Micrel, Inc. MIC4043 Functional Description The MIC4043 combines a GM amplifier, precision 1.245V reference, and a pass transistor in a single package. The operation of the MIC4043 is similar to conventional shunt regulators such as the industry standard ’431. In a closed loop system, the MIC4043 maintains the desired feedback voltage at the FB pin by sinking current onto the SNK pin proportional to the error voltage at the FB pin. The ratio of sink current to error voltage is the transconductance of the device. Reference The MIC4043 uses a high-side reference. External voltage dividers providing feedback to the MIC4043 will be inverted when compared to those used with ’431equivalent devices. Behavior The external feedback voltage is compared to the internal high-side 1.245V reference. If the feedback voltage, VFB, is less than VIN – VREF, the amplifier provides no drive to the sink transistor. If the feedback voltages are greater than VIN – VREF, the amplifier drives the pass transistor which sinks current to ground. October 10, 2014 7 Revision 2.0