New Industry Products

Linear Technology Debuts New uModule Power Supply Line

October 10, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) debuted a new line of high-density power modules, the uModule™ (micro-module), which provides designers with simple, compact, and reliable power supplies for a broad range of applications, including industrial, medical, instrumentation, avionics, computers, communications, and networking. The new power micro-modules are complete point-of-load dc-dc converters, delivered in compact, low-profile, molded packages that can be handled and conveniently surface-mounted like a standard integrated circuit. They can be placed on either side of the printed circuit board to conserve valuable board space.

The high-density LTM®4600 power supply, the first device in the new uModule™ family, is a synchronous switch-mode dc-dc step-down regulator with a built-in inductor, supporting power components and compensation circuitry. The LTM4600 is suitable for network routers, blade servers, cellular base stations, data storage systems, test instrumentation, RAID systems, and medical diagnostic equipment. The LTM4600 comes in a small (15 mm x 15 mm footprint), low-profile (2.8 mm), land grid array, surface-mount package. It accomodates a wide input-voltage range of 4.5 V to 28 V and delivers up to 10 A continuous output current (14 A peak) at up to 92 percent effeciency. It simplifies power supply design and construction, requiring only input and output bulk capacitors and a single resistor to set the output voltage within a range of 0.6 V to 5 V.

The LTM4600 uModule is a complete stand-alone surface-mount power supply that can be handled and assembled like a standard integrated circuit. Its low-profile design permits the LTM4600 to be soldered onto the back side of a circuit board, freeing up valuable board space. The LTM4600 are self-protected against over-voltage and short-circuit conditions. The devices’ fast transient response minimizes required bulk output capacitance. Two LTM4600s can be operated in parallel, increasing load current capability to 20 A. The LTM4600 is offered in both a standard and high-input voltage version; the LTM4600EV operates from 4.5 V to 20 V, and the LTM4600HVEV has an operating voltage range from 4.5 V to 28 V.

Linear Technology is already sampling customers with the new power micro-modules, and will accept volume orders this quarter. Pricing for the LTM4600EV starts at $16.50 each, and the LTM4600HVEV starts at $19.50 each, both in 1,000-piece quantities. The LTM4600IV and LTM4600HVIV, which are tested and guaranteed to operate over the -40 ºC to +85 ºC temperature range, are also available.