Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced its LTC4441, a 6 A MOSFET gate driver designed to increase the output power and efficiency of a dc-dc controller by allowing it to drive higher power N-channel MOSFETs or multiple MOSFETs in parallel. The LTC4441 provides a simple solution for increasing the output power capability of power supplies in telecom and industrial systems.
The LTC4441 features an open-drain output with adjustable leading-edge blanking to prevent ringing when sensing the source current of the power MOSFETs. The LTC4441 has a wide input supply range from 5 V to 25 V and includes a linear regulator for gate drive that is adjustable from 5 V to 8 V with an external resistor. Propagation delay for driving a 4.7 nF capacitance with 7.5 V drive voltage is only 30 ns.
The LTC4441 is housed in a thermally enhanced, 10-lead MSOP that can easily sink and source up to 6 A peak output current. An eight-lead SO package, the LTC4441-1, is also available without the blanking function. The LTC4441 and LTC4441-1 are rated for operation from -40 °C to +85 °C. Pricing for 1,000-piece quantities starts at $1.80.
