I want to learn to program and use microcontrollers, and therefore I'm setting up a small power supply. The voltage regulator I've selected says I need a 1uF capacitor at the input pin.
So my question is, is this the exact value I need or is it the minimum? Can I use a 2uF or even a 10uF capacitor instead?
I'm planning on using a 9V battery as the power source.
EDIT:
The voltage regulator is the LP2951.
See page 15 and down.
However, I've been looking around a little more, and I wondered if I can use this regulator instead? http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&itemSeq=156827308&uq=635456207616008876
Does it matter that its 800 mA instead of 100 mA on the Texas Instruments Regulator?
Best Answer
Yes, you can use a bigger capacitor on the regulator input (and typically anywhere that they're used to smooth out supply voltage spikes or ripples). And you can use regulators rated for higher currents; that's the maximum it's capable of but it won't push in more current than what the circuit consumes.