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Design >> Analog Design >> Understanding the LM338 schematic
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Message started by aaron_do on Jun 30^th, 2013, 8:06am

Title: Understanding the LM338 schematic
Post by aaron_do on Jun 30^th, 2013, 8:06am

Hi all,

I've attached a schematic of the LM338 from TI. Its a voltage regulator. It can be easily found here:

http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm138.pdf

Just wondering what the different parts of the circuit are. I can identify a bandgap and the output transistor, so I'm guessing there's got to be some kind of error amplifier in there somewhere. Some of the circuitry looks to be protection circuitry, and I'd also appreciate if anybody knows a good reference to learn more about this stuff. BTW, I've never designed in bipolar before...

Any help is appreciated.

thanks,
Aaron