Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced the LTC3832, a high-efficiency, step-down, dc/dc controller for converting input supplies ranging from 3V to 8V to an output voltage as low as 0.6V up to 15A. The LTC3832 provides a very low output voltage with ±1 percent accuracy to power the newest generation of logic ICs. Applications include network systems, industrial control equipment, blade servers, and general-purpose low-voltage distributed power supplies.
The LTC3832 integrates powerful MOSFET drivers that operate synchronously to provide operating efficiencies as high as 95% over a wide range of load currents. The operating frequency is adjustable from 100kHz to 500kHz. The LTC3832 offers a precision ±0.8 percent 0.6V reference voltage. The IC requires no sense resistor for current limiting. Current limit is detected by sensing the current through the drain-source resistance of the upper n-channel MOSFET. The LTC3832's output regulation of one percent is guaranteed over line, load and temperature variations. For controlled start-up or power supply sequencing, the LTC3832's soft-start is adjustable with an external capacitor. Nominal operating frequency is 300kHz, although it's synchronizable from 100kHz to 500kHz. Supply current consumption during shutdown is less than 10µA to conserve battery life in hand-held, battery-powered devices.
The LTC3832 is offered in two packages of eight-pin SO (LTC3832-1) and 16-pin SSOP (LTC3832). Pricing for the LTC3832-1 and LTC3832 in 1,000-piece quantities starts at $2.95 each and $3.10 each, respectively.
