Minimum component efficient voltage regulator

T

Tim Watts

Guest
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Say 3-6V nominal in, fixed output of somewhere between 3.5-5V. About
0.2A-0.3A max current.


Actual voltage is less important than the fact it is stable so I can
design to it.

Classic linear regulators are rather inefficient needing typically 2V
more input than the output voltage. So it sounds like a job for a
switching device - but I'm after a ready to run as near to single
component option as possible - certainly no more than say 5 supporting
components.


Are there any bog standard options these days for that type of problem?


Battery choice is flexible so if a step-down only is simpler than one
that can step-up and step-down that's fine.


Sorry if that is a dumb question - I took hope from the ".basics" group
name that it would be tolerated ;-)

Thank you in advance,

Tim
 
Does this work for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Terminal-5V-1A-Switching-Voltage-Regulator-Power-Supply-/261243604047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd3550c4f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Terminal-3-3V-1A-Switching-Voltage-Regulator-Power-Supply-/261213515448?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd189eeb8
 
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.
Click to expand...

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)
 
On 03/07/15 22:47, jfeng@my-deja.com wrote:
Does this work for you?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Terminal-5V-1A-Switching-Voltage-Regulator-Power-Supply-/261243604047?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd3550c4f

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Terminal-3-3V-1A-Switching-Voltage-Regulator-Power-Supply-/261213515448?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd189eeb8
Click to expand...

Thank you! Using some of the terms in the description led me to:

http://goo.gl/UKBmTJ

(Farnell, UK) my usual supplier. And dirt cheap (for what they are) at
about 3 quid - most acceptable. I'm thinking the 3.3V driven from 4xNiMH
cells should work over about 1/2 the useful capacity of the cells (down
to about 1.1V per cell), better to use 6 cells - which is still OK but
will use the entire capacity of the cells.
 
On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)
Click to expand...
You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net
 
Even though you already have your answer..

On Fri, 03 Jul 2015 22:24:09 +0100, Tim Watts wrote:

Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).

I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Say 3-6V nominal in, fixed output of somewhere between 3.5-5V. About
0.2A-0.3A max current.

Actual voltage is less important than the fact it is stable so I can
design to it.
Click to expand...

Speaking of voltage stability, I've had significant success using the
basic base-connected zener diode regulator. Converts 5V to 3.3V, which is
within your specifications. The only significant drawback is that the
zener might require significant (read: unacceptable) current to be stable
and also that it draws power all the time.
 
On Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:03:50 -0400, Phil Hobbs
<hobbs@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)

You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs
Click to expand...

---
Ah, yes, fond memories of days gone by... ;)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezxsi0a3dxbvgm3/EC1bInside.JPG?dl=0

John Fields
 
On 05/07/15 12:02, John Fields wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:03:50 -0400, Phil Hobbs
hobbs@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)

You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

---
Ah, yes, fond memories of days gone by... ;)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezxsi0a3dxbvgm3/EC1bInside.JPG?dl=0

John Fields
Click to expand...

I was going to say "bit tag board" to the PP but I did not want to
appear rude ;->

I must admit I have never seen that approach done with modern components
and I say that with the greatest of respect!
 
In article <mnbdv1$59d$1@speranza.aioe.org>, akuktin@gmail.com says...
Even though you already have your answer..

On Fri, 03 Jul 2015 22:24:09 +0100, Tim Watts wrote:

Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).

I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Say 3-6V nominal in, fixed output of somewhere between 3.5-5V. About
0.2A-0.3A max current.

Actual voltage is less important than the fact it is stable so I can
design to it.

Speaking of voltage stability, I've had significant success using the
basic base-connected zener diode regulator. Converts 5V to 3.3V, which is
within your specifications. The only significant drawback is that the
zener might require significant (read: unacceptable) current to be stable
and also that it draws power all the time.
Click to expand...

Put a low current incandescient lamp in series with the bias R,
drop the value of R down a bit and you'll get some extra help
on the biasing as the current in the zener drops due to demand.

Old trick, used years ago in old stuff!!!!!!!!! :)

Some even used that same bulb for a panel light and could tell
when the power supply was on demand because the lamp would dim!

Jamie
 
On 07/05/2015 07:02 AM, John Fields wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:03:50 -0400, Phil Hobbs
hobbs@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)

You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

---
Ah, yes, fond memories of days gone by... ;)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezxsi0a3dxbvgm3/EC1bInside.JPG?dl=0

John Fields
Click to expand...

Yeah, but mine was built last week, whereas yours was obviously salvaged
from the wreck of the Titanic. ;)

Here's another one from a couple of years ago--it's a dual SMPS and
demod box for a transcutaneous blood constituents sensor.


Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net
 
On 07/05/2015 07:02 AM, John Fields wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:03:50 -0400, Phil Hobbs
hobbs@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I ;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)

You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

---
Ah, yes, fond memories of days gone by... ;)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezxsi0a3dxbvgm3/EC1bInside.JPG?dl=0

John Fields
Click to expand...

Yeah, but mine was built last week, whereas yours was obviously salvaged
from the wreck of the Titanic. ;)

Here's another one from a couple of years ago--it's a dual SMPS and
demod box for a transcutaneous blood constituents sensor.

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/PowerServoDemodBox01.jpg


Cheers

Phil Hobbs

--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net
 
On 05/07/15 15:11, Aleksandar Kuktin wrote:
Even though you already have your answer..

On Fri, 03 Jul 2015 22:24:09 +0100, Tim Watts wrote:

Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).

I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Say 3-6V nominal in, fixed output of somewhere between 3.5-5V. About
0.2A-0.3A max current.

Actual voltage is less important than the fact it is stable so I can
design to it.

Speaking of voltage stability, I've had significant success using the
basic base-connected zener diode regulator. Converts 5V to 3.3V, which is
within your specifications. The only significant drawback is that the
zener might require significant (read: unacceptable) current to be stable
and also that it draws power all the time.
Click to expand...

I am wondering how hard it will be to do a home grown regulator with a
MOSFET which would not impose a 2V forward voltage drop? Something that
could clip 0.5-1V off a battery pack when they are fully charged,
clipping virtually nothing when they are at their nominal 1.2V output
and permitting operation when the voltage falls further (I could allow
LEDs to dim when the batteries are on their last legs - they would at
least be regulated over 80-90% of the range).
 
On 07/05/2015 10:04 AM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 05/07/15 12:02, John Fields wrote:
On Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:03:50 -0400, Phil Hobbs
hobbs@electrooptical.net> wrote:

On 7/3/2015 5:28 PM, Tim Watts wrote:
On 03/07/15 22:24, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital
person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage
regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Oh - and vero/bread-boardable so SMTs are out. (Don't want much do I
;-)

I thought I'd better pop that in :)

You can get SMT breakouts from Bellin Dynamic Systems. They come in
V-grooved sheets of various assortments. Here's a proto that has one in
it, to hold an LTC2602 dual DAC:

http://electrooptical.net/www/sed/CounterDACinterfacePhoto.jpg

I put header strips in the DIP pattern, and mounted it on some foam
double-sticky tape.

Cheers

Phil Hobbs

---
Ah, yes, fond memories of days gone by... ;)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ezxsi0a3dxbvgm3/EC1bInside.JPG?dl=0

John Fields


I was going to say "bit tag board" to the PP but I did not want to
appear rude ;-

I must admit I have never seen that approach done with modern components
and I say that with the greatest of respect!
Click to expand...

It is a bit fiddly--wiring up those four SO14 flip flop packages took
way longer than it would have with DIPs. Wire wrap wire is flexible
enough, but if you just wire them up with cut-off resistor leads as
usual, you'll twist the pins right off the package. I did cheat and
wire them up individually on the bench under my Mantis.

The little Bellin boards plus pin headers make it almost as fast as with
DIPs--I'd never have got that MSOP8 working dead-bug style without one.

I needed this one because my current main customer sprung an internal
deadline on me with zilch notice, and I had to scramble madly to get
results or get cancelled. (Fortunately, I started getting nice pictures
on Thursday.)

Dead bug is still faster and better than Vero board. (Vector 8007 isn't
bad--it's pad-per-pin with a ground plane, so you can do a bit of both
methods on one board. Expensive though, compared to eBay copperclad.)

Cheers

Phil Hobbs



--
Dr Philip C D Hobbs
Principal Consultant
ElectroOptical Innovations LLC
Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics

160 North State Road #203
Briarcliff Manor NY 10510

hobbs at electrooptical dot net
http://electrooptical.net
 
"Tim Watts" <tw_usenet@dionic.net> wrote in message
news:0e8o6c-svn.ln1@squidward.sv.dionic.net...
I am wondering how hard it will be to do a home grown regulator with a
MOSFET which would not impose a 2V forward voltage drop? Something that
could clip 0.5-1V off a battery pack when they are fully charged, clipping
virtually nothing when they are at their nominal 1.2V output and
permitting operation when the voltage falls further (I could allow LEDs to
dim when the batteries are on their last legs - they would at least be
regulated over 80-90% of the range).
Click to expand...

What about using a step up regulator ? There are some on ebay from China as
well as the step down switching regulator boards. They are only a few
dollars including shipping.
 
On Friday, July 3, 2015 at 5:24:16 PM UTC-4, Tim Watts wrote:
Hi,

I'm playing with AVR microcontrollers (I'm more a software/digital person).



I'm after a simple efficient on-a-chip inexpensive voltage regulator for
the main power rail for a battery powered device.

Say 3-6V nominal in, fixed output of somewhere between 3.5-5V. About
0.2A-0.3A max current.


Actual voltage is less important than the fact it is stable so I can
design to it.

Classic linear regulators are rather inefficient needing typically 2V
more input than the output voltage. So it sounds like a job for a
switching device - but I'm after a ready to run as near to single
component option as possible - certainly no more than say 5 supporting
components.


Are there any bog standard options these days for that type of problem?


Battery choice is flexible so if a step-down only is simpler than one
that can step-up and step-down that's fine.


Sorry if that is a dumb question - I took hope from the ".basics" group
name that it would be tolerated ;-)

Thank you in advance,

Tim
Click to expand...

So tell me again what's wrong with a three terminal voltage regulator?
There are bucket loads to choose from.
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/pmic-voltage-regulators-linear-ldo/2556290?k=voltage%20regulator

George H.
 
On 06/07/15 19:58, George Herold wrote:

So tell me again what's wrong with a three terminal voltage regulator?
There are bucket loads to choose from.
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/pmic-voltage-regulators-linear-ldo/2556290?k=voltage%20regulator
Click to expand...

2V forward drop on most of them... That's not insignificant with a 4-6V
circuit...
 
On Tue, 07 Jul 2015 05:03:58 +1000, Tim Watts <tw_usenet@dionic.net> wrote:

On 06/07/15 19:58, George Herold wrote:


So tell me again what's wrong with a three terminal voltage regulator?
There are bucket loads to choose from.
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/pmic-voltage-regulators-linear-ldo/2556290?k=voltage%20regulator


2V forward drop on most of them... That's not insignificant with a 4-6V
circuit...
Click to expand...

MCP1703

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?product=MCP1703A
 
On 07/07/15 01:42, David Eather wrote:
On Tue, 07 Jul 2015 05:03:58 +1000, Tim Watts <tw_usenet@dionic.net> wrote:

On 06/07/15 19:58, George Herold wrote:


So tell me again what's wrong with a three terminal voltage regulator?
There are bucket loads to choose from.
http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/integrated-circuits-ics/pmic-voltage-regulators-linear-ldo/2556290?k=voltage%20regulator



2V forward drop on most of them... That's not insignificant with a
4-6V circuit...

MCP1703

http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?product=MCP1703A
Click to expand...

"Low DropOut" aka LDO?

I have not come across that term - but it makes sense now - putting your
chip into Farnell found a whole category of "LDO" regulators:

http://goo.gl/2WewC5

with fantastically low dropout voltages. Bookmarked now :)

That was incredibly useful - I'll get some of those.

Thank you!

Tim
 
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