Question About LDO and Reverse Current Protection

I first have a general question about LDO and standard linear regulators: Does it hurt them to have a reverse current?

Second, instead of putting a schottky on the output of the LDO, can I use one at the input for the same effect, or is the current path from the output to ground (rather than output backfeeding Vin)?

I have a little microcontroller system that normally runs from a 9V battery but occasionally has to drive a low impedance load for about 0.1 seconds. I use the internal resistance of the 9V battery as a current limiter to prevent damaging my low impedance circuit. However, I need my microcontroller (also powered by that same 9V battery) to remain on. Therefore, I have a schottky diode between the battery and Vin on an LDO regulator. I then have a large capacitance on Vin - large enough to keep Vin roughly 0.5 volt greater than Vout for up to 0.2 seconds (after which time, the low impedance load will be off and the voltage at the battery terminals will rise back up).

However, I would like to be able to tap into this using a USB cable. Right now, the LDO outputs 4.2V - high enough to run my little AVR at the desired frequency but low enough that my current draw is significantly less than if I ran at 5V. When I plug in the USB cable, the LDO is backfed with 5V - is this going to be a problem? Schematic of the power circuit attached.

(Basically I'm asking if I need to include another diode between Vout and the +5V port symbol in the schematic)

Thanks!

tms8c8 said:

When I plug in the USB cable, the LDO is backfed with 5V - is this going to be a problem?

Click to expand...

Possibly - yes.

tms8c8 said:

(Basically I'm asking if I need to include another diode between Vout and the +5V port symbol in the schematic)

Click to expand...

Vout and the +5V port symbol in the schematic to me look like the same node - if I understand your schematic correctly.

To protect the LDO, you should insert one more Schottky diode between Vout and Vin of the LDO (U5), cathode to Vin, of course.

The dastasheets for most adjustable ordinary regulators such as the LM317 show diodes to prevent damage caused when the input voltage is shorted to ground then the output capacitor discharges into the output.
If you add a diode in series with the output of a voltage regulator then the diode ruins the excellent voltage regulation.

erikl said:

Possibly - yes.



Vout and the +5V port symbol in the schematic to me look like the same node - if I understand your schematic correctly.

To protect the LDO, you should insert one more Schottky diode between Vout and Vin of the LDO (U5), cathode to Vin, of course.

Click to expand...

You are suggesting doing something like the attached? I was thinking about a circuit like the one pictured in this application note: https://www.ricoh.com/LSI/product_power/ap_note/vr06.html