Difference between LDO and linear regulator

 LDO (Low Drop-Out) regulators and linear regulators are both types of voltage regulators that are commonly used to regulate the output voltage of a power supply. However, there are some differences between the two types.

A linear regulator is a voltage regulator that works by continuously adjusting its output voltage to maintain a stable output voltage regardless of changes in input voltage or load current. It does this by using a pass transistor to control the voltage drop across a series resistor. Linear regulators are simple and inexpensive, but they can have relatively low efficiency, especially when there is a large difference between the input and output voltages.

LDO regulators are a type of linear regulator that are designed to operate with a very small difference between the input and output voltages, typically on the order of a few hundred millivolts. This means that they can operate with a lower input voltage than a standard linear regulator, making them useful for battery-powered applications. LDO regulators typically have a higher efficiency than standard linear regulators, and can also provide better noise rejection.

In summary, the main difference between LDO and linear regulators is that LDO regulators are a type of linear regulator that are designed to operate with a very small difference between the input and output voltages, whereas standard linear regulators can operate with a larger voltage difference. LDO regulators are typically more efficient and provide better noise rejection, but they can be more expensive than standard linear regulators.