and integrated overcurrent and thermal protection circuits - deployed in digital TV power rails, audio subsystems, and HDD logic supplies.

For engineers reviewing the UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ datasheet, UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ pinout, UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ application, or UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage at 0.15 A (0.4 V typ.), output noise (120 μV_r.m.s.), ripple rejection (63 dB at 1 kHz), and SC-62 package thermal resistance (62.5°C/W on 16 cm² ceramic substrate).

Technical Context

The UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ employs a CMOS pass transistor structure to achieve ultra-low quiescent current and stable regulation under load transients. Its internal error amplifier compares output voltage against a precision reference, driving the pass element to maintain regulation across input voltages from 3.2 V to 5.5 V.

Protection is implemented via dedicated on-chip circuits: thermal shutdown activates above +150°C junction temperature, and overcurrent limiting restricts peak output to 0.2 A during short-circuit conditions - both functions are fully autonomous and require no external components.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ is housed in the SC-62 surface-mount package (4.5 mm × 2.5 mm × 1.5 mm), optimized for high thermal performance and board-space efficiency in compact consumer electronics.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ, AP2112K-1.8TRG1 offers higher output current at the cost of increased dropout and noise, while MCP1700T-1802E/TT delivers dramatically lower quiescent current but cannot sustain the 0.3 A requirement - making UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ the optimal balance for 1.8 V, 0.3 A consumer electronics power rails.

Availability

UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for digital TV, audio systems, and HDD applications requiring stable component supply, RoHS compliance, and long-term industrial availability.

Supply support for UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ 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

Renesas Electronics is a global semiconductor leader delivering microcontrollers, analog, power, and connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets.

The μPD120Nxx series was designed specifically for space-constrained, low-power consumer electronics requiring stable, low-noise, fixed-output LDO regulation - targeting digital TV, audio, HDD, and DVD platforms.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage rating for UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ?

The absolute maximum input voltage for UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ is +6 V. Exceeding this value, even momentarily, risks permanent device damage. The recommended operating range is 3.2 V to 5.5 V, ensuring proper regulation and thermal safety under full 0.3 A load. Operation outside these limits voids reliability guarantees and may trigger internal protection circuits unpredictably.

Does UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ require external capacitors, and if so, what values?

Yes, UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ requires two external capacitors: a minimum 0.1 μF ceramic capacitor (C_IN) between INPUT and GND, placed within 2 cm of the IC, and a minimum 10 μF output capacitor (C_OUT) between OUTPUT and GND with 1–8 Ω ESR. These are mandatory for stability, noise suppression, and transient response - omitting either causes oscillation or poor load regulation.

What thermal performance can be expected from UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ in a typical PCB layout?

When mounted on a 16 cm² ceramic substrate (0.7 mm thick), UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ achieves a thermal resistance of 62.5°C/W. At 0.3 A output into 1.8 V, with 4.5 V input (1.2 W dissipation), junction temperature rise is ~75°C above ambient - keeping TJ well below the 125°C max operating limit at +85°C ambient. Smaller copper areas significantly degrade this performance.

Is UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ compatible with lead-free reflow soldering processes?

Yes, UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ is Pb-free compliant (AZ suffix) and qualified for infrared reflow with peak package surface temperature ≤260°C for ≤60 seconds at ≥220°C. It supports up to three reflow cycles. Partial heating is also permitted at ≤350°C for ≤3 seconds per side. Rosin-based, low-chlorine flux (<0.2 wt% Cl) is recommended to prevent corrosion.

How does the overcurrent protection in UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ behave during a short circuit?

During an output short to GND, UPD120N18T1B-E1-AZ limits peak current to approximately 0.2 A, independent of input voltage. This foldback-like behavior prevents destructive power dissipation and trace damage. The device remains operational after fault removal, with no latch-off or manual reset required - enabling robust, maintenance-free protection in consumer-grade power rails.