Dual Output Synchronous DC/DC Controller Draws Only 170uA in Battery-Powered Systems

The LTC3858/-1's wide input supply range of 4V to 38V protects against automotive wide input voltage transients commonly found during load dump and cold crank conditions and to cover a broad range of battery chemistries. Each output can be set from 0.8V to 24V at output currents up to 20 amps with efficiency as high as 95%. The LTC3858/-1 is suitable for powering high performance systems including navigation, audio, communications, CD/DVD players and disk drives.

The LTC3858/-1 has powerful 1.1Ω on-board MOSFET gate drivers and operates with an adjustable fixed frequency between 50kHz and 900kHz, or can be synchronized to an external clock from 75kHz to 850kHz using its phase-locked-loop (PLL). The user can select from continuous operation, pulse skipping and low ripple Burst Mode® operation during light loads. The part safely powers pre-biased loads. The LTC3858/-1's 2-phase operation reduces input capacitance requirements, while its current mode architecture provides easy loop compensation and fast transient response. Both outputs have adjustable soft-start to control the turn-on time and the output overload protection feature latches off the converter until the input voltage is recycled. The LTC3858/-1 also features a tight ±1% reference voltage accuracy over the operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The LTC3858 is the fully featured part with additional functions beyond the LTC3858-1 including a clock out, clock phase modulation, two separate power good signals and adjustable current limit.