Linear Technology LTC3108 step-up DC/DC converter

Linear Technology has released the LTC3108, a highly integrated step-up DC/DC converter designed to start-up and run from extremely low input voltage sources such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs), thermopiles and small solar cells.

Its self-resonant topology steps up from input voltages of 20 mV. Small temperature differences can be harvested and used to generate system power instead of traditional battery power.

The device uses a small standard step-up transformer to provide power management. Its 2.2 V LDO can power an external microcontroller, while its main output is pin selectable to one of four (2.35, 3.3, 4.1 or 5 V) fixed voltages to power a wireless transmitter or sensors.

A second switched output can be enabled by the host to power devices that do not have a micropower shutdown capability. The addition of a storage capacitor provides continuous power even when the input energy source is unavailable.

The device’s low quiescent current (\<6 µA) ensures fast charge times for the output reservoir capacitor.