
FAN2518/FAN2519
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION
REV. 1.0.6 2/14/03
3
An Enable pin, available on all devices, allows the user to 
shut down the regulator output to conserve power, reducing 
supply current to less than 1μA. The output can then be 
re-Enabled within 500μSec, fulfilling the fast power-cycling 
needs of CDMA applications. Depending on the model 
selected, other control and status functions are available at 
pin 4 to enhance the operation of the device. The adjustable-
voltage versions utilize pin 4 to connect to an external 
voltage divider which feeds back to the regulator error 
amplifier, thereby setting the voltage as desired. Two other 
functions are available in the fixed-voltage versions: in 
noise-sensitive applications, an external Bypass capacitor 
connection is provided that allows the user to achieve opti-
mal noise performance at the output, while the Error output 
functions as a diagnostic flag to indicate that the output 
voltage has dropped more than 5% below the nominal fixed 
voltage. 
Applications Information
External Capacitors – Selection
The FAN2518/19 allows the user to utilize a wide variety of 
capacitors compared to other LDO products. An innovative 
design approach offers significantly reduced sensitivity to 
ESR (Effective Series Resistance), which degrades regulator 
loop stability in older designs. While the improvements fea-
tured in the FAN2518/19 family greatly simplify the design 
task, capacitor quality still must be considered if the designer 
is to achieve optimal circuit performance. In general, 
ceramic capacitors offer superior ESR performance, at a 
lower cost and a smaller case size than tantalums. Those with 
X7R or Y5Vdielectric offer the best temperature coefficient 
characteristics. The combination of tolerance and variation 
over temperature in some capacitor types can result in signif-
icant variations, resulting in unstable performance over rated 
conditions.
Input Capacitor
An input capacitor of 2.2μF (nominal value) or greater, 
connected between the Input pin and Ground, located in 
close proximity to the device, will improve transient 
response and noise rejection. Higher values will offer supe-
rior input ripple rejection and transient response. An input 
capacitor is recommended when the input source, either a 
battery or a regulated AC voltage, is located far from the 
device. Any good quality ceramic, tantalum, or metal film 
capacitor will give acceptable performance, however tanta-
lum capacitors with a surge current rating appropriate to the 
application must be selected to avoid catastrophic failure. 
Output Capacitor
An output capacitor is required to maintain regulator loop 
stability. Unlike many other LDO regulators, the FAN2518/19
family of products are nearly insensitive to output capacitor 
ESR. Stable operation will be achieved with a wide variety 
of capacitors with ESR values ranging from 10m
 to 10
 or 
more. Tantalum or aluminum electrolytic, or multilayer 
ceramic types can all be used. A nominal value of at least 
1μF is recommended.
Bypass Capacitor (FAN2518 Only)
In the fixed-voltage configuration, connecting a capacitor 
between the bypass pin and ground can significantly reduce 
noise on the output. Values ranging from 470pF to 10nF can 
be used, depending on the sensitivity to output noise in the 
application. 
At the high-impedance Bypass pin, care must be taken in the 
circuit layout to minimize noise pickup, and capacitors must 
be selected to minimize current loading (leakage). Noise 
pickup from external sources can be considerable. Leakage 
currents into the Bypass pin will directly affect regulator 
accuracy and should be kept as low as possible; thus, high-
quality ceramic and film types are recommended for their 
low leakage characteristics. Cost-sensitive applications not 
concerned with noise can omit this capacitor. 
Control Functions
Enable Pin
Applying a voltage of 0.4V or less at the Enable pin will dis-
able the output, reducing the quiescent output current to less 
than 1μA, while a voltage of 2.0V or greater will enable the 
device. If this shutdown function is not needed, the pin can 
simply be connected to the V
IN
will cause erratic operation.
 pin. Allowing this pin to float 
Error Flag (FAN2519 Only)
To indicate conditions such as input voltage dropout 
(low V
IN
), overheating, or overloading (excessive output 
current), the ERR pin indicates a fault condition. It is an 
open-drain output which is HIGH when the voltage at V
is greater than 95% of the nominal rated output voltage and 
LOW when V
OUT
 is less than 95% or the rated output volt-
age, as specified in the error trip level characteristics. 
OUT
A logic pullup resistor of 100K
output. The pin can be left disconnected if unused. 
 is recommended at this 
Thermal Protection
The FAN2518/19 is designed to supply high peak output 
currents of up to 1A for brief periods, however this output 
load will cause the device temperature to increase and 
exceed maximum ratings due to power dissipation. During 
output overload conditions, when the die temperature 
exceeds the shutdown limit temperature of 150°C, onboard 
thermal protection will disable the output until the tempera-
ture drops below this limit, at which point the output is 
then re-enabled. During a thermal shutdown situation the 
user may assert the power-down function at the Enable 
pin, reducing power consumption to the minimum level 
I
GND
 · V
IN
.