LM317T Voltage Regulator with Pass Transistor

There is an alternative solution when deciding between a step-down switching regulator and a linear regulator. Switching regulators dissipate less heat than linear regulators especially when the input voltage is much higher than the output voltage or the output load current is relative high. On the other hand, linear regulators are very simple and dont require inductors. What if there was a switching regulator circuit could be simplified and fitted inside a surface mount package and the complete solution became as simple as a regulators circuit?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKcHFv9u2Fs&hl=en