Dropout voltage意思

"Dropout voltage" is a term commonly used in the context of power supplies, particularly linear regulators. It refers to the minimum input voltage required by a regulator to continue operating without any reduction in its output voltage. When the input voltage drops below the dropout voltage, the regulator is no longer able to maintain its regulated output, and the output voltage will start to decrease.

For example, consider a linear regulator with a dropout voltage of 2 volts. If the input voltage drops below 2 volts, the output voltage will also start to decrease, potentially causing issues for the components that depend on the stable output voltage.

The dropout voltage is an important consideration when designing a power supply system, as it ensures that the regulator can continue to operate effectively over a range of input voltages.