What is the dropout voltage of a linear voltage regulator?
Minimum input voltage for rated power dissipation
Maximum output voltage drop when the input voltage is varied over its specified range
Minimum input-to-output voltage required to maintain regulation✓Bonne réponse
Maximum that the output voltage may decrease at rated load
Explication
Dropout voltage is the smallest input-to-output difference at which a linear regulator can still hold its output. Below that difference the pass element saturates and the output simply follows the input downward, so regulation is lost.