DC/DC regulator takes up only 1.35cm?

Linear Technology Corp. has expanded its LTM4600 family with a DC/DC uModule regulator that occupies only 1.35cm? of board area and operates from a lower input voltage. LTM4604 is a complete 4-A regulator system with onboard controller, power switches, inductor and bypass capacitors housed in a 9-by-15mm LGA package.

The LTM4604 DC/DC uModule regulator operates from an input supply range of 2.35-5.5V. It regulates an output voltage from 0.8V to 5V and achieves 93 percent efficiency when converting a 3.3V input to a 2.5V output at up to 4A. With a profile of 2.3mm and weight of 0.86g, LTM4604 is specifically designed as a compact point-of-load DC/DC solution for applications requiring ultra-thin packaging such as RAID systems and single-board computers using PCI or PCIe. In addition, the compact size, low profile and light weight features of LTM4604 allows it to be mounted on the back side of a PCB, freeing up space on the top side for FPGAs, ASICs, memory and other ICs.

LTM4604 is a DC/DC point-of-load solution for systems that need to step-down input supply rails (such as 5V, 3.3V, 2.5V or Li-ion battery) with precise regulation and excellent thermal performance, said Linear Technology. The device features a current mode architecture for fast transient response, short circuit protection and is said to provide excellent line and load regulation. It also offers output voltage tracking for controlled ramp-up/ramp-down and supply sequencing. Also included are a power-good output signal to indicate whether the output voltage is in or out of regulation and protection circuitry for short-circuit and over-temperature conditions.

LTM4604 is rated for operation from -40°C to 85°C. The device is RoHS compliant and like all Linear Technology DC/DC uModule regulators, can be assembled with a standard SMT reflow process with Pb-based or Pb-free solder paste.

The device is now available and is priced at $8.95 each in quantities of 1,000.

- Gina Roos
eeProductCenter