General Des criptionThe LM2990 is a three-terminal, low dropout, 1 amperenegative voltage regulator available with fixed output volt-ages of −5, −5.2, −12, and −15V.The LM2990 uses new circuit design techniques to provideow dropout and low quiescent current. The dropout voltageat 1A load current is typically 0.6V and a guaranteedworst-case maximum of 1V over the entire operating tem-perature range. The quiescent current is typically 1 mA with1A load current and an input-output voltage differentialgreater than 3V. A unique circuit design of the internal biassupply limits the quiescent current to only 9 mA (typical)when the regulator is in the dropout mode (VOUT −VIN ≤ 3V).Output voltage accuracy is guaranteed to ±5% over load,and temperature extremes.The LM2990 is short-circuit proof, and thermal shutdown in-cludes hysteresis to enhance the reliability of the devicewhen overloaded for an extended period of time. TheLM2990 is available in a 3-lead TO-220 package and is ratedfor operation over the automotive temperature range of−40˚C to +125˚C.Featuresn 5% output accuracy over entire operating rangen Output current in excess of 1An Dropout voltage typically 0.6V at 1A loadn Low quiescent currentn Internal short circuit current limitn Internal thermal shutdown with hysteresisn Functional complement to the LM2940 seriesApplicationsn Post switcher regulatorn Local, on-card, regulationn Battery operated equipment