Infineon TLE4252DATMA1 Low-Drop Voltage Regulator: Datasheet, Pinout, and Application Circuit Guide
The Infineon TLE4252DATMA1 is a monolithic integrated low-drop voltage regulator designed for a wide range of automotive and industrial applications. It provides a fixed 5V output voltage with a maximum output current of 250 mA, making it an ideal power management solution for supplying microcontrollers, sensors, and other low-power ICs. Its key advantage lies in its very low current consumption and minimal dropout voltage, ensuring high efficiency and reliable operation even under challenging conditions.
Key Features from the Datasheet
A thorough review of the datasheet reveals the component's robust design. Key electrical characteristics include:
Output Voltage (V_O): 5 V ±2% (at low current consumption)
Output Current (I_O): up to 250 mA
Dropout Voltage (V_DO): Typically 200 mV at I_O = 100 mA
Low Quiescent Current (I_Q): Typically 40 µA
Wide Input Voltage Range: Up to 42 V
Outstanding Protections: Short-circuit protection, reverse polarity protection, and over-temperature shutdown are integrated, making the device exceptionally robust against fault conditions common in automotive environments.
Status Output: An open-drain ERROR flag warns of an output voltage that is too low, which can be used to signal a fault condition to a microcontroller.
Pinout Configuration

The TLE4252DATMA1 is available in a PG-SOT223-4 package. The pinout is as follows:
Pin 1 (GND): Ground pin. This must be connected to the system ground.
Pin 2 (ERROR): Error output. This open-drain output goes active-low (pulled to GND) when the output voltage is out of regulation (e.g., during dropout or a short circuit). An external pull-up resistor is required.
Pin 3 (V_O): Regulated 5V output. A capacitor is required for stability.
Pin 4 (V_I): Input voltage pin. This pin must be decoupled with a capacitor.
Application Circuit Guide
A typical application circuit for the TLE4252DATMA1 is straightforward to implement, which is one of its major strengths. The basic schematic requires only a few external components for stable operation:
1. Input Capacitor (C_I): A 100 nF ceramic capacitor should be placed as close as possible between the input pin (V_I) and ground (GND). This capacitor is crucial for suppressing high-frequency disturbances on the input supply line.
2. Output Capacitor (C_O): A minimum output capacitor of 1 µF is required for stability. A ceramic capacitor with good ESR characteristics is recommended, placed close to the V_O and GND pins. Larger values (e.g., 2.2 µF to 10 µF) will improve transient response.
3. Error Pull-Up Resistor (R_ERR): A pull-up resistor (e.g., 10 kΩ to 100 kΩ) must be connected from the ERROR pin to a logic voltage source (often the regulated 5V output itself). This provides a high-logic signal when the error flag is not active.
This simple circuit provides a highly reliable and protected 5V power rail. For optimal performance, especially in electrically noisy environments like an automobile, proper PCB layout is essential: use short and wide traces for the input, output, and ground connections, and place the decoupling capacitors as close to the IC pins as possible.
The Infineon TLE4252DATMA1 stands out as an exceptionally robust and efficient solution for low-power 5V regulation. Its integrated protection features, including short-circuit and reverse polarity protection, make it a premier choice for the demanding requirements of automotive electronics. Its low dropout voltage and minimal quiescent current are critical for power-sensitive applications. The simple application circuit, requiring only three external components, allows for a compact and cost-effective design. For engineers designing systems that must operate reliably in harsh electrical environments, the TLE4252DATMA1 is a proven and trustworthy component.
Keywords: Low-Dropout Regulator, Automotive Electronics, 5V Regulator, Short-Circuit Protection, Infineon
