Linear Launches Ultra-Low Voltage Step-Up Energy Harvester and Power Manager ICs

February 28, 2014 – Linear Technology Korea (CEO Hong Sa-kwak) announced the launch of a highly integrated DC/DC converter (product name: LTC3107) designed to extend the life of primary batteries in low-power wireless system networks (WSNS). The LTC3107 combines energy harvesting and power management capabilities into the primary battery cell to extend the battery's available life. The LTC3107 harvests energy when the thermoelectric generator (TEG) and thermopile are available, stores excess power in a storage capacitor, and when the harvested power is unavailable, the primary cell supplies power to the wireless sensor node.
The LTC3107's internal boost converter is combined with a small step-up transformer to harvest energy from low input voltages of approximately 20mV, typically provided by sources such as TEGs and thermopiles, and provides an output equal to the battery voltage. An additional 2.2V LDO output powers an external microprocessor. When harvested energy is unavailable, the system runs directly from the battery and consumes only 6µA. The integration of a small step-up transformer, a 3mm x 3mm package, and small external components ensures a very compact solution footprint.
The LTC3107 is designed to use a primary battery to start the IC and power the VOUT and LDO regardless of the availability of power from the energy harvest source. When an energy harvest source is available, the LT3107 fully switches to operate from the harvested source using only the 80nA standby current from the primary battery. If no energy harvesting source is available or the load exceeds the harvested energy, the LT3017 switches to the primary battery to power the VOUT and VLDO loads. The BATT_OFF indicator can be used to track battery usage.
The LTC3107IDD is supplied in a 3mm x 3mm 10-pin DFN package, and the industrial-grade version LTC3107IDD is guaranteed to operate over a junction temperature range of -40°C to 125°C. All versions are available immediately.
Photo Caption: Ultra-low voltage step-up energy harvester & power manager IC, extending primary battery life














