Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) announced the new LTC3704, a current-mode, positive-to-negative, dc/dc controller with a wide input-voltage range from 2.5V to 36V. Intended for up to 30W applications, the LTC3704 controller drives an external MOSFET to deliver more power than integrated inverting switching regulators and charge pumps. The LTC3704 is suitable for industrial and SLIC power supplies, scanners, portable electronic equipment, and base stations.
The LTC3704 features a user-controlled, pulse-skip mode for low-noise operation or a burst mode for high efficiency at light loads. Low-voltage operation, a low supply current of 250mA and a 10mA shutdown current make the LTC3704 well-suited for battery-operated systems. The LTC3704 is offered in a 10-lead MSOP package and is guaranteed for operation from -40 to +85 degrees C.
The LTC3704 maximizes efficiency by eliminating the need for a current sense resistor and using the power MOSFET's on-resistance. Users have the flexibility of optimizing the cost or size of the total solution by programming the oscillator frequency of the LTC3704 from 50kHz to 1MHz, allowing users to design with smaller or cheaper inductors and capacitors.
Pricing for the LTC starts at $1.85 each for 1,000 pieces.
