Hardware, software, electronics

In an increasing trend, networking, telecommunications, audio and instrumentation require low noise power supplies. In particular, there is interest in low noise, low dropout linear regulators (LDO). Establishing and specifying LDO dropout performance is relatively easy to do. Verifying that a regulator meets dropout specification is similarly straightforward. Accomplishing the same missions for noise and noise testing is considerably more involved. The noise bandwidth of interest must be called out, along with operating conditions. Low noise performance is affected by numerous subtleties; changes in operating conditions can cause unwelcome surprises. Because of this, LDO noise must be quoted under specified operating and bandwidth conditions to be meaningful. Failure to observe this precaution results in misleading data and erroneous conclusions. This document suggests a noise testing method, details its implementation and presents results.
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