Linear Technology announces the LTC3530, a synchronous buck-boost converter that delivers up to 600mA of output current to a regulated output voltage with inputs above, below or equal to the output. Its input range of 1.8V to 5.5V and output range of 1.8V to 5.25V is compatible with single cell Li-Ion or dual-cell alkaline/NiCad/NiMH applications. The topology incorporated in the LTC3530 provides a continuous transfer mode through all operating modes, making it ideal for applications that must maintain a constant output voltage even as the battery voltage declines below the output. In many cases this can add up to 20% more battery run-time.

The LTC3530’s constant switching frequency provides low noise and is user programmable from 300kHz up to 2MHz, allowing optimization between efficiency and solution size. The combination of compact externals and a 3mm x 3mm DFN or MSOP-10 package. The device includes two N-Channel MOSFETs and two P-Channel MOSFETs (0.21 Ohm and 0.24 Ohm, respectively) to deliver efficiencies of up to 96%. Programmable Burst Mode operation allows the user to adjust the load current at which Burst Mode initiates. Burst Mode operation requires only 40uA of quiescent current while shutdown current is less than 1uA, further extending battery run-time. Other features include soft-start, current limiting, thermal shutdown and output disconnect. The LTC3530EDD is available from stock in a 10-lead DFN package and the LTC3530EMS is available in a 10-lead MSOP package.