Date: 15/06/2010

Boost type DC/DC converter to harvest energy from voltage sources of 30mV

Linear has introduced the LTC3109, a highly integrated step-up DC/DC converter and power management IC designed to start up and run from millivolt input voltage sources such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and thermopiles. The device has an auto-polarity topology that allows it to generate usable power from input voltages as low as +/- 30mV, enabling temperature differences as low as +1°C to be harvested in lieu of traditional battery power. It is suitable for applications requiring low average power, even with periodic pulses of higher load current.

The LTC3109 uses two standard compact step-up transformers to provide a complete power management solution. Its 2.2V LDO can power an external microcontroller, and its main output is pin selectable to one of four (2.35V, 3.3V, 4.1V or 5V) fixed voltages to power a sensor, data acquisition circuits and/or a wireless transmitter. Devices that do not have micropower shutdown capability can be powered using a second switched output enabled by the host. It consists of storage capacitors to provide continuous power even when the input energy source is unavailable or intermittent. The LTC3109's has a quiescent current of less than 7µA.

"Energy harvesting is an emerging technology with great potential, now poised to break out commercially. The release of the LTC3109, which was developed in cooperation with EnOcean, GmbH, enables a new generation of remote sensor products which can eliminate the need for wired power, batteries or routine maintenance for a wide variety of applications."

"Cooperation between EnOcean and Linear Technology means huge advantages for both parties," says EnOcean's CEO Markus Brehler. "Linear Technology benefits from EnOcean's expertise in energy harvesting for wireless applications, and we, in turn, see benefits in that this new Linear product is especially suitable for powering our energy harvesting wireless modules from small differences in temperature, independent of polarity."

Package:
The LTC3109EUF comes in a 20-lead 4mm x 4mm QFN package.
The LTC3109EGN comes in a SSOP-20 package.

Price:
The LTC3109EUF and LTC3109EGN start at eachUS$3.95 for 1,000-piece quantities.
The LTC3109IUF and LTC3109IGN start at each US$4.65 for 1,000-piece quantities

For more information visit: http://www.linear.com/pr/3109