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Power

LDO

Low-Dropout regulator
Linear voltage regulator. Cheap, simple, inefficient at large voltage drops.

How it looks

Drawing: this is not on CORE3588, so it is drawn
5 V inLDOregulator3.3 V out1.7 V x current = heat
An LDO in a circuit: everything above 3.3 V is burnt off as heat. CORE3588 has no LDO; it uses buck converters.

How it works

A LINEAR REGULATOR5 V in3.3 V outLDOacts like a self-adjusting resistordrops 1.7 V; that energy becomes heat5 V to 3.3 V: about 66% efficient. 3.6 V to 3.3 V: about 92%.

Where it fits

The alternative is a switching buck converter: more efficient, more parts. Both make VCC rails from VIN.

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