Low Dropout Regulator

A Low Dropout Regulator (LDO) is a linear voltage regulator that can maintain a stable output voltage even when the input voltage is only slightly higher than the desired output voltage. Unlike switching regulators, LDOs operate by dissipating excess voltage as heat through a pass transistor, making them simple to implement and producing very low output noise. They are commonly used in battery-powered devices and sensitive analog circuits where a clean, stable voltage supply is critical, though they are less efficient than switching regulators due to their linear operation.