6286

Power Dissipation
                                                                 Internally Limited
Input-Output Voltage Differential
                                                                 +40V, -0.3V
Maximum Junction Temperature
                                                                 150 C
Storage Temperature Range
                                                                 -65 C to +150 C
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 seconds)
                                                                 260 C
Thermal Resistance
ThetaJA
    (Still Air)                                                90 C/W 
    (500LF/Min Air flow)                              63 C/W  
    ThetaJC                                                 47 C/W
ESD Tolerance
(Note 2)
                                                                  3kV
Note 1: Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings indicate conditions for which the device is intended to be functional, but do not guarantee specific performance limits. For guaranteed specifications and test conditions, see the Electrical Characteristics. The guaranteed specifications apply only for the test conditions listed.

Note 2: Human body model, 1.5K Ohms in series with 100pF.

The LM117 adjustable 3-terminal positive voltage regulator is capable of supplying in excess of 0.5A over a 1.2V to 37V output range. LM117 is exceptionally easy to use and requires only two external resistors to set the output voltage. Further, both line and load regulation are better than standard fixed regulators. 

In addition to higher performance than fixed regulators, the LM117 offers full overload protection available only in IC's. Included on the LM117 are current limit, thermal overload protection and safe area protection. All overload protection circuitry remains fully functional even if the adjustment terminal is disconnected.

Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is situated more than 6 inches from the input filter capacitors in which case an input bypass is needed. An optional output capacitor of LM117 can be added to improve transient response. The adjustment terminal can be bypassed to achieve very high ripple rejection ratios which are difficult to achieve with  standard 3-terminal regulators.

Besides replacing fixed regulators, the LM117 is useful in a wide variety of other applications. Since the regulator is "floating" and sees only the input-to-output differential voltage, supplies of several hundred volts can be regulated as long as the maximum input to output differential is not exceeded, (i.e., avoid short-circuiting the output).

Also, LM117 makes an especially simple adjustable switching regulator, or by connecting a fixed resistor between the adjustment pin and output, the LM117 can be used as a precision current regulator. Supplies of LM117 with electronic shutdown can be achieved by clamping the adjustment terminal to ground which programs the output to 1.2V where most loads draw little current.