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When designing a powered device, the question sometimes arises of whether a Linear Voltage Regulator or a Switching Regulator is more suitable for the design. Understanding the differences between the two can help you make the right choice for your application.
Low to Medium (when small difference between Vin and Vout)
High
Complexibility
Easy to design
Complex in design
Ripple & Noise
No ripple, low noise, better noise rejection
Medium to high, depends on switching frequency
As you can see, the primary advantage of switching regulators is their energy efficiency, while the primary advantage of linear regulators is their simple, low-noise operation.
It technically would be a divider. This is probably the simplest way to express what a regulator is. I know from practice regulators are a little more…complex.
