Date: 03/10/2012

TI releases buck-boost converter for 3G, 4G LTE access devices

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) has announced a ‘LM3269’ 1-A seamless-transition buck-boost voltage regulator for RF power amplifiers used in 3G and 4G LTE smartphones, tablets and datacards. TI says that this regulator improves battery life by cutting current consumption as much as 50 percent and decreases heat generation in the amplifier by up to 30 degrees C.

New 4G phones have higher data upload requirements, such as "real-time," on-and-off use of applications, which need higher RF power amplifier output levels to support LTE operation, even at lower battery voltages. The LM3269 saves energy and extends battery run-time by dynamically adjusting the power delivered to power amplifiers based on how much power is needed. The converter permits the amplifier to operate across the full battery voltage range to meet these requirements with the highest efficiency and lowest noise possible.

Key features:
1. Supports full spectrum of RF output power
2. Up to 95-percent power efficiency (input of 3.7 V and output of 3.3 V at 300 mA)
3. The 2.4-MHz converter comes in a tiny microSMD package with 0.6- mm height and 18.8-mm2 total solution size

The LM3269 comes in a 2 x 2.5 x 0.6 mm, 12-bump lead-free package, and is priced at US$1.20 in 1,000-unit quantities.

For more information: www.ti.com/lm3269-pr