Low dropout voltage的意思

"Low Dropout" (LDO) is a term used in electronics, particularly in the context of voltage regulators. An LDO voltage regulator is a type of linear regulator that can provide a stable output voltage while operating with a small difference between its input and output voltages.

The "dropout voltage" of a voltage regulator is the minimum difference required between the input voltage and the output voltage for the regulator to function properly. A low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator has a lower minimum voltage differential than other types of linear regulators, which means it can maintain regulation with a smaller input-to-output voltage gap.

This is particularly useful in applications where the input voltage may be only slightly higher than the desired output voltage, or where the available input voltage range is limited. LDOs are often used in portable devices, where battery voltage can be close to the required voltage for components, or in systems where a minimal number of components are required for design simplicity or efficiency.