Milpitas, CA -- January 7, 2010 - Linear Technology announces the LTC3588-1, a complete energy harvesting solution optimized for low energy sources, including piezoelectric transducers. The LTC3588-1 integrates a low-loss, full-wave bridge rectifier with a high efficiency buck converter to harvest ambient vibrational energy via piezoelectric transducers and then convert it to a well-regulated output to power application microcontrollers, sensors, data converters and wireless transmission components. The LTC3588-1 operates from an input voltage range of 2.7V to 20V, making it ideal for a wide array of piezoelectric transducers, as well other high output impedance energy sources. Its high efficiency buck DC/DC converter delivers up to 100mA of continuous output current or even higher pulsed loads. Its output can be programmed to one of four (1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V or 3.6V) fixed voltages to power a wireless transmitter or sensor. Quiescent current is only 950nA with the output in regulation (at no load), maximizing overall efficiency.

The LTC3588-1 is designed to interface directly with a piezoelectric or alternative AC power source, rectify a voltage waveform and store harvested energy in an external storage capacitor while dissipating any excess power via an internal shunt regulator. An ultralow quiescent current (450nA) undervoltage lockout (ULVO) mode with a wide hysteresis window enables charge to accumulate on the storage capacitor until the buck converter can efficiently transfer a portion of the stored charge to the output. In its no load sleep state, the LTC3588-1 regulates the output voltage, consuming only 950nA of quiescent current while continuously charging the storage capacitor. The LTC3588-1 requires minimal external components and is packaged in either a 3mm x 3mm DFN or a thermally enhanced MSOP-10 package, providing a compact solution footprint for a broad range of energy harvesting applications.

The LTC3588EDD-1 is available in a 3mm x 3mm DFN package and the LTC3588EMSE-1 is available in a thermally enhanced MSOP-10 package. Pricing starts at $2.95 each for 1,000-piece quantities. Industrial temperature grade versions, the LTC3588IDD-1 and LTC3588IMSE-1, are also available, priced starting at $3.47 each for 1,000-piece quantities. All versions are available from stock. For more information, visit www.linear.com.