Linear Technology has announced the LTC3335, a nanopower high-efficiency synchronous buck-boost converter with an onboard precision coulomb counter. It delivers up to 50mA of continuous output current. With only 680nA of quiescent current and programmable peak input currents from 5mA up to 250mA, the device is suitable for a wide variety of low-power battery applications. Its 1.8V to 5.5V input range and eight user-selectable outputs between 1.8V and 5V can provide a regulated output supply with input voltage above, below or equal to the output. In addition, the device’s integrated precision coulomb counter (±5% battery discharge measurement accuracy) provides accurate monitoring of accumulated battery discharge in long-life primary cell applications that have extremely flat battery discharge curves. Typical applications include remote sensors and monitors, and Linear Technology’s Dust Networks SmartMesh wireless sensor network systems.
The LTC3335 includes four internal low RDSON MOSFETs and can deliver efficiency of up to 90 per cent. Other features include a programmable discharge alarm threshold, an I2C interface for accessing coulomb count and device programming, a power good output, and eight selectable peak input currents. The LTC3335 is available in both an E and I grade with an operating junction temperature range from –40°C to 125°C in a thermally enhanced, 20-lead 3mm x 4mm QFN package. Pricing starts at US$3.35 each for the E-grade at 1,000-piece quantities and all versions are available from stock.
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