Linear Technology Corporation : Novel Current-Sharing, Diode-OR Controller Eases Design of Reliable Power Systems
06/04/2012| 06:46pm US/Eastern
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News Release ? www.linear.com
Novel Current-Sharing, Diode-OR Controller Eases
Design of Reliable Power Systems
MILPITAS, CA
- June 4, 2012 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces
the LTC4370, a first-of-its-kind
current-sharing controller with reverse current blocking. The
LTC4370 frees the designer from the limitations and
complications of existing current-sharing methods to obtain a
simpler, quicker, and space-saving solution for sharing
between two supplies. Its supply-agnostic feature lends the
design more flexibility and a longer lifetime. By
incorporating diode behavior, the controller prevents one
supply failure from bringing down the entire system.
Designers of high availability systems frequently engineer
redundancy into their power systems by paralleling two
similar supplies with diodes (diode-OR) such that one can
handle the load when the other fails. System reliability is
further increased if both supplies operate simultaneously,
each sharing half the load current. Lower currents lead to
cooler operation, reducing the failure rate by half for every
10oC fall in temperature. Other load-sharing
benefits include faster recovery after supply failure, and
the ability to operate supplies near their peak efficiency
point. Prior to the LTC4370, load-sharing solutions demanded
active control of the supplies through their trim pins or
feedback networks. They also required a share bus, and
stability compensation dependent on the supply type. The
LTC4370 greatly simplifies designs of
reliable power systems.
The LTC4370 controls N-channel MOSFETs in series with each
supply. These MOSFETs act like diodes with a variable forward
voltage. The LTC4370 adjusts the forward voltage of the
MOSFET diodes to offset the mismatch in input supply voltages
until the currents
Novel Current-Sharing, Diode-OR Controller Eases
page 2
Design of Reliable Power Systems
from each supply are equal. To limit MOSFET power
dissipation, the maximum voltage drop across the MOSFET is
adjustable with an external resistor. The controller operates
with supplies in the range of 0V to 18V. During faults, a
fast MOSFET turn-on and turn-off limits the load voltage
droop and shoot-through currents between supplies. Enable
pins can turn each MOSFET off; when both are off, the
controller bias current is lowered. Status pins indicate the
MOSFET on state, which can be used to signal a break in
current sharing by lighting a red LED. The load sharing
feature can also be switched off to turn the device into a
dual ideal-diode controller.
Specified over the full commercial and industrial temperature
ranges, the LTC4370 is offered in 16-pin DFN (4mm x 3mm) and
MSOP packages. Pricing begins at $4.95 each for
1,000-piece
quantities and the device is available today in production
quantities. Evaluation circuit boards are available online or
from your local sales office. For more information, visit
www.linear.com/product/LTC4370
Photo Caption: Current-Sharing IC Enhances System
Reliability without Trimming Supplies
Summary of Features: LTC4370
? Load Shares Two Supplies
? Eliminates Need for Active Control of Input
Supplies
? No Share Bus
? Blocks Reverse Current
? No Shoot-Through Current During Startup or
Faults
? 0V to 18V Operation
? Enable Inputs
? MOSFET On Status Outputs
? Dual Ideal Diode Mode
? 16-Pin DFN (4mm x 3mm) & MSOP Packages
Novel Current-Sharing, Diode-OR Controller Eases
page 3
Design of Reliable Power Systems
About Linear Technology
Linear Technology Corporation, a member of the S&P 500, has
been designing, manufacturing and marketing a broad line of
high performance analog integrated circuits for major
companies worldwide for three decades. The Company's products
provide an essential bridge between our analog world and the
digital electronics in communications, networking,
industrial, automotive, computer, medical, instrumentation,
consumer, and military and aerospace systems. Linear
Technology produces power management, data conversion, signal
conditioning, RF and interface
ICs, µModule®subsystems, and wireless sensor
network products. For more information, visit
www.linear.com
LT, LTC, LTM, µModule and are registered trademarks of Linear
Technology Corp. All other trademarks are the property of
their respective owners.
Press Contacts:
North America / Worldwide UK & Nordic
John Hamburger, Director Marketing Alan Timmins
Communications alan@ezwire.com jhamburger@linear.com
Tel: +44-1-252-629937
Tel: 408-432-1900 ext 2419
Doug Dickinson, Media Relations Manager ddickinson@linear.com
Tel: 408-432-1900 ext 2233
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