Linear Technology's new DC/DC controller has ground-referenced controls

Linear Technology Corporation has introduced the LTC3896, a high voltage inverting switching regulator controller that drives an all N-channel synchronous power MOSFET stage. Most low to medium power inverting DC/DC converters utilise a coupled inductor or transformer. However, the LTC3896 uses only a single inductor and converts a 4V to (150V - |V_OUT‾|) positive input voltage to a regulated negative output voltage from -60V to -0.8V at output currents up to 15 amps. Efficiencies are as high as 96%, ideal for transportation, industrial, telecom and power distribution applications.

The LTC3896 contains true ground-referenced control pins, eliminating the need for discrete level-shifting components for its interface. This part draws only 40µA in sleep mode with the output voltage in regulation, ideal for always-on systems. The LTC3896’s powerful 1Ω N-channel MOSFET gate drivers can be adjusted from 5V to 10V to enable the use of logic- or standard-level MOSFETs to maximise efficiency.

To prevent high on-chip power dissipation in high input voltage applications, the LTC3896 includes an NDRV pin, which drives the gate of an optional external N-channel MOSFET acting as a low dropout linear regulator to supply IC power. The EXTV_CC pin permits the LTC3896 to be powered from its output voltage or other bias supply, which reduces power dissipation and improves efficiency.

The LTC3896 operates with an adjustable fixed frequency between 50kHz and 900kHz and is synchronisable to an external clock from 75kHz to 850kHz. The user can select from forced continuous operation, pulse-skipping or low ripple Burst Mode operation during light loads.