Infineon BCR116S: A Compact Low-Drop Linear Regulator for Modern Electronics
In the realm of power management, efficiency, stability, and space-saving design are paramount. The Infineon BCR116S stands out as a low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator specifically engineered to meet these demands in a wide array of general-purpose applications. Housed in a tiny SMD (Surface-Mount Device) package, this component is ideal for powering sensitive loads where a clean, stable voltage is required from a slightly higher input source.
The core functionality of the BCR116S is to provide a fixed 3.3V or 5.0V output (depending on the variant) from an input voltage that can be as little as a few hundred millivolts above this output. Its low dropout voltage is a critical feature, enabling continued regulation even as the input voltage dips very close to the desired output level. This maximizes efficiency and extends battery life in portable devices, a crucial advantage for modern consumer electronics.
Beyond its dropout performance, the BCR116S integrates several key protective features. It boasts built-in short-circuit and thermal overload protection, safeguarding both the regulator itself and the downstream circuitry from damage under fault conditions. Furthermore, its excellent load and line regulation ensures a stable output voltage despite fluctuations in the input supply or changes in the current drawn by the load.
A significant advantage of this regulator is its minimal external component count. Unlike many LDOs that require an external capacitor for stability, the BCR116S is internally compensated, requiring only a single external resistor to set the output current. This simplifies board design, reduces the overall bill of materials (BOM), and saves valuable PCB real estate.
Typical applications are vast and include:
Power management for microcontrollers (MCUs) and sensors in IoT nodes.
Providing a clean voltage rail for analog and digital circuits from a noisy main supply.
Serving as a localized voltage regulator on PCBs, placed close to the point of load to minimize noise and improve performance.
Use in automotive electronics, consumer appliances, and industrial control systems.
ICGOOODFIND: The Infineon BCR116S is a highly integrated, robust, and space-efficient solution for low-power voltage regulation. Its combination of a low dropout voltage, internal protection mechanisms, and minimal external component requirements makes it an exceptionally reliable and cost-effective choice for designers seeking to optimize their power management architecture.
Keywords: Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulator, SMD Package, Thermal Overload Protection, Fixed Output Voltage, Load Regulation.
