High-efficiency regulator drives two low voltages

A dual-output high-efficiency 4MHz synchronous buck regulator delivers up to 1.4A of continuous output current from one channel and up to 800mA from the second.

Linear Technology has announced the LTC3417, a dual-output high-efficiency 4MHz synchronous buck regulator that delivers up to 1.4A of continuous output current from one channel and up to 800mA from the second.

Using a constant frequency and current mode architecture, the LTC3417 operates from an input voltage range of 2.25 to 5.5V, making it ideal for single cell Li-ion, multicell alkaline or NiMH applications.

It can generate two independent output voltages as low as 0.6V, enabling it to power the latest generation of low voltage DSPs and microcontrollers.

Its switching frequency of up to 4MHz allows the use of tiny, low cost ceramic capacitors and inductors less than 2mm in height.

The combination of dual outputs, current mode architecture, tiny externals and a 5 x 3mm DFN (or TSSOP-20E) package make the LTC3417 a very compact solution for a variety of applications.

The LTC3417 uses internal switches with on-resistances of only 0.088 and 0.160ohm to deliver efficiencies as high as 95%.

It also uses low dropout 100% duty cycle operation to allow output voltages equal to the input, further extending battery run-time.

With burst mode operation enabled, no load quiescent current is only 125uA (both channels), and less than 1uA in shutdown ensuring optimal battery life.

If the application is noise sensitive, the user can disable burst mode, replacing it with a lower noise pulse-skipping mode.

A phase mode pin enables the second channel to operate in-phase or 180 degrees out-of-phase with respect to channel 1.

Out-of-phase operation produces lower RMS current at the input voltage, thus lower RMS derating on the input capacitor.

Other features include a power good output, internal soft-start and short-circuit protection.

The LTC3417EDHC is available from stock in a DFN-16 package, and the LTC3417EFE is available in a thermally enhanced TSSOP package.

The LTC3417EDHC starts at $3.35, for the LTC3417EFE $3.55 each, both in 1000-piece quantities.

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