Linear Technology Launches 100V High-Speed Synchronous N-Channel MOSFET Driver
Operates in a temperature range of -40°C to 150°C

February 18, 2011 – Linear Technology Korea (CEO Hong Sa-kwak, www.linear.com ) announced the release of the H-rated version of the high-speed, high-input supply voltage (100V) synchronous MOSFET gate driver (product name: LTC4444/-5), designed to drive upper/lower power N-channel MOSFETs in synchronous rectifier converter topologies. This driver consists of a complete high-efficiency synchronous regulator with power MOSFETs and various DC/DC controllers from Linear Technology. The LTC4444H/-5 operates over a junction temperature range of -40°C to 150°C, compared to the -40°C to 125°C operating temperature range of the I version.
Adaptive shoot-through protection is integrated to prevent continuous conduction between the upper and lower MOSFETs and minimize dead time. This powerful driver is capable of providing a maximum current of 1.4A with a 1.5Ω pull-down impedance for driving the top MOSFET and a source current of 1.75A with a 0.75Ω pull-down impedance for the bottom MOSFET. This makes it ideal for driving high-gate capacitance, high-current MOSFETs. The LTC4444H/-5 can drive multiple MOSFETs connected in parallel for higher-current applications. When driving a 1,000pF load, the top MOSFET features a fast rise time of 8ns and a fall time of 5ns, while the bottom MOSFET features a rise time of 6ns and a fall time of 3ns, minimizing switching losses.
The LTC4444H/-5 can be configured for two independent supply inputs. The high-side input logic signal is internally level-shifted to a boosttrap supply, allowing it to operate at up to 114V above ground. The LTC4444-5 drives both upper and lower MOSFETs in the range of 4.5V to 13.5V, and the LTC4444 drives both upper and lower MOSFETs in the range of 7.2V to 13V.
Both products are available in a thermally enhanced MSOP-8 package. Pricing starts at $2.00 per unit for 1,000 units. For more information, see www.linear.com/LTC4444-5 .

Photo Caption: High-reliability 100V copper for DC/DC converters