The LTC4364 is a surge stopper with ideal diode that provides compact and low-loss protection for 4V to 80V electronics in automotive, avionics and industrial systems. The surge stopper shields downstream electronics from input overvoltages and overcurrent, enabling continuous operation through transient surges. Overcurrent limiting protects the system and supply from short-circuits at the load.

Unique to the LTC4364 from Linear Technology is ideal diode control, which replaces a Schottky diode in the power path with a low loss N-channel MOSFET. The ideal diode, along with a robust front-end, protects the load from a reversed input down to -40V and maintains the output voltage during an input brownout.

During an input voltage surge, such as automotive load dump, the LTC4364 drops the excess voltage across an external MOSFET while regulating the output to an adjustable safe voltage. This enables the use of lower voltage rated electronics downstream. Similarly, during a current surge, the LTC4364 regulates the forward path to a current limit set by a sense resistor. For persistent overvoltage or overcurrent conditions, a VDS-accelerated timer with early warning indicator ensures safe shutdown of the MOSFET.

The LTC4364’s wide operating range maintains operation in automotive cold crank when the battery voltage could dip down to 4V. With a simple input clamp, the device can handle transient surges beyond 100V and can even survive -20V at the output. The latter, along with diode blocking and overcurrent limiting, makes the LTC4364 a complete solution for protecting output ports.

Adjustable input undervoltage and overvoltage thresholds block start-up for out-of-range voltages, avoiding deeply discharged batteries and auto-retry into a fault condition. A low 370µA operating and 10µA shutdown current prolongs battery life. The device can also be used for inrush current control, providing HotSwap capabilities.

The LTC4364 is available in two options. After a fault, the LTC4364-1 latches off the pass transistor, whereas the LTC4364-2 enables a 0.1% duty cycle auto-retry.

Specified over the full commercial, industrial and automotive temperature ranges, the LTC4364 is offered in 14-pin DFN (4mm x 3mm), and 16-lead MSOP and SO packages. Pricing begins at $3.45 each for 1,000-piece quantities and the device is available in production quantities.

Evaluation circuit boards are available online or from your local sales office.

For more information on the LTC4364, visit www.linear.com/product/LTC4364.

Summary of Features of the LTC4364:

  • Wide Operating Range: 4V to 80V
  • Withstands Surges Over 80V with VCC Clamp
  • Adjustable Output Clamp Voltage
  • Ideal Diode Enables Output Holdup During Input Brownout
  • Protects Against Reversed Input to -40V, Reversed Output to -20V
  • Overcurrent Protection
  • Output Port Protection
  • Low 10µA Shutdown Current at 12V
  • Adjustable Timer to Ride Through Transient Faults
  • 0.1% Retry Duty Cycle During Faults (LTC4364-2)
  • 14-Pin 4mm x 3mm DFN, 16-Lead MSOP & SO Packages

Typical Application

Applications

  • Automotive/Avionic Surge Protection
  • Hot Swap/Live Insertion
  • Redundant Supply ORing
  • Output Port Protection

About Linear Technology

Linear Technology Corporation, a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits, was founded in 1981, became a public company in 1986 and joined the S&P 500 index of major public companies in 2000. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, µModule products, and many other analog functions.  Applications for Linear Technology’s high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.

Linear Technology (UK) Limited
Tel: +44 (0)1628 477066

E-mail: uksales@linear.com  
Web site: www.linear.com

Website for product information:  http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4364-1