8.1.3 Dropout Voltage

The TPS746 uses a PMOS pass transistor to achieve low dropout. When (V_IN – V_OUT) is less than the dropout voltage (V_DO), the PMOS pass device is in the linear region of operation and the input-to-output resistance is the R_DS(ON) of the PMOS pass element. V_DO scales approximately with output current because the PMOS device behaves like a resistor in dropout mode. As with any linear regulator, PSRR and transient response degrade as (V_IN – V_OUT) approaches dropout operation.