Low-dropout regulator

Patent Pending A low-dropout or LDO regulator is a DC linear voltage regulator which can regulate the output voltage even when the supply voltage is very close to the output voltage.[1] The advantages of a low dropout voltage regulator over other DC to DC regulators include lower switching noise (as no switching takes place), smaller device size (as neither large inductors nor transformers are needed), and greater design simplicity (usually consists of a reference, an amplifier, and a pass element).