Power supply features eight output current configurations

9th January 2015

Siobhan O'Gorman

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Datasheet

For systems requiring multiple low voltage power supplies, Linear Technology has released the LTC3371, a highly integrated general-purpose power management solution. Four synchronous buck converters are integrated within the power supply, each powered from independent 2.25-5.5V inputs, and each configurable to share up to four of eight available 1A power stages.

Featuring eight unique output current configurations, the device provides flexibility and ease of reuse across a wide range of applications. The power supply is particularly suitable for multichannel industrial, automotive, communications and distributed power systems.

The device’s buck power stages can be connected in parallel by simply combining their respective VIN and SW pins and programming the desired configuration on the C1-C3 pins. Up to four adjacent power stages can be combined on a single channel, resulting in eight unique output configurations ranging from a quad 2A buck to a dual 4A buck. A single inductor may be used for each buck regulator, and any unused power stages may be added to one of the high power channels for improved overall efficiency.

The power supply’s precision enable pin thresholds, independent power-on reset outputs, watchdog timer and die temperature monitor, provide flexible and reliable power-up sequencing and system monitoring. All of the switching regulators are internally compensated and need only external feedback resistors to set the output voltages.

The common buck switching frequency can be programmed with an external resistor, synchronised to an external oscillator or set to a default internal 2MHz clock. The switching regulators may be programmed to operate either in Burst Mode operation for high efficiency at light loads or in forced continuous PWM mode for lowest noise at light loads. The bucks are phased in 90° steps to reduce noise and input ripple, have forward and reverse current limiting, soft-start to limit inrush current during start-up, and short-circuit protection.

The LTC3371 is available now and offered in 5x7mm QFN and TSSOP thermally enhanced 38-pin packages. E- and I-grade versions are specified for an operating junction temperature range of -40 to 125°C, while H-grade versions are specified for a range of -40 to 150°C. The E-grade versions are priced from $4.15 each and sold in 1000-piece quantities.