Onsemi NCP171AMX180175TCG - Ultra-Low Power 1.8V LDO Voltage Regulator

• Ultra-Low Quiescent Current: 50nA in Low Power Mode (LPM), 95µA in Active Mode.
• Dual-Mode Operation: Toggle between 80mA Active Mode and 5mA LPM via ECO pin.
• Output Voltage Offset: Factory-set 50mV drop in LPM for additional power savings.

 

Onsemi NCP171AMX180175TCG Ultra-Low Power LDO Regulator

The NCP171AMX180175TCG from onsemi is a dual-mode LDO voltage regulator designed for ultra-low-power applications. Featuring 50nA quiescent current in Low Power Mode (LPM) and 80mA output current in Active Mode, this regulator is optimized for battery-operated devices like IoT sensors, wearables, and portable electronics. Its 1.8V fixed output with ±2% accuracy, factory-programmable voltage offset (50mV) in LPM, and 65dB PSRR make it ideal for noise-sensitive designs. Housed in a miniature XDFN-4 package (1.2mm × 1.2mm), the NCP171AMX180175TCG supports dynamic mode switching via the ECO pin, enabling seamless transitions between high-efficiency sleep states and high-performance active operation. Additional features like active discharge (50Ω NMOS pulldown) and thermal protection ensure robust system reliability.

Key Features

• Ultra-Low Quiescent Current: 50nA in Low Power Mode (LPM), 95µA in Active Mode.
• Dual-Mode Operation: Toggle between 80mA Active Mode and 5mA LPM via ECO pin.
• Output Voltage Offset: Factory-set 50mV drop in LPM for additional power savings.
• Wide Input Range: 1.7V to 5.5V accommodates Li-ion, coin cell, and energy-harvesting sources.
• High PSRR: 65dB @ 1kHz minimizes noise in RF/wireless applications.

Specifications

Electrical Characteristics

Physical & Environmental

Functional Modes

Applications

1. Battery-Powered IoT Devices

• Sensors/Wireless Modules: Maximizes battery life with 50nA LPM and 50mV offset. Compatible with LoRa, BLE, Zigbee.
• Energy Harvesting: Operates down to 1.7V input, ideal for solar/kinetic energy systems.

2. Wearable Electronics

• Smartwatches/Fitness Bands: Minimizes standby power in sleep modes.
• Hearing Aids: Ultra-low noise (<65dB PSRR) ensures clean audio supply.

3. Industrial & Consumer Electronics

• RFID Tags: 30nA shutdown current extends shelf life.
• Portable Medical Devices: Reliable regulation for glucose monitors/SPO₂ sensors.

Design Considerations

1. Mode Transition Timing

• Startup: Device defaults to Active Mode for 35ms (stabilizes output capacitor).
• ECO Pin Control: Use GPIO/MCU to toggle modes dynamically.

2. PCB Layout Guidelines

• Place 10µF ceramic capacitor near V_OUT (minimize ESR).
• Keep ECO/ENA traces short to avoid noise coupling.

3. Thermal Management

• At 80mA load, ensure ambient temperature ≤ 85°C (400mW limit).

Ordering Information

Packaging Options:

• 3000 units/reel (Tape & Reel)
• Cut Tape (Prototyping)

Why Choose This LDO?

1. Industry-Leading Efficiency: 50nA IQ outperforms competitors (e.g., TPS7A02: 300nA).
2. Space-Saving Design: 1.2mm² footprint fits wearables/PCB-constrained designs.
3. Configurable Power Modes: Dynamic ECO control adapts to load demands.

Resources

• NCP171AMX180175TCG Datasheet (Detailed specs & application circuits)

Introduction to NCP171 LDO Regulator Series

The NCP171 series from onsemi represents a groundbreaking advancement in low-dropout (LDO) regulator technology, specifically optimized for battery-powered and ultra-low-power applications. Designed for IoT, wearable devices, medical electronics, and wireless sensors, this regulator family delivers unmatched efficiency, flexibility, and miniaturization—making it an ideal choice for designers seeking long battery life and compact power solutions. With an industry-leading quiescent current (IQ) of just 50nA in Low Power Mode (LPM) and dual-mode operation, the NCP171 dynamically adjusts power consumption based on system requirements. The unique programmable voltage offset further enhances efficiency, reducing standby power consumption without compromising performance.

Key Features & Innovations

1. Ultra-Low Quiescent Current (50nA in LPM)

Traditional LDOs consume microamps (µA) or even milliamps (mA) in standby, drastically reducing battery life in portable applications. The NCP171 achieves an unprecedented 50nA IQ, making it ideal for multi-year battery-operated devices such as:

• Wireless IoT sensors (LoRa, Zigbee, BLE)
• Medical wearables (ECG patches, glucose monitors)
• Energy harvesting systems
• Trackers & RFID tags

By minimizing background current draw, the NCP171 extends coin-cell battery life by months or even years compared to conventional LDOs.

2. Dual-Mode Operation (Active & Low Power Modes)

The NCP171 introduces dynamic power management through its ECO (Energy Control Optimization) pin:

• Active Mode (ECO = High)
  • Supports up to 80mA load current
  • Delivers 65dB PSRR for clean power in RF/wireless applications
  • Fast transient response (~35µs) for MCU/SOC startup
• Low Power Mode (LPM) (ECO = Low)
  • Limited to 5mA load, but with a mere 50nA IQ
  • Optimized for deep sleep states in battery-powered systems
  • Automatically enabled after startup (~35ms delay)

This flexibility allows systems to seamlessly transition between high-performance and ultra-low-power states, maximizing efficiency.

3. Programmable Output Voltage Offset (50mV - 200mV)

A unique innovation in the NCP171 is its factory-programmable voltage offset in Low Power Mode:

• In Active Mode, output voltage = nominal 1.8V / 2.8V / 3.3V (±2%)
• In Low Power Mode, voltage drops by a predefined 50mV/100mV/150mV/200mV
  • Example: A 1.8V LDO operating in LPM with a 100mV offset outputs 1.7V
  • This reduces power consumption even further while maintaining stability

This feature is particularly useful in ultra-low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) that can operate at slightly reduced voltages when inactive.

4. Compact XDFN-4 Package (1.2mm × 1.2mm)

• One of the smallest LDO packages available
• Footprint: 1.44mm² (ideal for wearables/implantable devices)
• 0.4mm height allows stacking in dense PCB layouts

5. Active Discharge Functionality

• 50Ω NMOS pulldown quickly discharges output when disabled (<0.4V on ENA pin)
• Prevents floating outputs in shutdown
• Critical for fast power cycling in wireless modules

6. Robust Protection Features

• Overcurrent protection (thermal foldback)
• Short-circuit resilience
• Wide temperature range: -55°C to +85°C
• Low dropout voltage: 55mV–110mV

Comparative Advantage Over Competing LDOs

→ Why NCP171 Wins:

• Best-in-class IQ for longest battery life
• Smaller footprint than alternatives
• Smart mode switching enhances efficiency
• Medical/industrial-grade reliability

Conclusion & Ideal Applications

The NCP171 LDO series redefines power efficiency for battery-operated designs by combining nanoamp current, adaptive voltage scaling, and ultra-small packaging. Whether used in medical patches, IoT sensors, or wearables, it ensures industry-leading power savings without sacrificing stability or reliability.

Best Applications:

• Wireless Sensor Nodes (LoRa, NB-IoT, BLE)
• Medical Devices (ECG patches, insulin pumps)
• Consumer Wearables (Smartwatches, fitness bands)
• Industrial Sensors (Predictive maintenance monitors)
• Energy Harvesting Systems (Solar/RF-powered devices)

Final Takeaways

🔋 50nA IQ → Multi-year battery operation 🔄 ECO Pin Control → Optimizes active/LPM transitions 📉 Voltage Offset → Further cuts standby power 📐 Tiny Package → Fits even implantable medical devices The NCP171 series stands alone as the ultimate ultra-low-power LDO for next-gen IoT and portable electronics. 🚀

NCP171 Product Comparison

Selection Guidance

1. Choose 1.8V version for:
   • Low-power MCUs (Cortex-M0+/M33)
   • Memory/SoC core voltage rails
2. Choose 2.8V version for:
   • Coin-cell-powered sensors
   • RF front-end circuits
3. Choose 3.3V version for:
   • Wireless transceivers (LoRa/BLE)
   • Legacy 3.3V system rails

All variants support -55°C to +85°C operation and come in tape-and-reel packaging for automated assembly.

Conclusion

The NCP171AMX180175TCG redefines power efficiency for 1.8V systems, combining nanoamp quiescent current with robust performance. Its dual-mode operation, active discharge, and industrial temperature range make it a top choice for:

• Engineers optimizing battery runtime.
• Designers needing miniaturized power solutions.
• IoT developers leveraging energy harvesting.