Linear introduces spread spectrum switching regulator clock

April 12, 2006

Linear Technology Corporation (www.linear.com) has introduced the LTC6908, a spread spectrum silicon oscillator in a 6-lead ThinSOT or 2x3mm DFN package, optimized for switching regulators and fully specified over the -40° to 125°C temperature range.

Linear Technology Corporation has introduced the LTC6908, a spread-spectrum silicon oscillator in a six-lead ThinSOT or 2 mm x 3 mm DFN package, optimized for switching regulators and fully specified over the -40 °C to 125 °C temperature range. Using a single resistor, the LTC6908 is programmable to any frequency from 50 kHz to 10 MHz. It comes in two configurations, each with dual outputs. The LT6908-1's outputs are 180° out of phase and the LTC6908-2's outputs are 90° out of phase.

Enabling the pseudo-random spread-spectrum provides a simple, effective way to reduce EMI, according to Linear Technology design section lead Doug LaPorte. “In the event that the switcher bandwidth is limited, the LTC6908 modulation rate can be adjusted to one of three settings. The user sets the frequency with one resistor and selects a modulation rate."