Linear voltage regulation refers to the use of a pass element (usually a bipolar or field effect transistor) connected in series with a load, together with appropriate control circuits driving the pass element so as to produce a nominally constant voltage across the load that is insensitive to changes in supply voltage to the circuit or the amount of load current drawn. Products within this family provide the necessary control function for use with an external pass element, distinguishing them from integrated linear regulators which combine a pass element with control circuits in a single device package.