For my project I will have a 6-15VDC power source and need to regulate that to provide 3.3V (@500ma) to a Nano 33 BLE and 5V (@1A) to an LED driver circuit. What are the pros and cons of using two regulators (like the LM7805 for 5V and another suitable regulator for 3.3V), vs. a "Buck Boost" power module? Would the Buck approach generate less heat? Does the frequency of the Buck Boost circuit have any impact on the operation of the Nano 33? Thanks
Study/know what you have.
The Nano 33 BLE (3.3volt logic) has a built-in 3.3volt buck converter (MPM3610), unlike the classic Nano (5volt logic).
They are completely different beasts.
Your LED circuit (if compatible with 3.3votl logic) must have it's own 5volt buck converter for power.
15volt to 5volt @1A = 10watt, and generally speaking too much for linear regulation.
Leo..
Linear regulators are so 1990. I never use them if I can help it. Buck converters are the way to go. (I've never used a boost converter).
eric2048:
5V (@1A) to an LED driver circuit.
This needs more details.
SteveMann:
Linear regulators are so 1990. I never use them if I can help it.
For low power draw and small voltage drops linear regulators are the way to go.
Main issues with buck converters: they are are bulky (easily 20x30 mm vs a SOT23 + 2 0805 caps), expensive (by 10-20 times), and have very high quiescent current (easily 1-2 mA vs. a <5 µA for a decent linear regulator). As added bonus, they tend to add lots of high frequency noise on the output.