New Industry Products

Linear Tech Adds Dual 2.25MHz Synchronous Step-Down DC-DC Converter With Programmable Input Current Limit

September 27, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

Linear Technology announced the LTC3619, a dual output, high efficiency, 2.25 MHz, synchronous buck regulator with programmable average input current limit. It can deliver up to 800mA of continuous output current from one channel and 400mA from the other with efficiencies as high as 96%. Using a constant frequency and current mode architecture, the LTC3619 operates from an input voltage range of 2.5 to 5.5V, making it ideal for single-cell Li-Ion and USB applications. It can generate two independent output voltages as low as 0.6V, enabling it to power the latest generation of low voltage DSPs and microcontrollers.

The LTC3619 uses a switching frequency of 2.25 MHz, which allows for the utilization of tiny, low cost ceramic capacitors and inductors less than 1mm in height. The combination of dual architecture, tiny externals and a 3 x 3mm DFN (or thermally enhanced MSOP-10) package make the LTC3619 a highly compact synchronous step-down solution for dual output voltage rails.

The LTC3619 offers a programmable average input current limit that can be programmed between 200mA and 1.2A, with ±5% accuracy via a single resistor. The 400mA channel remains in regulation even when the input current limit is reached. This makes the LTC3619 well suited for USB applications, supercapacitor charging and point-of-load power supplies. Combined with a supercapacitor, the LTC3619 enables its 800mA output to deliver high peak load current without collapsing the input supply or the 400mA output for applications such as GSM amplifiers. It also utilizes low dropout 100% duty cycle operation to allow output voltages equal to VIN, further extending battery runtime. The LTC3619 uses Burst Mode® operation to reduce no load quiescent current to only 50µA (both channels) and <1µA in shutdown, providing optimal battery life. The LTC3619B uses a pulse skipping mode to minimize switching interference in applications that require the lowest possible noise. Other features include independent soft-start and power good indicator for each channel, short-circuit protection and internal compensation. The LTC3619 is an suitable solution for handheld applications requiring input current limiting, dual outputs of up to 400 and 800mA, high efficiency and a very small solution footprint.

The LTC3619EDD and LTC3619BEDD are both available from stock in a 3mm x 3mm DFN-10. Similarly, the LTC3619EMSE and LTC3619BEMSE are both available from stock in a thermally enhanced MSOP-10 package. Pricing starts at $2.25 each for 1,000-piece quantities. Industrial grade versions, namely the LTC3619IDD, LTC3619BIDD (in DFN-10 packages) LTC3619IMSE, and LTC3619BIMSE (in MSOP-10E packages) are tested and guaranteed to operate over a -40 to 125°C operating junction temperature range and are priced at $2.65 each in 1,000-piece quantities.