LT3590

1
3590f
TYPICAL APPLICATION
FEATURES
APPLICATIONS
DESCRIPTION
48V Buck Mode
LED Driver in SC70
and 2mm x 2mm DFN
The LT

3590 is a xed frequency buck mode converter

specically designed to drive up to 10 LEDs in series from
a 48V DC source. Series connection of the LEDs provides
identical LED currents of up to 50mA, resulting in uniform
brightness and eliminating the need for ballast resistors.
A xed frequency, current mode architecture results in
stable operation over a wide range of input voltage and
output voltage.
The high switching frequency of 850kHz permits the use
of tiny, low prole inductors and capacitors. A single pin
performs both shutdown and accurate LED dimming
control. The power switch, Schottky diode and control
circuitry are all contained inside a space saving SC70
package or 2mm 2mm DFN package to allow a small
converter footprint and lower parts cost.
Buck Mode Driver for Ten White LEDs

4.5V to 55V Input Voltage Range

Up to 50mA LED Current

80mA, 55V Switch

Internal Schottky Diode

15A Supply Current in Shutdown

500A Supply Current Operating, Not Switching

Switching Frequency: 850kHz

200mV Feedback Voltage with 5% Accuracy

CTRL Input Performs Dimming and Shutdown

91% Efciency (10 LEDs, 50mA)

Requires Only 1F Output Capacitor

8-Lead SC70 Package

6-Lead 2mm 2mm DFN Package

LED Fixed Signage

Trafc Signs

Neon Sign Replacement

, LT, LTC and LTM are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
V
IN
48V
CONTROL CTRL
V
IN
4
50mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
1F
0.1F
1F
3590 TA01a
470H
Conversion Efciency
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
70
80
90
30 50
60
50
40
10 20 40
100
3590 TA01b
LT3590
2
3590f
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Input Voltage (V
IN
) ..................................... 0.3V to 55V
LED Voltage ............................................... 0.3V to 55V
CTRL Voltage ................................................. 0V to 6.0V
VREG Voltage ................................................. 0V to 4.0V
Operating Junction Temperature Range
(Note 2) ...............................................40C to 85C
(Note 1)
Maximum Junction Temperature........................... 125C
Storage Temperature Range ...................65C to 150C
Lead Temperature (Soldering, 10 sec)
SC 8 Package Only ............................................ 300C
LEAD FREE FINISH TAPE AND REEL PART MARKING PACKAGE DESCRIPTION TEMPERATURE RANGE
LT3590EDC#PBF LT3590EDC#TRPBF LCNZ 6-Lead (2mm 2mm) Plastic DFN 40C to 85C
LT3590ESC8#PBF LT3590ESC8#TRPBF LCPB 8-Lead Plastic SC70 40C to 85C
Consult LTC Marketing for parts specied with wider operating temperature ranges.
Consult LTC Marketing for information on non-standard lead based nish parts.
For more information on lead free part marking, go to: http://www.linear.com/leadfree/
For more information on tape and reel specications, go to: http://www.linear.com/tapeandreel/
TOP VIEW
VREG
LED
V
IN
CTRL
GND
SW
DC PACKAGE
6-LEAD (2mm 2mm) PLASTIC DFN
4
5 7
6
3
2
1
SW 1
GND 2
GND 3
GND 4
8 V
IN
7 LED
6 VREG
5 CTRL
TOP VIEW
SC8 PACKAGE
8-LEAD PLASTIC SC70
T
JMAX
= 125C,
JA
= 75C/W TO 95C/W T
JMAX
= 125C,
JA
= 65C/W TO 85C/W,
JC
= 20C/W
EXPOSED PAD (PIN 7) IS GND, MUST BE SOLDERED TO PCB
PIN CONFIGURATION
ORDER INFORMATION
LT3590
3
3590f
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Note 1: Stresses beyond those listed under Absolute Maximum Ratings
may cause permanent damage to the device. Exposure to any Absolute
Maximum Rating condition for extended periods may affect device
reliability and lifetime.
Note 2: The LT3590E is guaranteed to meet performance specications
from 0C to 85C junction temperature. Specications over the 40C
to 85C operating junction temperature range are assured by design,
characterization and correlation with statistical process controls.
PARAMETER CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
Minimum Operating Voltage 4.5 V
LED Current Sense Voltage (V
IN
- V
LED
) 190 200 210 mV
Sense Voltage Load Regulation I
LED
= 10mA to 50mA 5 mV
Quiescent Current ON, No Switching V
LED
= 47.7V 500 700 A
Quiescent Current in Shutdown V
CTRL
= 0V 15 20 A
Switching Frequency 650 850 1050 kHz
Maximum Duty Cycle 90 %
Switch Current Limit 80 115 150 mA
Switch V
CESAT
I
SW
= 50mA 500 mV
Switch Leakage Current V
SW
= 48V 1 2 A
V
CTRL
for Full LED Current 1.5 V
V
CTRL
to Shut Down IC 100 mV
V
CTRL
to Turn on IC 150 mV
CTRL Pin Bias Current V
CTRL
= 1V, Current Out of Pin 100 nA
LED Pin Bias Current V
LED
= 47.8V 9 14 A
LDO Voltage V
REG
I
VREG
= 1mA 3.1 3.3 3.5 V
LDO Load Regulation I
VREG
= 0mA to 1mA 17 mV
LDO Current Limit 1.5 mA
Schottky Forward Drop I
SCHOTTKY
= 50mA 0.8 V
Schottky Leakage Current V
R
= 48V 4 A
The denotes the specications which apply over the full operating
temperature range, otherwise specications are at T
A
= 25C, V
IN
= 48V, V
CTRL
= 3.3V, unless otherwise noted.
LT3590
4
3590f
SWITCH CURRENT (mA)
20
S
W
I
T
C
H

S
A
T
U
R
A
T
I
O
N

V
O
L
T
A
G
E

(
V
)
0.6
0.7
100
0.5
0.4
0.2
40 60 80
0.3
0.8
3590 G01
40C
25C
125C
SCHOTTKY FORWARD CURRENT (mA)
0
S
C
H
O
T
T
K
Y

F
O
R
W
A
R
D

D
R
O
P

(
V
)
0.8
0.9
1.0
200
0.7
0.6
0.4
50 100 150
0.5
1.2
1.1
3590 G02
40C
25C
125C
V
IN
(V)
0
10
S
H
U
T
D
O
W
N

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

(

A
)
12
14
16
18
20
10 20 30 40
3590 G03
50 60
V
CTRL
= 0V
T
A
= 25C
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
S
H
U
T
D
O
W
N

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

(

A
)
25
18
14
25 0 50
12
10
20
16
75 100 125
3590 G04
V
CTRL
= 0V
V
IN
= 48V
0
400
Q
U
I
E
S
C
E
N
T

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

(

A
)
450
500
550
600
10 20 30 40
3590 G05
50 60
V
IN
(V)
V
CTRL
= 3.3V
T
A
= 25C
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
S
C
H
O
T
T
K
Y

L
E
A
K
A
G
E

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

(

A
)
25
1.0
25 0 50
0.5
0
2.0
1.5
75 100 125
3590 G06
V
IN
= 48V
V
IN
= 24V
V
IN
= 4.5V
1s/DIV
V
SW
20V/DIV
I
L
20mA/DIV
3590 G07
V
IN
= 48V
I
LED
= 50mA
10 WHITE LEDs
L = 470H (COILCRAFT)
40s/DIV
CTRL
5V/DIV
I
LED
50mA/DIV
V
SW
50V/DIV
I
L
50mA/DIV
3590 G08
V
IN
= 48V
I
LED
= 50mA
10 BLUE LEDs
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Switch Saturation Voltage
(V
CESAT
) Schottky Forward Voltage Drop
Shutdown Quiescent
Current vs V
IN
Shutdown Quiescent Current
vs Temperature Quiescent Current Schottky Leakage Current
Switching Waveform Transient Response
LT3590
5
3590f
TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Sense Voltage (V
IN
V
LED
)
vs V
CTRL
Switching Current Limit
vs Duty Cycle
Switching Current Limit
vs Temperature
Sense Voltage (V
IN
V
LED
)
vs V
IN
Sense Voltage (V
IN
V
LED
)
vs Temperature
Switching Frequency over
Temperature
Internal Regulator
Line Regulation
Internal Regulator
Load Regulation
Internal Regulator
V
REG
vs Temperature
V
CTRL
(V)
0
S
E
N
S
E

V
O
L
T
A
G
E

(
V
I
N
-
V
L
E
D
)
0.20
2
0.15
0.10
0
0.5 1 1.5
0.05
0.25
3590 G09
V
IN
= 48V
I
LED
= 50mA
T
A
= 25C
DUTY CYCLE (%)
0
120
130
140
80
110
100
20 40 60 100
90
80
150
S
W
I
T
C
H
I
N
G

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

L
I
M
I
T

(
m
A
)
3590 G10
T
A
= 25C
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
S
W
I
T
C
H
I
N
G

C
U
R
R
E
N
T

L
I
M
I
T

(
m
A
)
25
110
90
25 0 50
80
150
140
130
120
100
75 100 125
3590 G11
V
IN
(V)
0
206
204
202
200
198
196
194
30 50 10 20 40 60
V
I
N
-
V
L
E
D

(
m
V
)
3590 G12
I
LED
= 50mA
10 WHITE LEDs
T
A
= 25C
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
V
I
N
-
V
L
E
D

(
m
V
)
206
25
200
196
25 0 50
194
204
202
198
75 100 125
3590 G13
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
S
W
I
T
C
H
I
N
G

F
R
E
Q
U
E
N
C
Y

(
K
H
z
)
25
900
800
25 0 50
750
700
1000
950
850
75 100 125
3590 G14
V
IN
= 48V
V
IN
(V)
0
3.40
3.35
3.30
3.25
3.20
30 10 20 40 60 50
V
R
E
G

(
V
)
3590 G15
V
CTRL
= 3.3V
I
LOAD
= 1mA
V
CTRL
= 0V
I
LOAD
= 0V
T
A
= 25C
I
LOAD
(mA)
0
3.40
3.35
3.30
3.25
3.20
0.6 0.2 0.4 0.8 1
V
R
E
G

(
V
)
3590 G16
V
CTRL
= 0V
I
LED
= 0V
V
CTRL
= 3.3V
I
LED
= 50mA
T
A
= 25C
TEMPERATURE (C)
50
3.20
T
R
E
G

(
V
)
3.25
3.30
3.35
3.40
25 0 25 50
3590 G17
75 100 125
V
CTRL
= 3.3V
I
LOAD
= 1mA
LT3590
6
3590f
BLOCK DIAGRAM
PIN FUNCTIONS
SW (Pin 1/Pin 3): Switch Pin. Minimize trace area at this
pin to minimize EMI. Connect the inductor at this pin.
GND (Pins 2, 3, 4/Pin 2): Ground Pins. All ground pins
should be tied directly to local ground plane. Proper
soldering of these pins to the PCB ground is required to
achieve the rated thermal performance.
CTRL (Pin 5/Pin 1): Dimming and Shutdown Pin.
Connect it below 100mV to disable the switcher. As the
pin voltage is ramped from 0V to 1.5V, the feedback volt-
age (V
IN
- V
LED
) ramps from 0mV to 200mV, controlling
the LBD current.

I
V V
R
LED
IN LED
=

1
VREG (Pin 6/Pin 6): Internally Generated 3.3V Regulated
Output Pin. Must be locally bypassed with a 0.1F X5R
capacitor.
LED (Pin 7/Pin 5): Connection point for the anode of the
highest LED and the sense resistor.
V
IN
(Pin 8/Pin 4): Input Supply Pin. Must be locally by-
passed.
Exposed Pad (NA/Pin 7): Ground. The Exposed Pad
should be soldered to the PCB ground to achieve the
rated thermal performance.
(SC70/DFN)
Figure 1. Block Diagram

+
R Q
S
SW
LED
L1
470H
C3
0.1F
C2
1F
R1
6.8
V
IN
48V
C1
1F
V
OUT
V
IN
PWM
REG
VREG

RAMP
GENERATOR
850kHz
OSCILLATOR
GND CTRL
CONTROL
3590 F01
ISNS

+
+
VREF
1.25V
START-UP
CONTROL
EAMP
A = 6.25
LT3590
7
3590f
OPERATION
The LT3590 uses a constant-frequency, current mode
control scheme to provide excellent line and load regula-
tion. Operation can be best understood by referring to the
Block Diagram.
At power-up, the bandgap reference, the start-up bias, and
the regulator are turned on. If CTRL is pulled higher than
150mV, the switching converter sub-blocks including the
oscillator, the PWM comparator and the error amplier
are also turned on. At the start of each oscillator cycle,
the power switch Q1 is turned on. Current ows through
the inductor and the switch to ground, ramping up as the
switch stays on. A voltage proportional to the switch cur-
rent is added to a stabilizing ramp and the resulting sum
is fed into the positive terminal of the PWM comparator.
When this voltage exceeds the level at the negative input of
the PWM comparator, the PWM logic turns off the power
switch. The level at the negative input of the PWM com-
parator is set by the error amplier EAMP, and is simply
an amplied version of the difference between the V
IN
and
V
LED
voltage and the bandgap reference. In this manner,
the error amplier sets the correct peak current level in
inductor L1 to keep the output in regulation. The CTRL
pin is used to adjust the reference voltage.
The LT3590 enters into shutdown when CTRL is pulled
lower than 100mV.
Input Voltage Range
The minimum input voltage required to generate a particular
output voltage in an LT3590 application is limited by either
its 4.5V limit or by its maximum duty cycle. The duty cycle
is the fraction of time that the internal switch is on and is
determined by the input and output voltages:

DC
V V
V V V
LED D
IN SW D
=
+
+
Where V
D
is the forward voltage drop of the catch diode
(~0.8V) and V
SW
is the voltage drop of the internal switch
at maximum load (~0.5V). Given DC
MAX
= 0.9, this leads
to minimum input voltage of:

V
V V
DC
V V
IN MIN
LED D
MAX
SW D ( )
( )
=
+
+
The maximum input voltage is limited by the absolute
maximum V
IN
rating of 55V.
Pulse-Skipping
For LED strings with a low number of LEDs (1, 2, or 3),
the LT3590 can drive currents without pulse-skipping as
long as the voltage across the LED and sense resistor is
greater than roughly 15% of the input supply voltage. If
the LED voltage plus sense resistor is less than 15% of
the input supply, the device will begin skipping pulses.
This will result in some low frequency ripple, although
the LED current remains regulated on an average basis
down to zero.
Discontinuous Current Mode
The CTRL pin, in conjunction with the sense resistor,
can be used to program the LED current as discussed
under Applications Information. The LT3590 can drive a
10-LED string at 10mA LED current operating in continu-
ous conduction mode, using the recommended external
components shown in the front page application circuit
with the sense resistor equal to 10. As current is further
reduced, the regulator enters discontinuous conduction
mode. The photo in Figure 2 details circuit operation driving
ten LEDs at 2mA load. During the discharge phase, the
inductor current reaches zero. After the inductor current
reaches zero, the SW pin exhibits ringing due to the LC
tank circuit formed by the inductor in combination with
the switch and the diode capacitance. This ringing is not
harmful; far less spectral energy is contained in the ringing
than in the switch transitions. The ringing can be damped
by application of a 3k resistor across the inductor, al-
though this will degrade efciency.
Figure 2. Switching Waveforms
400ns/DIV
V
SW
20V/DIV
I
L
10mA/DIV
3590 F02
V
IN
= 48V
I
LED
= 2mA
10 WHITE LEDs
L = 470H (MURATA)
LT3590
8
3590f
Inductor Selection
A 220H inductor is recommended for most LT3590 ap-
plications with V
IN
< 25V and 470H is recommended for
applications with V
IN
> 25V. Although small size and high
efciency are major concerns, the inductor should have
low core losses at 850kHz and low DCR (copper wire
resistance). Several manufacturers and inductor series
that meet these criteria are listed in Table 1. The efciency
comparison of different inductors is shown in Figure 3.
Table 1. Inductor Manufacturers
VENDOR
PART
SERIES
INDUCTANCE
RANGE (H)
(RELEVANT TO
THIS PART)
DIMENSIONS
(mm)
Coilcraft
www.coilcraft.com
DO1605
LPS4012
LPS3010
1812FS
MSS5131
100 TO 680
100 TO 680
100 TO 330
100 TO 680
100 TO 390
5.4 4.2 1.8
4.0 4.0 1.2
3.0 3.0 0.9
5.1 5.1 3.1
Sumida
www.sumida.com
CDC4D20 100 TO 680 4.8 4.8 2.0
Toko
www.tokoam.com
LLQ1608
LLQ2012
100 TO 270
100 TO 680

Wrth Elektronik
www.we-online.com
WE-PD2
TYPE M
WE-PD2
TYPE L
100 TO 220
100 to 470
5.2 5.8 4.5
7.0 7.8 5.0
Coiltronics
www.cooperet.com
CTX32C 100 to 330 2.5 3.2 2.2
Murata
www.murata.com
LQH32M
LQH43M
100 to 560
100 to 680
3.2 2.5 2.0
4.5 3.2 2.0
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Figure 3. Efciency Comparison of Different Inductors
Capacitor Selection
The small size of ceramic capacitors make them ideal
for LT3590 applications. X5R and X7R types are recom-
mended because they retain their capacitance over wider
voltage and temperature ranges than other types such as
Y5V or Z5U. A 1F input capacitor and a 0.1F regulator
capacitor are sufcient for most applications. For the
output capacitor, 1F is generally recommended, but if
the voltage across the capacitor exceeds 10V, a 0.47F
capacitor may be used instead. For applications driving
one or two LEDs a 2.2F output capacitor is needed.
Table 2 shows a list of several ceramic capacitor manufac-
turers. Consult the manufacturers for detailed information
on their entire selection of ceramic parts.
Table 2: Recommended Ceramic Capacitor Manufacturers
Taiyo Yuden (408) 573-4150
www.t-yuden.com
AVX (803) 448-9411
www.avxcorp.com
Murata (714) 852-2001
www.murata.com
Kemet (408) 986-0424
www.kemet.com
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
92
90
88
86
84
30 10 20 40 50
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
3590 F03
TDK SLF70145-471MR22-PF
MURATA QH32CN471K23
MURATA LQH43CN471K03
COILCRAFT LP06013-474KLB
COILCRAFT 1008PS-474KLB
COILCRAFT LPS4012-474ML
V
IN
= 48V
10 LEDs
FRONT PAGE
APPLICATION
CIRCUIT
LT3590
9
3590f
Programming LED Current
The feedback resistor (R1 in Figure 1) and the sense volt-
age (V
IN
- V
LED
) control the LED current.

I
V V
R
LED
IN LED
=

1
The CTRL pin controls the sense reference voltage as
shown in the Typical Performance Characteristics. For
CTRL higher than 1.5V, the sense reference is 200mV,
which results in full LED current. In order to have accu-
rate LED current, precision resistors are preferred (1%
is recommended). The formula and table for R1 selection
are shown below.

R
mV
I
LED
1
200
=
Table 3. R1 Theoretical Value for 200mV Sense
I
LED
(mA) R1 ()
10 20
20 10
30 6.8
40 5.0
50 4.0
Dimming Control
There are three different types of dimming control circuits.
The LED current can be set by modulating the CTRL pin
with a DC voltage, a ltered PWM signal or directly with
a PWM signal.
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Using a DC Voltage
For some applications, the preferred method of brightness
control is a variable DC voltage to adjust the LED current.
The CTRL pin voltage can be modulated to set the dim-
ming of the LED string. As the voltage on the CTRL pin
increases from 0V to 1.5V, the LED current increases from
0 to I
LED
. As the CTRL pin voltage increases beyond 1.5V,
it has no effect on the LED current.
The LED current can be set by:


I
LED
=
200mV
R1
,when V
CTRL
> 1.5V
I
LED
=
V
CTRL
6.25 R1
,when V
CTRL
< 1.25V
Feedback voltage variation versus control voltage is
shown in Figure 4.
Using a Filtered PWM Signal
A variable duty cycle PWM can be used to control the
brightness of the LED string. The PWM signal is ltered
(Figure 5) by a RC network and fed to the CTRL pin.
The corner frequency of R1, C1 should be much lower
than the frequency of the PWM signal. R1 needs to be
much smaller than the internal impedance in the CTRL
pin which is 100k.
Figure 4. Dimming and Shutdown Using CTRL Pin
V
CTRL
(V)
0
V
I
N
-
V
L
E
D

(
V
)
0.10
0.15
2.0
3590 F04
0.05
0
0.5 1.0 1.5
0.25
0.20
Figure 5. Dimming Control Using a Filtered PWM Signal
PWM
kHz TYP
CTRL
C1
1F
R1
10k
3590 F05
LT3590
LT3590
10
3590f
Direct PWM Dimming
Changing the forward current owing in the LEDs not only
changes the intensity of the LEDs, it also changes the color.
The chromaticity of the LEDs changes with the change in
forward current. Many applications cannot tolerate any
shift in the color of the LEDs. Controlling the intensity of
the LEDs with a direct PWM signal allows dimming of the
LEDs without changing the color. In addition, direct PWM
dimming offers a wider dimming range to the user.
Dimming the LEDs via a PWM signal essentially involves
turning the LEDs on and off at the PWM frequency. The
typical human eye has a limit of ~60 frames per second.
By increasing the PWM frequency to ~80Hz or higher,
the eye will interpret that the pulsed light source is con-
tinuously on. Additionally, by modulating the duty cycle
(amount of on-time), the intensity of the LEDs can be
controlled. The color of the LEDs remains unchanged in
this scheme since the LED current value is either zero or
a constant value.
The time it takes for the LED current to reach its pro-
grammed value sets the achievable dimming range for a
given PWM frequency. For example, the settling time of
the LED current in Figure 6 is approximately 50s for a
48V input voltage. The achievable dimming range for this
application and 100Hz PWM frequency can be determined
using the following method.
Example:

= =
= = =
100 50
1 1
100
0 01
Hz t s
t s
D
SETTLE
PERIOD
,
.
iim Range
t
t
s
s
Min
PERIOD
SETTLE
.
: = = =
0 01
50
200 1

.
Duty Cycle
t
t
s
s
SETTLE
PERIOD
= = 100
50
0 01
1000 0 5
100 0 5 100
=
=
. %
% . % Duty Cycle Range at Hz
The calculations show that for a 100Hz signal the dimming
range is 200 to 1. In addition, the minimum PWM duty
cycle of 0.5% ensures that the LED current has enough
time to settle to its nal value. Figure 7 shows the dim-
ming range achievable for three different frequencies with
a settling time of 50s.
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Figure 7. Dimming Range Comparison
of Three PWM Frequencies
Figure 6. Direct PWM Dimming Waveforms
I
LED
20mA/DIV
V
SW
20V/DIV
PWM
5V/DIV
V
IN
= 48V
4 LEDs
2ms/DIV
3590 F06
PWM DIMMING RANGE
1 10 100 1000
3590 F07
100Hz
10kHz
1kHz
LT3590
11
3590f
3590 F08
V
REG
V
REG
V
REG
CTRL
CTRL
C3
C2
C1
V
IN
V
IN
V
IN
LED
R1
L1
LED
OUT
SW
SW
OUT
GND
GND
GND
CTRL
GND
5
6
7
8
4
3
2
1
4
5 7
6
3
2
1
R1
L1
C3
C2
C1
CTRL
GND
V
REG
V
IN
(a) SC70 Package (b) 2mm 2mm DFN Package
Figure 8. Recommended Component Placement
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
The dimming range can be further extended by changing
the amplitude of the PWM signal. The height of the PWM
signal sets the commanded sense voltage across the sense
resistor through the CTRL pin. In this manner both analog
dimming and direct PWM dimming extend the dimming
range for a given application. The color of the LEDs no
longer remains constant because the forward current of
the LED changes with the height of the CTRL signal. For
the ten LED application described above, the LEDs can be
dimmed rst, modulating the duty cycle of the PWM signal.
Once the minimum duty cycle is reached, the height of the
PWM signal can be decreased below 1.5V down to 150mV.
The use of both techniques together allows the average
LED current for the ten LED application to be varied from
50mA down to less than 50A.
Internal Voltage Regulator
The LT3590 has a 3.3V onboard voltage regulator capable
of sourcing up to 1mA of current for use by an external
device. This feature may be used to power-up a controller
from the LT3590. The 3.3V is available even during shut-
down. It is required to place a 0.1F capacitor from V
REG

to ground. The regulator current is limited to 1.5mA.
Board Layout Considerations
As with all switching regulators, careful attention must be
paid to the PCB board layout and component placement.
To prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems,
proper layout of high frequency switching paths is essen-
tial. Minimize the length and area of all traces connected
to the switching node pin (SW). Keep the sense voltage
pins (V
IN
and LED) away from the switching node. Place
the output capacitor, C2, next to the V
IN
pin. Always use
a ground plane under the switching regulator to minimize
interplane coupling. Recommended component placement
is shown in Figure 8.
LT3590
12
3590f
48V Supply for 5 LED String, 30mA Current Conversion Efciency
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
24V Supply for a 5 LED String, 30mA Current
V
IN
48V
CONTROL
>1.5V
L1: MURATA LQH32CN-391
CTRL
V
IN
R1
6.8
30mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA03a
L1
470H
V
IN
24V
CONTROL
>1.5V
L1: MURATA LQH32CN-221
CTRL
V
IN
R1
6.8
30mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA04a
L1
220H
48V Supply for 6 LED String, 50mA Current Conversion Efciency
V
IN
48V
CONTROL
>1.5V
L1: MURATA LQH32CN221K03
CTRL
V
IN
R1
4
6
LEDs
50mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA02a
L1
470H
Conversion Efciency
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
70
80
90
30 50
60
50
40
10 20 40
100
3590 TA02b
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
15 25 5 10 20 30
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
3590 TA03b
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
15 25 5 10 20 30
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
3590 TA04b
LT3590
13
3590f
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
55
60
65
30 50
50
45
40
10 20 40
70
75
80
3590 TA05b
12V
24V
Conversion Efciency
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
V
IN
12V OR 24V
CONTROL
>1.5V
CTRL
V
IN
R1
4
50mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
2.2F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA05a
L1
220H
12V or 24V Supply for a Single LED, 50mA Current
Conversion Efciency 48V Supply for Two Strings of 10 LEDs, 25mA Current
V
IN
48V
CONTROL
>1.5V
CTRL
V
IN
R1
4
25mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA06a
L1
470H
25mA
Conversion Efciency 12V Supply for a 3 LED String, 50mA Current
V
IN
12V
CONTROL
>1.5V
L1: MURATA LQH32CN-221
CTRL
V
IN
R1
4
50mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA07a
L1
220H
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
40
E
F
F
E
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
50
60
70
80
90
100
5 10 15 20
3590 TA06b
25
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
70
80
90
30 50
60
50
40
10 20 40
100
3590 TA07b
LT3590
14
3590f
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
DC Package
6-Lead Plastic DFN (2mm 2mm)
(Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1703)
2.00 0.10
(4 SIDES)
NOTE:
1. DRAWING TO BE MADE A JEDEC PACKAGE OUTLINE M0-229 VARIATION OF (WCCD-2)
2. DRAWING NOT TO SCALE
3. ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
4. DIMENSIONS OF EXPOSED PAD ON BOTTOM OF PACKAGE DO NOT INCLUDE
MOLD FLASH. MOLD FLASH, IF PRESENT, SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.15mm ON ANY SIDE
5. EXPOSED PAD SHALL BE SOLDER PLATED
6. SHADED AREA IS ONLY A REFERENCE FOR PIN 1 LOCATION ON THE
TOP AND BOTTOM OF PACKAGE
0.38 0.05
BOTTOM VIEWEXPOSED PAD
0.56 0.05
(2 SIDES)
0.75 0.05
R = 0.115
TYP
1.37 0.05
(2 SIDES)
1 3
6 4
PIN 1 BAR
TOP MARK
(SEE NOTE 6)
0.200 REF
0.00 0.05
(DC6) DFN 1103
0.25 0.05
1.42 0.05
(2 SIDES)
RECOMMENDED SOLDER PAD PITCH AND DIMENSIONS
0.61 0.05
(2 SIDES)
1.15 0.05
0.675 0.05
2.50 0.05
PACKAGE
OUTLINE
0.25 0.05
0.50 BSC
0.50 BSC
PIN 1
CHAMFER OF
EXPOSED PAD
LT3590
15
3590f
Information furnished by Linear Technology Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed for its use. Linear Technology Corporation makes no representa-
tion that the interconnection of its circuits as described herein will not infringe on existing patent rights.
PACKAGE DESCRIPTION
SC8 Package
8-Lead Plastic SC70
(Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1639 Rev )
1.15 1.35
(NOTE 4)
1.80 2.40
0.15 0.27
8 PLCS (NOTE 3)
SC8 SC70 0905 REV
1.80 2.20
(NOTE 4)
0.50 BSC
PIN 1
PIN 8
0.80 1.00
1.00 MAX
0.00 0.10
REF
NOTE:
1. DIMENSIONS ARE IN MILLIMETERS
2. DRAWING NOT TO SCALE
3. DIMENSIONS ARE INCLUSIVE OF PLATING
4. DIMENSIONS ARE EXCLUSIVE OF MOLD FLASH
AND METAL BURR

5. MOLD FLASH SHALL NOT EXCEED 0.254mm
6. DETAILS OF THE PIN 1 IDENTIFIER ARE OPTIONAL,
BUT MUST BE LOCATED WITHIN THE INDEX AREA
7. EIAJ PACKAGE REFERENCE IS EIAJ SC-70 AND JEDEC MO-203
VARIATION BA
2.8 BSC
0.30
MAX
0.50
REF
RECOMMENDED SOLDER PAD LAYOUT
PER IPC CALCULATOR
1.8 REF
1.00 REF
INDEX AREA
(NOTE 6)
0.10 0.18
(NOTE 3)
0.26 0.46
GAUGE PLANE
0.15 BSC
0.10 0.40
LT3590
16
3590f
Linear Technology Corporation
1630 McCarthy Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035-7417
(408) 432-1900

FAX: (408) 434-0507

www.linear.com LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 2007

LT 0707 PRINTED IN USA
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SD
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SD
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SD
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SD
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ThinSOT and True Color PWM are trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation.
TYPICAL APPLICATION
24V Supply for 6 LED String, 50mA Current Conversion Efciency
V
IN
24V
CONTROL
>1.5V
L1: MURATA LQH32CN-221
CTRL
V
IN
R1
4
50mA
LT3590
VREG SW
LED
GND
C2
1F
C3
0.1F
C1
1F
3590 TA08a
L1
220H
LED CURRENT (mA)
0
E
F
F
I
C
I
E
N
C
Y

(
%
)
75
80
85
30 50
70
65
60
10 20 40
90
95
100
3590 TA08b