The LTC3388's no-load operating current of 720 nA makes it ideal for a wide range of battery-powered and low quiescent power applications including "keep-alive," energy harvesting and industrial control power. The LTC3388 utilizes hysteretic synchronous rectification to optimize efficiency over a wide range of load currents. It can offer over 90 percent efficiency for loads ranging from 15 uA to 50 mA and only requires 720 nA of no load quiescent current in regulation, thereby extending battery life. The combination of a 3 mm x 3 mm DFN package (or MSOP-10) and only five external components offers a simple and compact solution footprint for a wide array of low power applications.

The LTC3388 incorporates an accurate undervoltage lock-out feature to disable the converter when the input voltage drops below 2.3 V, reducing quiescent current to only 400 nA. Once in regulation (at no load), the LTC3388 enters a sleep mode to minimize quiescent current to only 720 nA. The buck converter then turns on and off as needed to maintain output regulation. An additional standby mode disables buck switching while the output is in regulation for short duration loads, such as wireless modems, which require low ripple.  This high efficiency, low quiescent current design is ideal for applications such as remote monitors, which require long standby times accompanied by short burst loads for powering sensors and wireless transceivers.

The LTC3388 is offered in two different versions, each with different pin-selectable output voltages. The LTC3388-1 offers 1.2 V, 1.5 V, 1.8 V or 2.5 V outputs whereas the LTC3388-3 offers 2.8 V, 3.0 V, 3.3 V or 5 V outputs.

Availability and Pricing

Pricing for the LTC3388EDD-1, LTC3388EDD-3, LTC3388EMSE-1 and the LTC3388EMSE-3 starts at 2.95 US Dollars, each, for 1,000-piece quantities. Industrial grade versions, namely the LTC3388IDD-1, LTC3388IDD-3, LTC3388IMSE-1 and LTC3388IMSE-3 are tested and guaranteed to operate from a -40 to 125 degrees C operating junction temperature. They are priced at 3.39 US Dollars each, respectively in 1,000-piece quantities. All versions are available from stock.

Related link: LTC3388