2026, Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A
Comparative evaluation of linear vs switching voltage regulators for battery-powered embedded systems
Author(s): Somchai Prasert, Narissara Wongphan, Prasit Chaiyasuk and Kanokwan Srisawat
Abstract: Battery-powered embedded systems require voltage regulation that balances efficiency, noise performance, thermal management, and cost within stringent power budgets. This research compared four voltage regulator topologies commonly employed in portable electronics: standard linear regulators, low-dropout (LDO) regulators, asynchronous switching buck converters, and synchronous switching buck converters. Test circuits were constructed using representative components from each category, with performance characterization across load currents from 10 mA to 1 A operating from 9V lithium battery input to 5V regulated output. Efficiency measurements demonstrated synchronous buck converters achieving 93.1% efficiency at 1A load compared to 58.1% for LDO regulators and 45.8% for standard linear regulators. Thermal characterization revealed linear regulator junction temperatures reaching 185°C at maximum load without heatsinking, exceeding safe operating limits, while synchronous buck converters remained below 35°C under identical conditions. Output noise measurements showed linear regulators achieving 15 μVrms compared to 850 μVrms for switching converters, representing the fundamental trade-off between efficiency and noise performance. Battery runtime testing with 2000 mAh lithium cells demonstrated 4.2-hour operation with linear regulation versus 11.8 hours with synchronous switching at 500 mA continuous load. Cost analysis revealed linear regulators offering 73% lower component cost but requiring heatsinking that eliminated cost advantage at loads above 200 mA. These findings establish quantitative selection criteria enabling engineers to optimize regulator topology based on application-specific requirements for efficiency, noise, thermal constraints, and budget.
DOI: 10.22271/27084493.2026.v6.i1a.84
Pages: 45-50 | Views: 33 | Downloads: 14
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How to cite this article:
Somchai Prasert, Narissara Wongphan, Prasit Chaiyasuk, Kanokwan Srisawat. Comparative evaluation of linear vs switching voltage regulators for battery-powered embedded systems. Int J Electron Microcircuits 2026;6(1):45-50. DOI: 10.22271/27084493.2026.v6.i1a.84
