The LP2950 and LP2951 are micropower voltage regulators with very low dropout voltage (typically 40mV at light loads and 380mV at 100mA), and very low quiescent current (75µA typical). The quiescent current of the LP2950/LP2951 increases only slightly in dropout, thus prolonging battery life. This feature, among others, makes the LP2950 and LP2951 ideally suited for use in battery-powered systems.

Available in a 3-pin TO-92 package, the LP2950 is pin-compatible with the older 5V regulators. Additional system functions, such as programmable output voltage and logic-controlled shutdown, are available in the 8-pin DIP and 8-pin SOIC versions of the LP2951.

Additional features available with the LP2951 also include an error flag output that warns of a low output voltage, which is often due to failing batteries on the input. This may also be used as a power-on reset. A logic-compatible shutdown input is also available which enables the regulator to be switched on and off. This part may also be pin-strapped for a 5V output, or programmed from 1.24V to 29V with the use of two external resistors.

The LP2950 is available as either an -02 or -03 version. The -02 and -03 versions are guaranteed for junction temperatures from -40°C to +125°C; the -02 version has a tighter output and reference voltage specification range over temperature. The LP2951 is available as an -02 or -03 version.

The LP2950 and LP2951 both have a tight initial tolerance (0.5% typical), a very low output voltage temperature coefficient, which allows use as a low-power voltage reference, and extremely good load and line regulation (0.05% typical). This greatly reduces the error in the overall circuit and is the result of careful design techniques and process controls.