National Semiconductor's 250 mA LDO Regulator Boosts Battery Life

In the grand scheme of technology, I'm still not sure why we're still buying disposable batteries, aside from what is commonly known as the "Golden Rule," translated in modern times to "Whoever has the gold makes the rules." In my mind, there's no reason that a PDA should go South because you forgot to stop by Radio Shack to pick up a pile of AAs. At least a lot of companies are working toward making those disposable batteries last longer (lithium ion batteries don't last forever either). National Semiconductor is among those who are working to keep gadgets running longer on non-renewable power sources and just let us know about a new 250 mA low dropout (LDO) regulator that increases operating time for wireless, laptop and PDA apps. National says the new device provides low power dissipation, a high power supply rejection ratio (PSRR), low dropout voltage, and low noise. National's LP2992 LDO offers two enhancements over the company's LP2985 family: lower dropout and higher current capability. Improvements in dropout voltage let folks build systems that discharge batteries to the lowest possible level to increase operating time for applications like wireless and handheld portable battery-powered systems, handheld meters, cellular phones, pagers, PDAs, laptops and global positioning satellite (GPS) systems. The LP2992 LDO regulator features dropout voltage of 250 mV at 150 mA; output voltage accuracy of +/-1.0%; low output capacitor requirements; and over-temperature and over-current protection. The LP2992 comes in a SOT-23-5 package and (soon) in a leadless leadframe package (LLP). National's LP2992 LDO regulator in the SOT-23-5 packaging is priced at $0.39 each in 1,000 units.