Linear Technology Debuts LTC3400 DC/DC Converter
Linear Technology Corp. (Milpitas, CA) announced the new LTC3400, a synchronous step-up dc/dc converter that delivers high efficiency in a six-lead ThinSOT package. With a 600mA NMOS switch and an input-voltage range that extends from 0.85V to 6V, the device is capable of supplying 3.3V at 150mA from a single AA cell input.
The 1.2MHz fixed switching frequency reduces device footprint, allowing the use of tiny, low-profile inductors and ceramic capacitors. Applications include MP3 players, pagers, cordless phones, GPS receivers and hand-held instruments.
The dc/dc converter incorporates an internal n-channel MOSFET switch and a PMOS synchronous rectifier to achieve high efficiency. The internally compensated current-mode PWM design reduces external parts count. Anti-ringing control circuitry reduces EMI issues by damping the inductor in discontinuous mode. When operating in burst mode, the device draws only 19µA, extending battery life.