Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) announced the LTC3250-1.5, a switched capacitor, step-down, dc/dc converter that delivers up to 250mA from a ThinSOT package with efficiencies as high as 88 percent (81 percent with 3.6V input). The LTC3250-1.5 produces a 1.5V regulated output from an input range of 3.1V to 5.5V, making it suitable for driving the latest generation of low-voltage ICs from a single-cell, lithium-ion battery.
The fractional charge-pump architecture of the LTC3250-1.5 optimizes efficiency throughout the lithium-ion voltage range without using inductors. The converter requires only three small external ceramic capacitors (two 1µF and one 4.7µF), and features a constant-frequency architecture and a low-noise, regulated output. Integrated soft-start limits the inrush current at turn-on, while a low operating current of 35µA (<1µA in shutdown) optimizes light-load efficiency.
The LTC3250ES6-1.5 is available from stock in a low-profile (1mm), ThinSOT package. Pricing starts at $1.60 each for the LTC3250 in 1,000-piece quantities.
