LTC Announces LTC3409 Synchronous Buck Regulator

Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) announced its new LTC3409, a low-voltage, high-efficiency, 1.7 MHz/2.6 MHz synchronous buck regulator, which delivers up to 600 mA of continuous output current from input voltages as low as 1.6 V. The LTC3409 is suitable for low-voltage applications, extending battery life in both single-cell, lithium-ion, multi-cell alkaline or nickel-metal hydride applications, or two-cell AA alkaline applications.

Using a constant frequency and current-mode architecture, the LTC3409 operates from an input-voltage range of 1.6 V to 5.5 V. It can generate output voltages as low as 0.61 V, enabling it to power the latest generation of low voltage digital signal processors and microcontrollers. The user can set its switching frequency to either 1.7 MHz or 2.6 MHz, allowing the utilization of tiny, low cost ceramic capacitors and inductors less than 1.2 mm in height. The LTC3409 uses internal switches with an RDS(ON) of only 0.35 Ω to deliver efficiencies as high as 95%. No load quiescent current is only 60 µA and <1 µA in shutdown.

The LTC3409EDD is available from stock in a 3 mm x 3 mm, DFN-8 package. Pricing starts at $2.15 for the LTC3409 in 1,000-piece quantities.