LTC Offers LTC3406B-2 Synchronous Buck Regulator
Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) announced the LTC3406B-2, a high-efficiency, 2.25MHz, synchronous buck regulator that can deliver up to 600mA of continuous output current from a tiny ThinSOT™ package. Using a constant-frequency and current-mode architecture, the LTC3406B-2 operates from an input-voltage range of 2.5V to 5.5V, making it suitable for single-cell, lithium-ion, multi-cell, alkaline or nickel-metal hydride applications.
The new device can generate output voltages as low as 0.6V, enabling the device to power the latest generation of low-voltage DSPs. The 2.25MHz switching frequency keeps switching noise out of critical AM radio and xDSL frequency bands. The LTC3406B-2 also enables the use of low-cost capacitors and inductors less than 1mm in height. The combination of the tiny externals and the ThinSOT package make the LTC3406B-2 optimal for space-constrained applications that are sensitive to switching noise below 2MHz.
The LTC3406B-2 uses internal switches with an RDS(on) of only 0.40 Ohms to deliver efficiencies as high as 96%. It also utilizes low-dropout, 100% duty-cycle operation to allow output voltages equal to VIN, further extending battery run time. In addition to higher switching frequency, the LTC3406B-2 delivers quiescent current of only 350µA (<1µA in shutdown) to maintain high efficiency with light loads. The regulator is stable with ceramic capacitors, achieving low output-voltage ripple.
The adjustable-output LTC3406B-2 is available from stock in a five-lead, ThinSOT package. Pricing starts at $2.10 each for 1,000-piece quantities.
