Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced its LTC3736 low-input-voltage, synchronous two-phase, dc-dc step-down controller capable of regulating and tracking two supplies. The LTC3736 drives two external MOSFETs (per channel) synchronously. Housed in QFN and SSOP packages, the controller saves board space and cost by reducing the number of input capacitors and eliminating the need for two sense resistors. Applications include one-cell or two-cell lithium-ion-powered devices, distributed power supplies, and systems with FPGA or DSP requiring power for core and I/O.
The LTC3736 allows two output voltages to track each other ensuring proper startup of systems with multiple supply rails. The LTC3736 offers input from 2.7 V to 9.8 V, output voltages from 0.6 V at up to 95-percent efficiency, 100-percent duty cycle capability, a switching frequency programmable up to 750 kHz, ac and dc load and line regulation, synchronization from 300 kHz to 750 kHz, and operation from -40 °C to +85 °C.
The LTC3736 is housed in a 24-lead SSOP and in a 4 mm x 4 mm QFN package. Pricing in 1,000-piece quantities starts at $3.80 each.
