LTC News

Wideband I/Q Demodulator with IIP2 Optimization & DC Offset Cancellation Improves Receiver Performance

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:31:21 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 30, 2012 – Linear Technology announces the LTC5585, an ultrawide bandwidth direct conversion I/Q demodulator with outstanding linearity performance (IIP3 = 25.7dBm and IIP2 = 60dBm at 1.95GHz). The device is capable of baseband output demodulation bandwidth of over 530MHz, which can support new generation wideband LTE multimode receivers’ and digital pre-distortion (DPD) receivers’ bandwidth requirements. The I/Q demodulator operates over a wide frequency range from 700MHz to 3GHz, covering virtually all cellular base station frequency bands. Unique to this device are two built-in calibration features. One is advanced circuitry that enables the system designer to optimize the receiver’s IIP2 performance, increasing from a nominal 60dBm to an unprecedented 80dBm or higher. The other is on-chip circuitry to null out the DC offset voltages at the I and Q outputs. Both serve to enhance receiver performance. Moreover, the LTC5585 delivers excellent P1dB of 16dBm.

Dual 3A, 2.5MHz, 42V Boost/Inverting DC/DC Converter with Fault Protection

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:16:14 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 25, 2012 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT8582, a dual independent channel, step-up DC/DC converter with integrated fault protection features for output shorts, input/output overvoltages, and overtemperature conditions. Each channel of the LT8582 uses two integrated 42V switches: a 1.7A master switch and a 1.3A slave switch that can be tied together for a total current limit of 3A. The LT8582 operates from an input voltage range of 2.5V to 22V with transient protection to 40V, making it suitable for applications with input sources ranging from a single-cell Li-Ion to automotive inputs. The LT8582 is ideal for many local power supply designs as each channel can be independently configured as either a boost, SEPIC, inverting or flyback converter. The combination of a 4mm x 7mm DFN package and tiny externals ensures a very compact footprint while minimizing solution cost.

Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller Delivers Up to 95% Efficiency with 2MHz Operating Frequency

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:10:32 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 17, 2012 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3839, a high frequency controlled on-time single output dual phase synchronous step-down DC/DC controller that can achieve up to 95% efficiency with a 25A output when operating at 2MHz. The operating frequency is selectable from 200kHz to 2MHz or can be synchronized to an external clock. A low 30ns minimum on-time allows for a high step-down ratio at very high operating frequencies. The controlled on-time, valley current-mode architecture and Detect Transient Release feature provide a very fast transient response by increasing operating frequency during a transient event, enabling the output voltage to recover in only a few clock cycles. Up to 12 phases can be paralleled and clocked out of phase for high current applications (up to 250A).

High Voltage Surge Stopper with Current Limit Shields Sensitive Electronics from Transients Beyond 100V

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:30:22 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 16, 2012 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LT4363, an overvoltage protection controller that provides overvoltage and overcurrent protection to high-availability electronic systems. Supply voltages surge whenever currents flowing through long inductive power buses change abruptly. Also, automotive batteries experience a condition known as load-dump, where the voltage can stay elevated for many milliseconds. Traditional protection circuitry relies on bulky inductors, capacitors, fuses, and transient voltage suppressors. Instead, the LT4363 creates a robust, adaptable, and space-efficient design with simple control of an N-channel MOSFET. Only the controller and the MOSFET suffer the high voltage surge; downstream components can afford lower voltage ratings, thereby saving costs.

42V Input with 55V Transient Protection, 2MHz Dual Step-Down Regulator with Power-On Reset & Watchdog Timer with 150°C Maximum Junction Temperature

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:37:20 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 12, 2012 – Linear Technology announces the H-grade version of the LT3641, a dual channel, current mode step-down switching regulator with power-on reset and a watchdog timer. Its 4V to 42V input voltage range, with 55V transient capability, makes it ideal for load dump and cold crank conditions commonly found in automotive applications, which require constant output regulation even with input transients as high as 55V. The LT3641 uses a unique dual channel design with a high input voltage (4VIN to 42VIN, 55VIN transient capability) nonsynchronous channel that delivers 1.3A of output current, combined with a lower input voltage (2.5VIN to 5.5VIN) synchronous channel that delivers up to 1.1A of continuous output current. While the device allows separate inputs for each channel, most applications will use the output of the high voltage channel to power the lower voltage channel, offering dual outputs while optimizing efficiency and switching frequency. For example, using a nominal 12V input and a 2MHz switching frequency, the LT3641 can deliver a 3.3V output at 600mA with 85% efficiency via its high voltage channel and a 1.8V output at 800mA with 90% secondary conversion efficiency via its lower voltage channel.

36VIN with 60V Transient Protection, Dual Tracking 3.5A(IOUT), 2.25MHz Step-Down DC/DC Converter with 150°C Maximum Junction Temperature

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:15:19 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 11, 2012 – Linear Technology announces the H-grade version of the LT3692A, a monolithic, dual output step-down switching regulator that delivers up to 3.5A of continuous output current from each channel. It operates from a VIN range of 3V to 36V with transient protection to 60V, making it ideal for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. Independent input, shutdown, feedback, soft-start, current limit and comparator pins for each channel simplify complex power supply tracking/sequencing requirements. The LT3692A’s switching frequency is user-programmable from 250kHz to 2.25MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands.

Dual 18-Bit Current Output SPI DAC Achieves ±1LSB INL & DNL

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:38:31 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 10, 2012 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2758, the industry's first high performance dual, 18-bit, current output digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The LTC2758 offers accurate 18-bit DC specifications, including ±1LSB (max) INL and DNL over temperature. In addition to excellent DC specifications, the LTC2758 offers fast settling of 2.1µs and low 0.4nV•s (3V), 2nV•s (5V) glitch impulse, making it possible to produce higher frequency, lower noise output waveforms. This unique combination of DC and AC accuracy in a dual DAC enables design of higher performance medical devices, instrumentation, automated test equipment, process control and industrial automation.

Floating Surge Stopper Provides Unlimited Overvoltage Protection

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:33:29 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – January 9, 2012 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4366, an overvoltage protection controller for electronic systems. Operating from 9V to greater than 500V, the LTC4366 floating surge stopper utilizes an adjustable floating topology to enable very high voltage operation independent of the voltage rating of the LTC4366’s internal circuitry. Two internal shunt regulators coupled with the external voltage-dropping resistors generate the LTC4366’s internal supply rails. The maximum operating voltage is set by the breakdown of the external resistors and MOSFETS. The LTC4366 is the first product of its kind to protect, for example, a 12V circuit from a 500V transient without the need for additional protection components.

Linear Technology Acquisition of Dust Networks Extends Wireless Sensor Networking Capabilities

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:04:56 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 20, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation (NASDAQ: LLTC), a leader in high performance analog integrated circuits, today announced the acquisition of Dust Networks, Inc., a leading provider of low power wireless sensor network (WSN) technology. The acquisition of Dust Networks, based in Hayward, CA, will enable Linear to offer a complete high performance wireless sensor networking solution. Dust Networks’ low power radio and software technology complements Linear’s strengths in industrial instrumentation, power management and energy harvesting technology.

±60V Fault Protected Full-/Half-Duplex 3V to 5.5V RS485 Transceivers Achieve 20Mbps

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:41:47 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 21, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2862-2865, a family of exceptionally rugged, high voltage tolerant RS485/RS422 transceivers for elimination of field failures without the need of costly external protection devices. In practical RS485 systems, installation cross-wiring faults, ground voltage faults or lightning induced surge voltages can cause overvoltage conditions that exceed absolute maximum ratings of typical transceivers. The LTC2862-2865 feature ±60V overvoltage fault protection on the data transmission lines, protecting bus pins during operation and power shutdown. Whether a circuit is transmitting, receiving, in standby or powered off, the LTC2862-2865 tolerate any voltage within ±60V without damage, increasing the robustness of any typical RS485 network. The low power family supports fast 20Mbps and low-EMI slew-rate-limited 250kbps data rates, as well as half- and full-duplex versions.

24V, 15A Monolithic Synchronous Step-Down Regulator with Differential Output Sensing & Clock Synchronization

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:42:12 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 20, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3613, a high frequency controlled on-time synchronous step-down DC/DC converter with differential output voltage sensing and clock synchronization. The controlled on-time, valley current mode architecture enables a very fast transient response by increasing its operating frequency during a transient event, allowing the LTC3613 to recover from a large load step in only a few clock cycles. Its 4.5V to 24V input range supports a wide variety of applications, including most intermediate bus voltages. Integrated N-channel MOSFETs can deliver continuous load currents as high as 15A at output voltages ranging from 0.6V to 5.5V, making it ideal for point-of-load applications.

Ultralow Noise & Spurious 350MHz to 6GHz Integer-N PLLSynthesizer Suppresses System Noise

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 10:56:43 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 19, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC6945, a high performance 6GHz integer-N frequency synthesizer with outstanding -226dBc/Hz normalized closed-loop in-band phase noise, excellent -274dBc/Hz normalized in-band 1/f noise, a wideband phase noise floor of -157dBc/Hz and best-in-class -102dBc spurious output. In a typical 900MHz application, these performance attributes enable a closed-loop phase noise of -100dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset. The LTC6945 is designed to work in conjunction with an external low noise VCO up to 6GHz. In addition, the device has an on-chip output divider that is programmable from 1 through 6 to extend the tuning frequency coverage to as low as 350MHz.

High Efficiency Dual Synchronous Buck Controller Provides Complete DDR Power Solution & Complies with DDR1/DDR2/DDR3 Standards

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:52:38 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 15, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3876, a high-efficiency dual output synchronous step-down DC/DC controller that generates the VDDQ supply voltage, the VTT bus termination voltage and the VTTR reference voltage for DDR1/DDR2/DDR3 and future standard memory applications. The output of the first channel produces VDDQ and can be programmed from 2.5V down to 1V at up to 25A. The output of the second channel produces VTT and offers superior load regulation accuracy and efficiency. An internal LDO provides the precision ±1.2% VTTR reference. Both VTT and VTTR are programmed by an internal resistor divider equal to one-half the VDDQ supply and operate from 1.25V to 0.5V to support all DDR standards. The VTT supply offers symmetrical output current capability, with ±25A (sourcing/sinking) at VTT and ±50mA at VTTR.

Tiny 1.5W Isolated Low Noise DC/DC µModule Converters Include Transformer

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 11:15:51 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 12, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTM8047 and LTM8048 1.5W output DC/DC µModule® converters with 725VDC galvanic isolation in a 9mm x 11.25mm x 4.92mm BGA (ball grid array) package. All components, including the transformer, control circuitry and power switches are housed in a small enclosed BGA package for superior interconnect reliability in high vibration applications. These compact and reliable products break ground loops in applications such as industrial, avionics and instrumentation equipment. Both devices operate from an input voltage of 3.1V to 32V, delivering a regulated output voltage on the secondary side, adjustable from 2.5V to 12V (LTM8047) and 1.2V to 12V (LTM8048). The LTM8048 includes a low noise linear post regulator that reduces the output ripple noise to 20µVrms at 300mA.

Isolated Power Factor Corrected Offline Regulator Needs No Opto

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:35:24 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – December 5, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3798, an isolated flyback controller with single stage active power factor correction (PFC). A power factor of greater than 0.97 is accomplished by actively modulating the input current, eliminating the need for an extra switching power stage and associated components. In addition, no opto-isolator or signal transformer is required for feedback since the output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal.

15V, 300mA Synchronous Buck Converters with Only 1.8µA Quiescent Current

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:42:26 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – November 28, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC3103 and the LTC3104, 15V, fixed frequency synchronous buck converters capable of delivering 300mA of continuous current to output voltages from 0.6V to 13.8V. The LTC3103 consumes just 1.8µA of quiescent current, while the LTC3104 (which offers a 10mA programmable LDO output) requires only 2.6µA of quiescent current. These devices are ideal for a wide range of battery-powered applications including industrial control power, remote sensor networks, low power wireless systems and energy harvesting applications. Both devices operate from an input voltage range of 2.5V to 15V facilitating operation from a wide range of input sources, including single- or multi-cell batteries, supercapacitors and system rails.

40VIN/OUT, 2A Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Converter Offers 2.7V to 40V Input & Output Range

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:29:36 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – November 21, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC3115-1, a synchronous buck-boost converter that delivers up to 2A of continuous output current from a wide range of power sources from single-cell Li-Ion to 24V/28V industrial rails to 40V automotive inputs. The LTC3115-1’s 2.7V to 40V input and output range provides a regulated output with inputs above, below or equal to the regulated output. The low noise buck-boost topology incorporated in the LTC3115-1 provides a continuous, jitter-free transition between buck and boost modes, making it ideal for RF and other noise-sensitive applications that must maintain a low-noise constant output voltage with a variable input power source. In many applications, battery run time is significantly extended over step-down only solutions. The LTC3115-1’s switching frequency is user programmable between 100kHz and 2MHz, and can be synchronized to an external clock. Proprietary third generation buck-boost PWM circuitry ensures low noise and high efficiency while minimizing the size of external components. The combination of tiny externals and a 4mm x 5mm DFN or TSSOP-20E package provides a compact solution footprint.

Dual Output Synchronous Step-Down Controller Produces 1.5VOUT From Up To 24VIN at 2MHz

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:44:04 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – November 14, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3838, a high frequency controlled on-time dual output synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with differential output voltage sensing and clock synchronization. The controlled on-time, valley current-mode architecture enables a very fast transient response by increasing its operating frequency during a transient event, enabling the LTC3838 to recover from a large load step in only a few clock cycles. The operating frequency is selectable from 200kHz to 2MHz or can be synchronized to an external clock. A low 30ns minimum on-time allows for a high step-down ratio power supply at very high operating frequencies.

Dual 4A PowerPath Ideal Diodes Feature Ultralow 15mV Forward Voltage

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:17:44 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – November 10, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4415, a monolithic two-channel 4A PowerPath™ ideal diode device designed to reduce heat, voltage drop and board space while preserving battery run time in power switchover circuits. The LTC4415 is ideal for applications requiring an ideal Diode-ORing function for load sharing or automatic switchover between two input power sources. The LTC4415’s ultralow 15mV forward voltage is significantly lower than a Schottky diode, thereby extending battery run time and operating voltage range while ensuring no oscillations during supply switchover. Low 50mOhm on-resistance reduces power loss and heat.

18-Bit, 1.6Msps, Pseudo-Differential Serial SAR ADC Achieves 96.5dB SNR Performance & Low 18mW Power

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 10:40:12 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – November 7, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2369-18, a serial 18-bit, 1.6Msps pseudo-differential SAR analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which achieves impressive 96.5dB SNR and -120dB THD while supporting a 0V to 5V unipolar input range. The pseudo-differential input simplifies the ADC driver requirement, enabling single-ended drive while benefiting from the reduction of unwanted signals common to both inputs. This reduces complexity and lowers the power requirements in the signal chain. Operating from a 2.5V supply, the LTC2369-18 consumes only 18mW, with a low power shutdown mode that consumes just 2.25µW. When used in combination with the recommended single-ended ADC driver LT6202, the combined power dissipation is a mere 53mW, a 40% reduction from a fully differential drive circuit. The LTC2369-18 is the industry’s highest performing 18-bit pseudo-differential SAR ADC, featuring a maximum INL of ±2.5LSB with no missing codes and guaranteed specifications over the -40°C to 125°C temperature range.

14-Bit 310Msps Dual ADC Family Enables Linearization of 60MHz Transmit Bandwidth Using Digital Predistortion

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:22:04 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 26, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces a family of dual (LTC2158-14) and single (LTC2153-14) high IF sampling 14-bit, 310Msps analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) designed specifically for wide bandwidth digital predistortion (DPD) linearization applications. Digital predistortion is a closed-loop feedback system that samples the distortion bandwidth at the output of the base station transmitter and adjusts the input signal to cancel the power amplifier’s intermodulation distortion products. This enables the transmitter to operate at its highest efficiency, 1dB compression point, where the power amplifier (PA) response is nonlinear.

42V, 750mA(IOUT), 2.2MHz Step-Down DC/DC Converter Needs Only 2.5µA Quiescent Current

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:19:32 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 25, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3973, a 750mA, 42V step-down switching regulator with integrated boost and catch diodes. Its Burst Mode® operation keeps quiescent current under 2.5µA in no load standby conditions. The LT3973’s 4.2V to 42V input voltage range makes it ideal for automotive and industrial applications. Its internal 1.2A switch can deliver up to 750mA of continuous output current to voltages as low as 1.21V. The device’s Burst Mode operation offers ultralow quiescent current, making it well suited for applications such as automotive or industrial systems, which demand always-on operation and optimum battery life.

Hot Swap™ I²C Bus Buffers Provide High Noise Margins, Level Shifting & Stuck Bus Recovery

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:27:59 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 24, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4313 and LTC4315 high noise margin buffers that provide capacitance buffering and bus extension capabilities to I²C/SMBus/PMBus systems. As the number of devices on an I²C bus expands, additive capacitances can critically lengthen rise times. The LTC4313 and LTC4315 alleviate this problem by segmenting the bus and offer the additional advantage of high logic low noise margin, thanks to their guaranteed minimum VIL of 0.3*VCC. This allows the LTC4313 and LTC4315 to operate with noncompliant I²C devices that drive a high logic low output voltage (VOL). This also permits a number of LTC4313s or LTC4315s to be connected in series, and improves the reliability of I²C communications in large noisy systems.

36V, 4A Synchronous Step-Down Regulator Now Offered in High Temperature “H” Grade & High Reliability “MP” Grade

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:11:59 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 12, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the high temperature (H-grade) and High Reliability (MP-grade) versions of the LT3690. This 36V input capable, synchronous step-down switching regulator can deliver up to 4A of continuous output current at efficiencies as high as 93%. The LT3690 operates within a VIN range of 3.9V to 36V, and offers transient protection to 60V, making it well suited for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. The LT3690's Burst Mode® operation requires only 70µA of quiescent current, ideal for applications such as automotive or telecom systems, which demand always-on operation and optimum battery life. Switching frequency is user-programmable from 170kHz to 1.5MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. The combination of its 4mm x 6mm QFN-26 package and high switching frequency keeps external inductors and capacitors small, providing a compact, thermally efficient footprint.

36VIN, ±5A Source/Sink Step-Down µModule Regulator Features Adjustable Output Current Limit

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:24:47 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 11, 2011 – Linear Technology introduces the LTM8052, a 36V input constant frequency step-down µModule® regulator with an adjustable output current limit up to 5A. The adjustable current limit helps system designers set the maximum power delivered to a load, minimizing the output rating of the upstream AC/DC or DC/DC power supply. Additionally, the LTM8052 is capable of sourcing or sinking current while regulating an adjustable output voltage. For simple noise filtering, the LTM8052 operates at a constant frequency throughout the entire output current range. The µModule regulator converts an input voltage between 6V and 36V to an adjustable output voltage between 1.2V to 24V. In a 12V input to 2.5V output application, the LTM8052 achieves a peak operating efficiency of 88% at 2A. Applications include industrial, medical imaging and communications point of load, charge balancing and Peltier thermoelectric module drivers.

DC/DC Controller Makes Positive or Negative Regulated Voltages

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 15:09:28 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – October 3, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3759, a wide input range DC/DC controller for boost, SEPIC and inverting power supply applications, capable of generating either positive or negative regulated output voltages. The LT3759 has two voltage feedback error amplifiers and reference voltages. One set is for positive output voltages, the other is for negative output voltages, both off a single feedback pin, making the LT3759 a highly versatile DC/DC controller for many types of power supply designs.

Ultralow Noise & Spurs 373MHz to 5.79GHz Integer-N Synthesizers with Integrated VCO Improve System Performance

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:51:30 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 28, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC6946, the first device in a family of high performance integer-N frequency synthesizers with integrated VCO, delivering -226dBc/Hz normalized closed-loop in-band phase noise, superior -274dBc/Hz normalized in-band 1/f noise, and best-in-class -103dBc spurious output. In a typical 900MHz application, these performance attributes help to achieve a closed-loop phase noise of -100dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset. The device is available in three frequency options: the LTC6946-1 tunes from 2.240GHz to 3.740GHz; the LTC6946-2 from 3.080GHz to 4.910GHz; and the LTC6946-3 covers 3.840GHz to 5.790GHz. In addition, each part has an on-chip output divider that is programmable from 1 through 6 to extend frequency coverage to as low as 373MHz.

Linear Technology Commemorates 30 Years of Analog Innovation

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:03:28 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 26, 2011 – Founded 30 years ago, Linear Technology Corporation (NASDAQ: LLTC) today commemorated three decades of innovation in analog integrated circuits. Founded in September 1981, at the dawn of the digital revolution, some questioned the wisdom of founding a company focused purely on analog technology. Over these 30 years, the worldwide analog market has grown from $2 billion to over $40 billion today, and Linear has prospered with that growth.

Linear Technology Teams with AEi Systems to Offer WCCA and SPICE Modeling

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:46:35 -0500

Los Angeles, CA – September 21, 2011 – Linear Technology (NASDAQ: LLTC), a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of high-performance analog integrated circuits, has signed and implemented a multiyear cooperation agreement and program with AEi Systems, the world leader in worst case circuit analysis (WCCA) and SPICE modeling.

16-Channel 50mA Buck LED Driver with Dot Correction & Gray Scale Dimming

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 11:22:34 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 19, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LT3745, a 16-channel LED driver integrated with a 55V step-down controller. The LED driver powers up to 75mA of LED current for each channel, which can drive up to 36V of LEDs in series, making it ideal for applications such as large LED billboards. Each channel has individual 6-bit dot correction current adjustment and 12-bit gray scale PWM dimming. Combined with a 0.5µs minimum LED on-time, the LT3745 offers very wide dynamic contrast ratios. Both dot correction and gray scale dimming are accessible via a serial interface in TTL/CMOS logic. The LT3745’s 6V to 55V input voltage range is well suited for a wide range of input sources found in commercial and industrial designs, typically between 12V and 48V. The combination of minimal externals and a 6mm x 6mm QFN package provide a highly compact solution footprint for multichannel LED applications.

No-Opto 100V Isolated Monolithic Flyback Regulator Operates over a -55°C to 150°C Junction Temperature Range

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:42:13 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 15, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the high reliability (MP-grade) version of the LT3512, a high voltage isolated monolithic flyback regulator that operates over a -55°C to 150°C junction temperature range. This device simplifies the design of an isolated DC/DC converter. The LT3512 requires no optocoupler, third winding or signal transformer for feedback, as the device’s output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal. The LT3512 operates over a 4.5V to 100V input voltage range, has a 420mA, 150V power switch and delivers up to 4.5 watts of output power, making it well suited for a wide variety of telecom, datacom, automotive, industrial and military applications.

Op Amp Drives SAR ADCs to True Zero on a Single 5V Supply

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:47:52 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 8, 2011 – Linear Technology introduces the LTC6360, a very low noise, high speed amplifier that can drive to 0V while maintaining high linearity on a single +5V supply. The LTC6360’s integrated ultralow noise charge pump provides an internal negative rail, eliminating the need for a negative supply. Compared to typical rail-to-rail output single-supply amplifiers that can only swing to within a few hundred millivolts of ground, the LTC6360 provides improved linearity and dynamic range in applications that benefit from a true zero output swing.

Octal Voltage, Current & Temperature Monitor Provides Accurate Internal & Remote Measurements

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:52:41 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – September 1, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2991, an 8-channel I²C temperature, voltage and current monitor for 3V and 5V systems. The LTC2991 is a highly integrated monitoring solution that incorporates a 14-bit ADC, 10ppm/°C voltage reference and I²C digital interface to provide submillivolt voltage resolution and 1% current measurement, as well as ±0.7°C remote accuracy and ±1°C internal accuracy, when making temperature measurements. Eight single-ended voltage inputs can be configured to measure any combination of internal temperature, remote temperature, remote voltage and internal VCC for single or repeated measurements. The LTC2991 provides a highly configurable, yet simple solution for simultaneously monitoring combinations of temperature, voltage and current without compromising accuracy on any parameter.

Eagerly Anticipated “Bible” of Analog Electronics by Industry Leaders Published by Newnes

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:49:02 -0500

Waltham, MA – August 24th, 2011 – Newnes, an imprint of Elsevier Science & Technology Books, has published an eagerly awaited “bible” of analog electronic engineering and design by two industry leaders.

42V Input with 55V Transient Protection, 2MHz Dual Channel Step-Down Regulator with Power-On Reset & Watchdog Timer

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:32:03 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 16, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3641, a dual channel, current mode step-down switching regulator with a power-on reset and watchdog timer. Its 4V to 42V input voltage range with 55V transient capability makes it ideal for load dump and cold crank conditions commonly found in automotive applications which require constant output regulation even with input transients as high as 55V. The LT3641 uses a unique dual channel design with a high input voltage (4VIN to 42VIN, 55VIN transient capability) nonsynchronous channel, which delivers 1.3A of output current combined with a lower input voltage (2.5VIN to 5.5VIN) synchronous channel, delivering up to 1.1A of continuous output current. Although the part allows separate inputs for each channel, most applications will use the output of the high voltage channel to power the lower voltage channel, offering dual outputs while optimizing efficiency and switching frequency. For example, using a nominal 12V input and a 2MHz switching frequency, the LT3641 can deliver a 3.3V output at 600mA with 85% efficiency via its high voltage channel and a 1.8V output at 800mA with 90% secondary conversion efficiency via its lower voltage channel.

Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller Using Nonlinear Control & Differential Output Sensing for Tight Output Voltage Regulation

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:04:13 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 10, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3867, a fixed frequency synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with nonlinear control, differential output voltage sensing and clock synchronization. Nonlinear control minimizes the output voltage excursion during load transient events by increasing the operating frequency, allowing the LTC3867 to recover from a large load step in only a few cycles. This feature reduces the maximum deviation from nominal by up to 50% compared to traditional controllers. The LTC3867’s 4V to 38V input range encompasses a wide variety of applications including most intermediate bus voltages. Strong onboard N-channel MOSFET gate drivers allow the use of high power external MOSFETs for high load current, up to 25A. The output voltage range is 0.6V to 14V, making the LTC3867 ideal for telecom, datacom, automotive and industrial applications.

Isolated Forward Converter Chipset Simplifies Design While Enhancing System Reliability

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:38:55 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 9, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3765 and LTC3766 synchronous forward converter chipset with active clamp reset and Direct Flux Limit™ that prevents power transformer saturation under all conditions. The LTC3765 is a primary-side intelligent controller that works in concert with the LTC3766 to implement a robust and simple self-starting isolated power supply. After start-up, the LTC3765 receives timing signals and bias power from the secondary-side LTC3766 controller through a tiny pulse transformer. Secondary-side control puts the brains near the load, ensuring reliable control of the output voltage and current while providing the fastest transient response and eliminating the need for an optocoupler.

High Efficiency Dual ±3A Synchronous Buck Regulator for DDR Power & Termination Complies with DDR/DDR2/DDR3 Standards

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:20:21 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 8, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3618, a high-efficiency dual monolithic synchronous step-down switching regulator, capable of generating the supply voltage and the bus termination voltage for DDR/DDR2/DDR3 and future standard memory applications requiring both sourcing and sinking of current. The output of the first step-down regulator offers a high accuracy VDDQ supply capable of ±3A output. An internal resistor divider sets the VTT DDR termination supply and VTTR reference voltages equal to half the voltage applied to the VDDQIN input, with output current capability of ±3A (sinking/sourcing) at VTT and ±10mA at VTTR. The VTT output is capable of operation down to 0.5V to support all DDR standards.

1A, Low Noise Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Converter Offers Extended Battery Run Time for Li-Ion & Alkaline-Powered Devices

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 09:25:48 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 3, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC3536, a synchronous buck-boost converter that delivers up to 1A of output current from a Li-Ion/Polymer source or 300mA from dual cell alkaline/NiCd/NiMH sources. Its 1.8V to 5.5V input and output voltage range achieves a +/-1% accurate output with inputs above, below or equal to the regulated output. The latest generation single inductor buck-boost pulse width modulation (PWM) topology incorporated in the LTC3536 provides a continuous transition through all of the operating modes, making it ideal for noise-sensitive applications that must maintain a constant output voltage even as the battery voltage declines below the output. In many cases, this can increase battery run time 25% versus a buck regulator. The LTC3536’s switching frequency is user programmable from 300kHz to 2MHz and can be synchronized to a system clock, optimizing the trade-off between efficiency and external component size. The combination of 1% output voltage accuracy, low noise, tiny externals and a 3mm x 3mm DFN package provides a very small solution footprint, typically required in many handheld RF and precision measurement applications.

Adjustable Shunt Regulator Operates Over a -55°C to 150°C Junction Temperature Range

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 10:25:54 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 2, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces a new high reliability MP-grade version of the LT1431, a three-terminal adjustable shunt voltage regulator that operates over a -55°C to 150°C junction temperature range. This device has a 100mA sink capability, 0.4% initial reference voltage accuracy and a ±1.4% maximum voltage drift over temperature. On-chip divider resistors allow the LT1431 to be configured as a 5V shunt regulator. By adding two external resistors, the output voltage may be set to any value between 2.5V and 36V. The nominal internal current limit of 100mA may be decreased by including one external resistor.

48-Channel PWM Generator with 12-Bit Resolution Dynamically Controls LEDs or Provides 48 DAC Outputs

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:20:27 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – August 1, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LT8500, a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator with 48 independent channels. Each channel has an individually adjustable 12-bit (4,096 steps) PWM register and a 6-bit (64 step) ±50% correction register. All controls are programmable via a simple TTL/CMOS 50MHz serial data interface. The LT8500 can be used in a wide variety of PWM-intensive applications such as LED control, as well as industrial and robotic applications. For example, the LT8500 can be used with three LT3595As, 16-channel LED drivers, to deliver 48-independently dimmed LED strings for locally dimmed LED backlighting for large LCD displays. The correction resister allows matching light output of each LED string.

150mA Supercapacitor Charger with PowerPath Control & Auto Cell Balancing in 9mm²

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 12:40:26 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 26, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3226, an inductorless supercapacitor charger with backup PowerPath™ controller for Li-ion or other low-voltage system rails in applications that require short term backup power. The device employs a low-noise dual mode (1x/2x) charge-pump architecture with constant input current to charge two supercapacitors in series from a 2.5V to 5.5V input supply to a programmable capacitor charge voltage between 2.5V and 5.3V. Charge current is resistor-programmable up to 150mA. The device’s automatic cell balancing and voltage clamping features maintain equal voltages on both cells without requiring balancing resistors. This protects each supercapacitor from overvoltage damage that could otherwise be caused by mismatches in cell capacitance or leakage, while minimizing current drain on the capacitors.

Wide Input Voltage Range Step-Down DC/DC Controller Features -55°C to 150°C Operating Junction Temperature

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:50:43 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 13, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the H- and MP- grade versions of the LTC3851A, a wide input voltage range (4V to 38V) synchronous step-down DC/DC controller that encompasses a broad range of applications, including most intermediate bus voltages and battery chemistries. The strong onboard MOSFET gate drivers enable the use of high power external MOSFETs to produce output currents up to 25A with output voltages ranging from 0.8V to 5.5V, ideal for point-of-load requirements. These H- and MP-grade versions are tested and guaranteed to operating junction temperature ranges from -40°C to 150°C and -55°C to 150°C, respectively. Applications include automotive systems, industrial, medical, datacom and telecom.

New U.S Export Regulations Reclassify Linear Technology’s 12-bit 200Msps, 14-bit 125Msps and 16-bit 10Msps ADCs for Export to China & Russia

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:13:57 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 12, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation is pleased to announce new Export Classification Control Numbers (ECCN) for their families of high performance, high speed ADCs with sample rates of up to 200Msps at 12-bit, 125Msps at 14-bits and 10Msps at 16-bit resolutions. New U.S. Export Administration Regulations have allowed these devices to be reclassified from ECCN# 3A001 to the less stringent ECCN# 3A991. This new classification provides engineers with the capability to use Linear ADCs to develop and export high performance products that can compete freely on the world market.

Temperature-to-Voltage Converter Measures Remote Diodes with 1°C Accuracy

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:13:08 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 11, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2997, a high accuracy temperature-to-voltage converter with built-in series resistance cancellation for 2.5V to 5.5V systems. Many low voltage systems today rely on temperature to assess overall system health and reliability. Traditional implementations require a series of filters, a precise reference and a current source, resulting in a complex conversion scheme prone to inaccuracies if not carefully designed. The LTC2997 is a simple temperature monitoring solution that measures a remote diode’s temperature with ±1°C accuracy or local temperature with ±1.5°C accuracy, and outputs a voltage proportional to absolute temperature. The LTC2997 provides a precise, space-saving, micropower temperature monitoring solution.

High Efficiency ±6A Switching Regulator for DDR Termination Complies with DDR/DDR2/DDR3 Standards

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 10:06:11 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 7, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3617, a high efficiency, monolithic synchronous step-down switching regulator, capable of generating a bus termination voltage for DDR/DDR2/DDR3 and future standard memory applications requiring sourcing and sinking of current. An internal resistor divider sets the VTT DDR termination supply and VTTR reference voltages equal to half the voltage applied to the input, with output current capability of ±6A (sinking/sourcing) at VTT and ±10mA at VTTR. The outputs are capable of operation down to 0.5V. The device operates from an input voltage range of 2.25V to 5.5V and allows switching frequencies as high as 4MHz, allowing for very small externals. This creates a small, compact solution footprint that is preferred for laptop computers and graphics card applications, which need ±6A or less for DDR termination. The internal synchronous top and bottom power switches have an RDS(ON) of only 35mOhm and 25mOhm respectively, enabling the LTC3617 to attain efficiencies as high as 93%, eliminating the need for an external catch diode while minimizing external component count and board space.

60V Current Sense Amplifier Offers Adjustable Fault Flags

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:57:19 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – July 6, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LT6109, a complete high side current sense device that incorporates a current sense amplifier, dual comparators and a precision 400mV voltage reference. When connected to a current shunt resistor, the high side current sense amplifier precisely extracts the shunt voltage, amplifies it, and translates it to ground. This output is available for monitoring and can be connected to either of the on-chip comparators. The LT6109 is ideal for current measurement and load current fault monitoring, especially since each element of the LT6109 offers outstanding precision and speed. The current sense amplifier has less than 350µV of offset and the combined threshold error of the comparators and reference is less than 2%. From the input of the amplifier to the output of the comparators, the LT6109 responds to threshold exceeding events within 1.4µsec.

15V, Dual 3A Monolithic Synchronous Step-Down Regulator Powers DDR1, DDR2 or DDR3 Memory

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:32:48 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 29, 2011 – The LTC3634 is a high efficiency, dual-channel monolithic synchronous step-down regulator from Linear Technology, which provides power supply and bus termination rails for DDR1, DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM controllers. The LTC3634 operates from an input voltage from 3.6V to 15V, making it ideal for dual cell Li-Ion applications as well as 5V and 12V intermediate bus systems. The LTC3634 incorporates a unique constant frequency/controlled on-time, current mode architecture, which is ideal for powering DDR applications from a 12V input supply at high switching frequencies. Its termination voltage, VTT, is set to ½ of VDDQ down to 0.6V with accuracy of ±1.6%. The combination of a monolithic design and switching frequencies as high as 4MHz, which enable the use of tiny, low cost capacitors and inductors, provides a very compact, high efficiency solution for DDR power applications.

Quad & Single LTPoE++ PSE Controllers Deliver Up to 90W

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 10:07:01 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 28, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4266A and LTC4274A, 4-port and single-port Power over Ethernet (PoE) controllers for Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE), delivering up to 90W of power to Powered Devices (PDs). The current IEEE standard, 802.3at (also known as PoE+), limits the maximum available power to PDs to 25.5W. By the time the standard was ratified in 2009, applications were already demanding higher power levels. The LTC4266A and LTC4274A address this higher power PoE market using Linear’s LTPoE++™ signaling scheme to mutually identify and provide PDs with up to 90W of power, while ensuring backward compatibility and interoperability with equipment based on the existing IEEE PoE standard. Linear offers high power versions covering 35W, 45W, 70W and 90W power levels, so that discrete components and magnetics can be sized accordingly, minimizing total solution costs. Low power 13W versions, the LTC4266C and LTC4274C, are also now available for fully automatic Type 1 PoE systems.

1.5A Negative LDO Offers Fast Transient Response, Low Output Noise & Precision Current Limit

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 10:32:17 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 20, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3015, a 1.5A negative low dropout linear regulator featuring fast transient response, low noise, and precision current limit. With its wide input voltage range of -1.8V to -30V and adjustable output voltage from -1.220V to -29.5V, the device’s common emitter NPN power transistor design requires only a single supply and enables a low dropout voltage of 310mV (typical at full load). Output voltage noise is only 60µVrms over a 10Hz to 100kHz bandwidth. The LT3015 features operating current of 1.1mA and <1µA in shutdown, and quiescent current is well controlled in dropout. The LT3015 is the negative complement to one of Linear’s popular positive LDOs, the 1.5A LT1963A, and is ideal for negative logic supplies, low noise instrumentation, industrial supplies and for post-regulating switching supplies.

Linear Technology Staff Scientist Jim Williams Remembered

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:37:44 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 15, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation today remembered the company’s long-time Staff Scientist Jim Williams, who died on June 12. Williams, who worked for Linear Technology for nearly three decades, started as an applications engineer in the early years of the company. His contributions were many-fold. He was a legendary analog circuit designer, problem solver, writer and mentor to many engineers over the years.

15W I2C Power Manager Charges Li-Ion Cells at 3.5A for Tablets, UMPCs & Portable Power Systems

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:43:00 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 15, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4155, a high power, I2C controlled, high efficiency PowerPath™ manager, ideal diode controller and lithium-ion battery charger for single-cell portable devices such as tablet PCs, ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs), personal video players, smart phones, digital cameras, PDAs, portable medical and industrial devices and personal navigation devices. The IC is designed to efficiently transfer up to 15W from a variety of sources while minimizing power dissipation and easing thermal budgeting constraints. The LTC4155’s switching PowerPath topology seamlessly manages power distribution from two input sources such as a wall adapter and USB port to the device’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery while preferentially providing power to the system load when input power is limited.

Isolated Forward Converter Integrated Circuits Specified over -55°C to 125°C Junction Temperature Range

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:07:56 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 13, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the high reliability (MP-grade) version of the LT1952/-1, LTC3900 and LT4430. These devices combine to create a high efficiency (up to 95%) synchronous rectified isolated forward converter that is specified and production tested over a -55°C to 125°C operating junction temperature range. The LT1952/-1 is a single switch forward controller with active transformer reset that provides timing signals to the secondary-side LTC3900 synchronous rectifier driver. The LT4430 is a secondary-side optodriver with a precision reference voltage that completes the tightly regulated isolated forward converter circuit. The LTC3900 and LT4430 are specified to a maximum operating junction temperature of 150°C. This type of forward converter design is well suited for 12V, 24V and 48V nominal input voltages, commonly found in telecom, datacom, industrial and military/aerospace applications.

26.8dBm IIP3 Dual Broadband RF Mixer Draws 300mW/Channel for 4G MIMO Multi-Mode Receivers

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:04:54 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – June 8, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC5569, a dual high performance RF mixer that packs a combination of 26.8dBm IIP3 (Input Third Order Intercept), 300mW per mixer and wide operating frequency coverage to address high density footprints of multimode 4G RRH (Remote Radio Head) MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) receivers. This mixer operates over a wide 300MHz to 4GHz frequency range, so a single part can be configured to operate on any of the cellular bands from 700MHz to 2.7GHz. The LTC5569 dual mixer provides best-in-class power consumption while delivering outstanding IIP3 with a conversion gain of 2dB and a noise figure of 11.7dB. This enables excellent dynamic range performance for both MIMO and diversity broadband receiver applications. Moreover, the LTC5569 has robust inputs that can withstand strong in-band blocking interference signals without significantly degrading its noise figure, thus enhancing receiver sensitivity.

Wide VIN Range Flyback Controller is Specified over a -55°C to 150°C Junction Temperature Range

Wed, 25 May 2011 11:09:56 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 25, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the high reliability (MP-grade) version of the LTC3805/-5, a programmable frequency flyback controller that operates over a -55°C to 150°C junction temperature range. This high-performance shunt regulated input voltage PWM (pulse width modulation) controller enables for wide input voltages ranging from 5V to off-line applications and is ideal for users requiring one power supply for both 48V and 24V nominal input systems.

EN55022 Class B Certified 36V, 8A Step-Down µModule Regulator

Mon, 16 May 2011 11:55:30 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 16, 2011 – Linear Technology introduces the LTM4613, an 8A step-down µModule® regulator certified by TUV Rheinland an accredited laboratory, to meet EN55022 Class B EMI (electromagnetic interference) emissions limits at up to 96W of output power. Designed to accept an input voltage from 5V to 36V, the LTM4613 delivers a regulated output voltage from 3.3V to 15V with 2.0% maximum DC error over line, load and temperature. The converter achieves peak operating efficiencies above 95% in a 24V to 12V output application.

Linear Technology Wins Prestigious EDN Innovation Awards & EE Times ACE Award

Fri, 13 May 2011 13:14:10 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 13, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation (NASDAQ: LLTC), a leading, independent manufacturer of analog integrated circuits, today announced that Robert Dobkin and Tom Hack of Linear were selected as Innovators of the Year in EDN’s 21st annual Innovation Awards (http://innovation.edn.com/). The two were selected for their work in developing the LT4180 Virtual Remote Sense Controller, which was also chosen by EDN as winner of the EDN Innovation Award in the Power ICs category for its innovative design, providing designers with new flexibility options in power design.

36V, with 55V Transient Protection, 500mA(IOUT), Step-Down DC/DC Converter with Integrated LDO

Thu, 12 May 2011 10:09:10 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 12, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3645, a 500mA (IOUT), 36V step-down switching regulator and integrated LDO packaged in a 3mm x 3mm QFN or MSOP-12E. The LT3645 operates from a VIN range of 3.6V to 36V with transient protection to 55V, making it ideal for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. Its internal 0.75A internal switch can deliver up to 500mA of continuous output current to voltages as low as 0.8V. The LT3645 uses a constant switching frequency of 750kHz to minimize noise while optimizing efficiency. In addition to the primary switcher channel, the integrated LDO can be used for an additional low noise output of up to 200mA of continuous current at voltages as low as 0.8V. Powering the LDO from the primary switching output offers both high efficiency and low noise for applications such as microprocessor core voltages. The LT3645 provides a compact, thermally efficient dual output solution, with its 3mm x 3mm QFN-16 package (or thermally enhanced MSOP-12E) and high switching frequency, which keeps external capacitors and inductor small.

Quad Independent Resistor Networks with Guaranteed CMRR Matching of 0.005% from -40°C to 125°C

Wed, 11 May 2011 10:44:19 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 11, 2011 – Linear Technology introduces the LT5400, its first family of precision matched resistors designed for high performance signal conditioning applications in difference amplifiers, precision dividers, references and bridge circuits. Three resistor network options are in full production today with resistor ratios of 1:1 and 10:1 quad 10K resistors, quad 100K resistors and dual 10K / dual 100K resistors. Each LT5400 has guaranteed matching of 0.01% from -40°C to 85°C, and 0.0125% from -40°C to 125°C. The LT5400 matching is enhanced with “matching for CMRR,” a new metric that guarantees CMRR performance when configured in a difference amplifier circuit. The LT5400 matching for CMRR is only 0.005%, a 2x improvement over independent resistors with 0.01% matching.

Octal 14-Bit, 125Msps µModule ADCs Achieve High AC Performance with only 140mW per Channel

Wed, 04 May 2011 10:23:03 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 4, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces a family of low power 14-bit, 80Msps, 105Msps and 125Msps octal µModule® ADCs that provide excellent AC performance and low power in a small form factor. The LTM9011-14 is an octal 14-bit, 125Msps ADC with 73.1dB signal to noise ratio (SNR) and 88dB spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) at baseband. Power dissipation is only 140mW per channel. The 80Msps LTM9009-14 and 105Msps LTM9010-14 consume 94mW per channel and 113mW per channel, respectively. Operating from 1.8V analog and digital supplies, the LTM9011 family includes a sleep mode that reduces power dissipation to just 2mW. Whether operating at full speed or in sleep mode, this ADC significantly lowers the power budget for high speed multichannel designs such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) WiMAX/LTE, remote radio heads (RRH), military anti-jamming devices, radar, medical imaging and ultrasound applications.

No-Opto 100V Isolated Monolithic Flyback Regulator Operates over a -55°C to 150°C Junction Temperature Range

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:11:24 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 3, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces a new high reliability (MP-grade) version of the LT3511, a high voltage isolated monolithic flyback regulator that operates over a -55°C to 150°C junction temperature range. This device simplifies the design of an isolated DC/DC converter since it needs no optocoupler, third winding or signal transformer for feedback, as the device’s output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal. The LT3511 operates over a 4.5V to 100V input voltage range, has a 240mA, 150V onboard power switch and delivers up to 2.5 watts, making it well suited for a wide variety of telecom, datacom, automotive, industrial and medical applications.

Isolated 12-Port Power over Ethernet PSE Controller Chipset Eliminates Optos for Lowest Solution Cost

Mon, 02 May 2011 11:54:45 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – May 2, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4270/ LTC4271 isolated 12-port Power Source Equipment (PSE) controller chipset designed for use in IEEE 802.3at (PoE+) Type 1 and Type 2 compliant Power over Ethernet (PoE) systems. The LTC4270/71 provides 12 independent PSE channels for simpler, lower component count designs, reduced board space and lower solution costs. The LTC4271 provides a digital interface to the PSE host, while the LTC4270 provides the high voltage Ethernet interface; the two ICs are then bridged by inexpensive Ethernet transformers. The transformer-isolated communication protocol replaces up to six expensive opto-couplers and a complex isolated 3.3V supply used in traditional designs, resulting in significant cost savings and a more robust and manufacturable design.

High Linearity Dual Downconverting Mixers Reduce Power Consumption & Size for 4G MIMO Receivers

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:12:06 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – April 26, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC559x family of four high dynamic range dual downconverting mixers covering the 600MHz to 4.5GHz wireless infrastructure frequency range. The LTC559x dual mixers offer outstanding IIP3 (Input Third-Order Intercept) of more than 26dBm, low noise figures of less than 10dB and high conversion gain of 8.5dB, enabling excellent dynamic range performance for both MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) and diversity wideband receivers. The LTC559x family of dual mixers provides best-in-class capability to maintain a low noise figure in the presence of strong blocking interferers, significantly enhancing receiver sensitivity and robustness. Unlike other dual mixers in their class, the LTC559x family can operate on a single 3.3V supply without compromising performance, reducing power consumption by more than 24% compared to the closest competing solution.

60V Battery Charging Controller & Power Manager

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:15:40 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – April 18, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4000, a high voltage controller and power manager that converts virtually any externally compensated DC/DC power supply into a full-featured battery charger. The LTC4000 is capable of driving typical DC/DC converter topologies, including buck, boost, buck-boost, SEPIC and flyback. The device offers precision input and charge current regulation and operates across a wide 3V to 60V input and output voltage range, compatible with a variety of different input voltage sources, battery stacks and chemistries. Typical applications include high power battery charger systems, high performance portable instruments, battery back-up systems, industrial battery-equipped devices and notebook/subnotebook computers.

No RSENSE 60V Boost Controller Operates over a -40°C to 150°C Junction Temperature Range

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:33:31 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – April 6, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the H-grade version of the LTC3872, a small footprint 550kHz fixed frequency step-up DC/DC controller that is specified over a -40°C to150°C junction temperature range. The LTC3872 accepts a 2.5V to 9.8V input voltage range and can produce an output voltage as high as 60V without needing a sense resistor. By using a sense resistor, the output voltage is limited only by the external components. Capable of driving large N-channel MOSFETs, the LTC3872 can produce high peak output currents. When powered with a 5V bias voltage, the switch can go up to 60V, making it well suited for automotive, heavy equipment and industrial control applications.

32-Channel 30mA Buck LED Driver with DOT Correction & Gray Scale Dimming

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:02:11 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – April 5, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LT3746, a 32-channel LED driver integrated with a 55V step-down controller. The LED driver powers up to 30mA of LED current for each channel, which can drive up to 13V of LEDs in series, making it ideal for applications such as large LED billboards. Each channel has individual 6-bit dot correction current adjustment and 12-bit gray scale PWM dimming. Combined with a 0.5µs minimum LED on-time, the LT3746 offers very wide dynamic contrast ratios. Both dot correction and gray scale dimming are accessible via a serial interface in TTL/CMOS logic. The LT3746’s 6V to 55V input voltage range makes it ideal for a wide range of input sources found in commercial and industrial designs, typically between 12V and 48V. The combination of minimal externals and a 5mm x 9mm QFN package provide a highly compact solution footprint for multichannel LED applications.

6A N-Channel MOSFET Gate Driver Operates over a -55°C to 125°C Junction Temperature Range

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:13:32 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – April 4, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces a new high reliability (MP-grade) version of the LTC4441, a 6A N-channel MOSFET gate driver that operates over a -55°C to125°C operating junction temperature range. This high power driver is designed to increase the output power and efficiency of a DC/DC controller, enabling it to drive high power N-channel MOSFETs or multiple MOSFETs in parallel. Its gate drive voltage is adjustable from 5V to 8V, allowing designers to choose either standard threshold or logic level MOSFETs. With a wide input supply range from 5V to 25V, the LTC4441 provides a simplified solution for increasing the output power capability of power supplies in telecom, industrial systems and motor control applications.

Very Low Power 12-/14-Bit 25Msps-125Msps ADCs Operate at Less than 100mW at 125Msps

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:53:20 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – March 29, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces a family of ultralow power 14-bit and 12-bit, 25Msps to 125Msps analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that dissipate less than 1mW per mega sample per second from a 1.8V supply, making them the lowest power high speed ADCs on the market. The LTC2145 family includes two-channel simultaneous sampling, parallel output ADCs, offering a choice of full-rate CMOS, or double data rate (DDR) CMOS or DDR LVDS digital outputs with programmable digital output timing, programmable LVDS output current and optional LVDS output termination. At 25Msps the 14-bit and 12-bit versions of the LTC2140 consume just 24mW per channel, while the 125Msps LTC2145 consumes only 95mW per channel. While claiming the lowest power dissipation, AC performance has not been compromised. At 14-bits, these devices achieve over 73.2dB SNR performance with 90dB of SFDR at baseband. At 12-bits, the SNR performance is better than 70.6dB. This ADC family offers a pin-compatible upgrade path to the ultralow power LTC2185 16-bit ADC family to provide a 3dB performance upgrade while maintaining portability in such applications as handheld test and instrumentation, radar/LIDAR, medical imaging, PET/SPECT scanners, military radios, smart antenna systems and a range of low-power communication systems.

60V Step-Down LED Driver Drives Three Independent LED Strings of 100mA LEDs & Offers 10,000:1 True Color PWM Dimming

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:51:29 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – March 21, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LT3597, a 60V, 1MHz, step-down DC/DC converter designed to operate as a three channel, constant current LED driver. Each channel of the LT3597 contains a constant current sink LED driver with a dedicated adaptive-output buck converter. This design offers maximum efficiency for applications, such as RGB displays, which require different output voltages for each LED string. From a 48V input, the LT3597 can drive up to three strings of LEDs, each with up to ten 100mA LEDs in series, delivering efficiencies of over 90%. The LT3597’s multichannel capability makes it ideal for backlighting LED billboards as well as industrial, automotive and medical displays. Similarly, its input voltage range of 6V to 60V makes it well suited for industrial, automotive and medical applications. Each LED string can be independently programmed to deliver up to 100mA of LED current with ± 2% current matching between strings. Furthermore, each channel can be independently dimmed with True Color PWM™ dimming, offering dimming ratios as high as 10,000:1. A programmable 200kHz to 1MHz fixed frequency operation and current-mode architecture ensures stable operation over a wide range of supply and output voltages, minimizing the size of external components. Additionally, the switching frequency is synchronizable to an external clock. The LT3597’s thermally enhanced 5mm x 8mm QFN package provides a highly compact solution footprint for LED lighting applications.

12-/10-/8-Bit Dual SPI/ I2C DACs Integrate 10ppm/°C Reference in Tiny Packages

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 10:05:57 -0500

MILPITAS, CA –March 15, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2632 and LTC2633 families of dual 12-bit, 10-bit and 8-bit rail-to-rail, voltage output digital-to-analog converters (DACs), with serial SPI (LTC2632) and I2C (LTC2633) interfaces. The LTC2632 and LTC2633 dual DACs complete Linear's family of tiny 12-bit, 10-bit, and 8-bit voltage output DACs with internal references. The LTC263x family of single, dual, quad and octal DACs offers a versatile selection, featuring the smallest solution size for numerous trimming applications.

Dual Ideal Diode & Hot Swap Controllers Save Power & Board Area

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:17:33 -0500

MILPITAS, CA – March 14, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4227, a compact, dual ideal diode with Hot Swap™ controller that provides PowerPath™ and inrush current control for redundant supplies operating from 2.9V to 18V. The LTC4227 regulates the forward voltage drop across two external N-channel MOSFETs to ensure smooth current transfer between supplies in diode-OR applications. The ideal diodes replace two high power Schottky diodes and associated heat sinks, saving space while providing a low loss path to the load. The downstream Hot Swap control MOSFET protects the board and backplane from damage during live insertion and removal, and protects from short-circuit faults with a fast acting current limit and circuit breaker. Prioritization of the two supplies is made possible by a dedicated D2ON# pin, which turns off the ideal diode for a lower priority supply. In addition to redundant power supply ORing, the LTC4227 makes an excellent diode replacement in supply holdup applications where momentary collapse of supply voltage is isolated from the load.

Dual Output Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller with Excellent Channel-to-Channel Current Sharing Boosting Power & Reliability

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:16:09 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – March 9, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3869/-2, a dual output high efficiency (up to 95%) synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with well balanced current sharing between channels when paralleled. This controller can maintain better than +/-4% current mismatch between channels during steady state and transient conditions when both outputs are paralleled due to its low 2mV sense voltage maximum mismatch. The device's 4V to 38V input range encompasses a wide variety of applications, including most intermediate bus voltages and battery chemistries. The powerful 1.1Ohm onboard gate drivers minimize switching losses and allow the use of high power external MOSFETs to produce output currents up to 25A per channel with output voltages ranging from 0.6V to 12.5V. This device maintains superior jitter-free performance even when the switching edges cross between phases, ideal for noise sensitive requirements. Applications include ASIC and FPGA supplies, power distribution, network servers and automotive power systems.

Single/Dual, 14-Bit 250Msps ADC Family Provides High SFDR Undersampling Performance

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 10:08:01 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – March 7, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation introduces a family of dual and single high IF sampling 14-bit, 170Msps, 210Msps and 250Msps analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that maintain good SFDR performance at input frequencies up to 900MHz. The LTC2152-14 and LTC2157-14 are single and dual channel simultaneous sampling ADCs, respectively, offering double data rate (DDR) LVDS digital outputs. These ADCs are specifically designed to meet the needs of today's communications systems, where high undersampling capability reduces costs by eliminating downconversion stages.

High Voltage Isolated Monolithic Flyback Regulator Simplifies Design & Eliminates Optocoupler

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:59:45 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 23, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3512, a high voltage isolated monolithic flyback regulator that significantly simplifies the design of an isolated DC/DC converter. No optocoupler, third winding or signal transformer is required for feedback since the output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal. The LT3512 operates over a 4.5V to 100V input voltage range, has a 420mA, 150V power switch and delivers up to 4.5 watts of output power, making it well suited for a wide variety of telecom, datacom, automotive, industrial and medical applications.

Second Generation High Voltage Battery Stack Monitor Advances Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Management Systems

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:20:57 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 22, 2011 – Linear Technology announces the LTC®6803, a second generation high voltage battery monitor for hybrid/electric vehicle (HEVs), electric vehicles (EVs) and other high voltage, high performance battery systems. The LTC6803 is a complete battery measuring IC that includes a 12-bit ADC, a precision voltage reference, a high voltage input multiplexer and a serial interface. Each LTC6803 can measure up to 12 individual battery cells in series. The device's proprietary design enables multiple LTC6803s to be stacked in series without optocouplers or isolators, permitting precision voltage monitoring of every cell in long strings of series-connected batteries. The LTC6803 follows the road-proven LTC6802, introduced in September 2008 with the same functionality and pinout, plus a number of significant performance enhancements.

100V High Speed Synchronous N-Channel MOSFET Drivers Operate from -40°C to 150°C

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 10:17:39 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 17, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the H-grade version of the LTC4444/-5, a high-speed, high input supply voltage (100V), synchronous MOSFET gate driver designed to drive upper and lower power N-channel MOSFETs in synchronous rectified converter topologies. This driver, combined with power MOSFETs and one of Linear Technology’s many DC/DC controllers, forms a complete high efficiency synchronous regulator. The LTC4444H/-5 operates over a junction temperature range of -40°C to 150°C, compared to the I-grade version’s -40°C to 125°C operating temperature range.

60V Input, 50µA Dual Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller Features -55°C to 150°C Operating Junction Temperature Range

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 10:22:55 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 16, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the H- and MP-grade versions of the LTC3890/-1. This high voltage dual output synchronous step-down DC/DC controller draws only 50µA when one output is active and 60µA when both outputs are enabled. The 4V to 60V input supply range is designed to protect against high voltage transients, continue operation during automotive cold crank and cover a broad range of input sources and battery chemistries. Each output can be set from 0.8V to 24V at output currents up to 20 amps with efficiencies as high as 95%, making the LTC3890/-1 well suited for 12V or 24V automotive, heavy equipment, industrial control, robotics and telecom applications. These H- and MP-grade versions are guaranteed over operating junction temperatures from -40°C to 150°C and -55°C to 150°C, respectively.

36VIN, 4A (IOUT), 1.5MHz Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Converter Offers Quiescent Current of Only 70uA

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:21:07 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - February 15, 2011 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3690, a 36V input capable, synchronous step-down switching regulator which can deliver up to 4A of continuous output current at efficiencies as high as 93%. The LT3690 operates within a VIN range of 3.9V to 36V, and offers transient protection to 60V, making it well suited for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. The LT3690's Burst Mode® operation requires only 70uA of quiescent current, ideal for applications such as automotive or telecom systems, which demand always-on operation and optimum battery life. Switching frequency is user-programmable from 170kHz to 1.5MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. The combination of its 4mm x 6mm QFN-26 package and high switching frequency keeps external inductors and capacitors small, providing a compact, thermally efficient footprint.

36V Input Dual 800mA Micropower Step-Down Regulator Has Integrated Power-On Reset & Watchdog Timer

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:10:29 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 9, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3688, a dual 800mA, 36V input step-down switching regulator with dual power-on reset and a watchdog timer. The LT3688’s 3.8V to 36V input voltage range makes it ideal for load dump and cold crank conditions commonly found in automotive applications. Its dual 1.2A internal switches deliver up to 800mA of continuous output current from each channel at output voltages as low as 0.8V. The LT3688’s Burst Mode® operation provides quiescent current of only 115µA, making it well suited for applications such as automotive or telecom systems, which demand always-on operation and optimum battery life. Switching frequency is user programmable from 350kHz to 2.2MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. The LT3688’s 4mm x 4mm QFN-24 (or thermally enhanced TSSOP–24) package and high switching frequency keep external inductors and capacitors small, providing a very compact, thermally efficient footprint.

Surface Mount 3A LDO is Easily Paralleled for High IOUT without Any Hot Spots

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:47:24 -0600

MILPITAS, CA – February 8, 2011 – Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3083, a 3A LDO that can be paralleled for heat spreading and higher output current, and is adjustable with a single resistor. This regulator is based on the same innovative architecture as its 1.1A predecessor, the LT3080, which uses a current source reference for single resistor output voltage setting. With the SET pins tied together, sharing the current and spreading the heat is accomplished between multiple regulators using a small length of PC trace as ballast, enabling multi-amp linear regulation in all surface-mount systems without heat sinks.

Isolated Active PFC Off-Line LED Controller Is TRIAC Dimmable & Needs No OPTO Isolator

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:09:00 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - February 07, 2011 - Linear Technology announces the LT3799, an isolated LED controller with active power factor correction (PFC), specifically designed for driving LEDs from a universal input range of 90VAC to 265VAC. The LT3799 is optimized for LED applications requiring 4W to over 100W of LED power and also compatible with standard TRIAC in-wall dimmers. The LT3799's unique current sensing scheme delivers a well regulated current to the secondary side without using an opto-coupler. This not only reduces cost but also improves reliability. It's single stage PFC regulator design requires minimal external components. Additionally, it's thermally enhanced MSOP-16E package ensures a simple and compact solution footprint for off-line LED applications.

Dual Output Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller with Digital Power System Management via I2C/PMBus Interface & Onboard EEPROM

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 10:31:06 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - January 24, 2011 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3880/-1, a dual output high efficiency synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with I2C-based PMBus interface for digital power system management. The device combines best in class analog switching regulator performance with precision mixed signal data conversion for unsurpassed ease of power system design and management, supported by the LTpowerPlay software development system with easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI).

60V Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller Specified up to 150°C

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:09:53 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - January 11, 2011 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3810H-5, a high input voltage synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with guaranteed specifications for junction temperatures as high as 150°C. This device employs a constant on-time valley current-mode control architecture, delivering very low duty cycles and extremely fast transient response with accurate cycle-by-cycle current limit without requiring a sense resistor. This rugged controller can directly step down voltages from 60V to an output voltage ranging from 0.8V to 93% of VIN. The powerful 1 Ohm onboard gate drivers minimize switching losses associated with driving N-channel MOSFETs at high frequency and high voltage for output currents up to 25A. Applications include 48V power conversion in telecom and datacom, as well as automotive and industrial systems susceptible to high surge voltages.

18-Bit, 1.6Msps, Serial SAR ADC Achieves Industry-Leading 101dB SNR Performance

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:33:14 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - January 10, 2011 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2379-18 , a serial 18-bit, 1.6Msps SAR analog to digital converter (ADC) that achieves an unrivaled 101dB SNR and -118dB THD while supporting a fully differential ±5V input range. This breakthrough performance establishes Linear's position as a leader in high performance ADCs. The LTC2379-18 features a maximum INL of ±2LSB with no missing codes and guaranteed specifications over the -40°C to 125°C temperature range. Operating from a 2.5V supply, the LTC2379-18 consumes only 18mW and is available in small 3mm x 4mm DFN and MSOP-16 packages. The LTC2379-18's high SNR, fast throughput and low power dissipation make it ideal for high performance medical, industrial and automotive applications.

2- & 4-Channel Hot Swap™ I2C Multiplexers Provide Capacitive Buffering

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:45:36 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 15, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4312 and LTC4314 2-wire bus multiplexers, which provide individual enable pins to connect an upstream I2C bus to any combination of downstream busses or cards. The LTC4312 and LTC4314 are pin-selectable multiplexers with bus buffers that reduce component count while promoting ideal I2C signal integrity. The LTC4312 multiplexes two channels, while the LTC4314 multiplexes four channels. These devices allow easy I2C address expansion, providing the ability to address one of multiple identical devices, thus resolving address conflict issues. Bidirectional capacitive buffering allows extension of the I2C bus size well beyond the 400pF I2C bus specification and prevents I2C signal corruption during live board insertion or removal.

3A Output, 2MHz Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Converter Offers Low Noise Operation & Extended Run Time from Batteries or Supercapacitors

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:55:49 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 14, 2010 - Linear Technology announces the LTC3113, a synchronous buck-boost converter that delivers 3A of output current from a nominal 3.3V power source, Li-Ion/Polymer battery or up to 1A from dual cell alkaline/NiCad/NiMH batteries. The LTC3113's 1.8V to 5.5V input range and 1.8V to 5.5V output range provides a regulated output from an input voltage above, below or equal to the output. The LTC3113 is also an ideal regulator solution to maximize the energy available from a two supercapacitor stack. The proprietary buck-boost topology incorporated in the LTC3113 delivers a continuous transition through all operating modes, making it ideal for demanding applications that must maintain a constant, low noise output voltage even as the input voltage declines below the output. In many cases, this can add up to 25% more battery run time compared to a buck regulator. The LTC3113's constant switching frequency is user programmable from 300kHz up to 2MHz in order to optimize the balance between efficiency and external component size. The combination of tiny externals and a 4mm x 5mm DFN or TSSOP-20E package provides unprecedented power density, typically required in many high performance applications.

Single Inductor High Efficiency Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Controller

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 11:10:05 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 13, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3789, a very high efficiency (up to 98%) synchronous buck-boost DC/DC controller that operates from input voltages above, below or equal to the regulated output voltage. High power circuits that step-up and-down typically rely on transformers or two DC/DC converters, one for step-up (boost) and the other for step-down (buck) conversion. The LTC3789 operates using a single inductor with 4-switch synchronous rectification and can deliver output power up to 150W with a single device. Even higher output power can be achieved when multiple circuits are paralleled.

Robust 3.3V/5V RS232/RS485 Multiprotocol Transceivers Provide Integrated Switchable Termination

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 11:06:59 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 08, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC2870 and LTC2871 multiprotocol transceivers with switchable integrated termination for 3.3V and 5V systems. RS485 systems require a termination resistor on the ends of the communication bus to minimize signal reflections. Both the LTC2870 and LTC2871 integrate pin-controlled termination resistors that allow for easy interface reconfiguration, eliminating external resistors and control relays. The termination resistors, when enabled, are automatically switched on or out to match the transceiver's protocol selection of RS232 or RS485. Both devices also feature high ESD protection: ±26kV HBM (LTC2870) or ±16kV HBM (LTC2871) on the transceiver bus pins, when powered off or operating. The LTC2870 can be configured as two RS232 single-ended transceivers or one RS485 differential transceiver on shared I/O lines, whereas the LTC2871 offers independent control of two RS232 transceivers and one RS485 transceiver, each on dedicated I/O lines. Both devices reduce component count for multiprotocol networks and offer on-the-fly configurability.

100V Isolated Monolithic Flyback Regulator Needs No Optocoupler

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:05:39 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 6, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3511, a high voltage isolated monolithic flyback switching regulator that significantly simplifies the design of an isolated DC/DC converter. No optocoupler, third winding or signal transformer are required for feedback since the output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal. The LT3511 operates over a 4.5V to 100V input voltage range, has a 240mA, 150V power switch and delivers up to 2.5 Watts of output power, making it well suited for a wide variety of telecom, datacom, automotive, industrial and medical applications.

Six Output DC/DC µModule Regulator

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:33:28 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - December 1, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTM8008, a six-output DC/DC µModule® regulator with guaranteed operation from -40°C to 150°C. The LTM8008 includes a 3V to 72V input SEPIC converter and six linear regulators, housed in a small 15mm x 15mm x 2.82mm LGA package. This highly integrated multiple output DC/DC µModule regulator incorporates Linear's design and manufacturing expertise, addressing extremely dense point-of-load voltage regulation for markets such as automotive, defense and avionics.

Ultrafast 7ns Response Time 15GHz RF Detector with Fast Comparator

Tue, 30 Nov 2010 10:47:08 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 30, 2010 - Linear Technology introduces the LTC5564, a precision RF power detector that operates from 600MHz to 15GHz, with exceptionally fast response time of 7ns from a pulsed RF signal. Moreover, the device has an on-chip fast comparator with a propagation delay of 9ns. The comparator threshold voltage is user-settable, enabling a flexible trip point. The device's output may be latched by asserting a latch-enable pin, permitting a fast capture of a short-duration, single-event signal or a fault condition. Its best-in-class performance enables unprecedented speed in timing measurements, rapid response to fault detection and RF power measurements in microwave systems.

Complete DC/DC µModule Regulator Delivers Dual 8A Outputs from up to 26.5VIN

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:25:33 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 29, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTM4628, µModule® regulator containing two step-down 8A DC/DC converter circuits with the inductors, MOSFETs and other necessary components in a 15mm x 15mm x 4.32mm LGA package. The low thermal impedance of the LGA package and high operating efficiency enable full output power DC/DC conversion from 12VIN to 1VOUT at 70°C ambient with no air flow, or 86°C ambient with 200 linear feet per minute.

Lowest Power, 16-Bit 125Msps ADCs Reduce Power to 185mW

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:29:53 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 22, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces three families of low power 16-bit, 25Msps to 125Msps analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that dissipate approximately half the power of competing 16-bit solutions. The LTC2165 and LTC2185 families are single- and two-channel simultaneous sampling parallel ADCs, respectively, offering a choice of full-rate CMOS, or double data rate (DDR) CMOS/LVDS digital outputs with programmable digital output timing, programmable LVDS output current and optional LVDS output termination. The LTC2195 family includes two-channel, simultaneous sampling ADCs with serial LVDS outputs. Each ADC family offers a choice of pin-compatible converters, sampling from 25Msps up to 125Msps and optimized for the lowest power dissipation at the rated speed. They include such popular features as Linear Technology's digital output randomizer and alternate bit polarity (ABP) mode that minimize digital feedback. These low power 16-bit ADCs enable designers to upgrade performance while maintaining portability in such applications as handheld test and instrumentation, radar/LIDAR, portable medical imaging, PET/SPECT scanners, smart antenna systems and a variety of low-power communication systems.

36V, with 70V Transient Protection, 2.6A(IOUT), 2.5MHz Step-Down DC/DC Converter with Dual Linear Controllers

Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:05:03 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 18, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3694, a 2.6A, 36V step-down switching regulator with dual linear controllers, packaged in a 4mm x 5mm QFN or TSSOP-20E. The LT3694 operates from a VIN range of 4V to 36V with transient protection to 70V, making it ideal for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. Its internal 3.5A switch can deliver up to 2.6A of continuous output current at voltages as low as 0.75V. Its switching frequency is user-programmable from 250kHz to 2.5MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. Each integrated LDO controller has an accurate programmable current limit up to 1A to provide an additional level of reliability. Combined with NPN transistors, they can be used to offer dual low noise outputs in addition to the primary channel. Although the LDO controllers can be powered by independent inputs, powering them from the primary switching output ensures both high efficiency and low noise. The combination of its 4mm x 5mm QFN package (or thermally enhanced TSSOP-20E) and high switching frequency, which keeps external capacitors and inductors small, provides a compact, thermally efficient footprint.

15VIN, 2.5A Synchronous Buck-Boost DC/DC Converter Features Integrated Power MOSFETs, 95% Efficiency & Low Noise Operation

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:02:25 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 17, 2010 - Linear Technology announces the LTC3112, a synchronous buck-boost converter that delivers up to 2.5A of output current from a wide range of power sources, including single or multiple cell batteries, super capacitor stacks and wall adapters. Its 2.7V to 15V input range and 2.5V to 14V output range provides a regulated output with inputs above, below or equal to the regulated output. The low noise buck-boost topology incorporated in the LTC3112 provides a continuous, jitter-free transition between buck and boost modes, making it ideal for RF and other noise-sensitive applications that must maintain a low-noise constant output voltage with a variable input power source. In many applications, battery run time is significantly extended over step-down only solutions. The LTC3112's default 750kHz switching frequency, that can be synchronized to an external 300KHz to 1.5MHz clock, and proprietary third generation buck-boost PWM circuitry ensure low noise and high efficiency while minimizing the size of external components. The combination of tiny externals and a 4mm x 5mm DFN or TSSOP-20E package provides a compact solution footprint.

36V with 60V Transient Protection, Dual Tracking 3.5A(IOUT), 2.25MHz Step-Down DC/DC Converter

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:24:10 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 16, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3692, a monolithic, dual output step-down switching regulator that can deliver up to 3.5A of continuous output current from each channel. It operates from a VINrange of 3V to 36V with transient protection to 60V, making it ideal for load dump and cold-crank conditions found in automotive applications. Independent input, shutdown, feedback, soft-start, current limit and comparator pins for each channel simplify complex power supply tracking/sequencing requirements. The LT3692's switching frequency is user programmable from 250kHz to 2.25MHz, enabling the designer to optimize efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands.

Bidirectional Current Sense Amplifier Operates from -5V to 80V with 80db of CMRR at 100 kHz

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:05:03 -0600

MILPITAS, CA - November 15, 2010 - Linear Technology announces the LT1999, a high-voltage amplifier designed for bidirectional current sensing in the presence of fast switching common-mode voltages from -5V to 80V. This wide input common-mode range is obtained with standard low voltage op amp supplies. A 2MHz bandwidth enables the LT1999 to monitor currents in H-bridge motor controls, switching power supplies, solenoid, and battery chargers. To maintain outstanding accuracy, even when monitoring motor and solenoid current, the LT1999 guarantees more than 80dB of common-mode rejection at 100kHz. This ensures that the LT1999 remains insensitive to the large square wave input common-mode voltages present in these applications.

Linear Technology & Energy Micro Demonstrate the Future of Smart Energy Harvesting

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:47:03 -0600

Oslo, Norway, November 9th, 2010 - Linear Technology and Energy Micro have combined their expertise in energy harvesting power supplies and ultralow power 32-bit microcontrollers to produce a ground-breaking demonstration at Electronica 2010, showcasing the opportunities for smart energy harvesting applications.

100V Isolated Flyback DC/DC Controller Operates up to 150°C

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:15:36 -0500

MILPITAS, CA - November 3, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation announces the LT3748H, a high input voltage isolated flyback DC/DC controller with guaranteed operation for junction temperatures as high as 150°C. This device significantly simplifies the design of an isolated DC/DC converter since there is no requirement for an opto-isolator, third winding or signal transformer for feedback, as the output voltage is sensed from the primary-side flyback signal. The LT3748 operates over a 5V to 100V input voltage range and drives an external N-channel power MOSFET, making it well suited for a wide variety of automotive, industrial, telecom and datacom applications.

2MHz, DC Accurate Synchronous Step-Down DC/DC Controller with Differential Output Sensing & Clock Synchronization

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 16:01:41 -0500

MILPITAS, CA - November 2, 2010 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3833, a high frequency controlled on-time synchronous step-down DC/DC controller with differential output voltage sensing and clock synchronization. The controlled on-time, valley current-mode architecture forces a very fast transient response by increasing its operating frequency during a transient event, allowing the LTC3833 to recover from a large load step in only a few cycles. Its 4.5V to 38V input range encompasses a wide variety of applications including most intermediate bus voltages. Strong onboard N-channel MOSFET gate drivers allow the use of high power external MOSFETs for high load current, up to 25A in applications with output voltages ranging from 0.6V to 5.5V, making it ideal for point-of-load requirements.