Infineon TLE42744GV50 5V Voltage Regulator: Features, Applications, and Design Considerations
The Infineon TLE42744GV50 is a robust, monolithic integrated low-drop voltage regulator designed for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications. This 5V regulator stands out for its exceptional reliability, diagnostic capabilities, and protection features, making it a cornerstone component in systems demanding high operational integrity.
Key Features
The TLE42744GV50 is packed with features that ensure stable and safe power delivery. It offers a fixed 5V output voltage with a high accuracy of ±2%. A critical specification is its very low current consumption of only 85 µA in quiescent mode, which is essential for battery-powered and energy-sensitive applications. The device can deliver a maximum output current of 450 mA, sufficient for powering microcontrollers, sensors, and various ICs.
Its built-in overload and short-circuit protection safeguards both the regulator and the load from damage during fault conditions. Furthermore, it includes overtemperature protection that shuts down the device if the junction temperature exceeds safe limits. A significant automotive-grade feature is the reset circuit with a programmable delay time, which monitors the output voltage and provides a reset signal to a microcontroller until the supply voltage is stable and within regulation. An additional enable input allows for external control of the regulator, facilitating power management strategies.
Primary Applications
The TLE42744GV50 is engineered to meet the stringent requirements of the automotive industry, finding its place in:
Body Control Modules (BCMs): Powering microcontrollers and communication chips.
Instrument Clusters: Providing clean power for sensors and display drivers.
Engine Management Systems: Ensuring reliable operation of critical sensors under the hood.
Infotainment Systems: Acting as a local power source for various subsystems.

Beyond automotive, it is equally suitable for harsh industrial environments, such as:
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Factory Automation and Sensor Interfaces
General-purpose power supplies requiring a robust and reliable 5V rail.
Essential Design Considerations
Successful implementation of the TLE42744GV50 requires attention to several design aspects:
1. Input and Output Capacitors: The regulator requires capacitors on both the input and output for stability. A low-ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) capacitor is recommended on the output, typically in the range of 10 µF to 47 µF. The input capacitor (e.g., 100 nF ceramic) should be placed as close as possible to the IC to suppress line disturbances.
2. Thermal Management: Despite its integrated protections, thermal design is paramount. The maximum power dissipation is limited by the package (PG-TO252-5-11, also known as DPAK). Designers must calculate the power loss (P_loss = (V_in - V_out) I_out) and ensure the junction temperature does not exceed 150°C, potentially requiring a sufficient copper area on the PCB for heat sinking.
3. Reset Function Configuration: The delay time of the reset signal is set by an external capacitor connected to the C_T pin. The value of this capacitor must be chosen according to the specific microcontroller's required reset pulse width.
4. Enable Pin Handling: If the enable function is not used, the pin must be connected to the input voltage (V_I). It should not be left floating.
ICGOOODFIND: The Infineon TLE42744GV50 is a highly integrated and protected 5V voltage regulator that excels in harsh electrical environments. Its combination of low dropout, diagnostic features like the reset generator, and comprehensive protection mechanisms make it an exceptional choice for automotive and industrial systems where reliability is non-negotiable. Proper attention to capacitor selection and thermal layout is crucial for unlocking its full performance and robustness.
Keywords: Low-Dropout Regulator, Automotive Grade, Overcurrent Protection, Reset Circuit, Thermal Shutdown.
