LINEAR Complete Energy Utilization Enhances Supercap Ride-Through Application Runtime by 40% – Design Note 485 George H. Barbehenn User Manual & Specification Guide
Summary
Optimize your electronics' reliability with this supercapacitor power ride-through system. Designed for crucial applications requiring continuous run time during main power interruptions, this manual details advanced energy harvesting methods. It explains how integrating a micropower boost regulator maximizes energy extraction from the supercapacitor bank, extending operational runtime by up to 40%. Ideal for engineers building durable systems that need ultra-low impedance and superior reliability compared to traditional batteries.
Page 1 Text Content
Complete Energy Utilization Improves Run Time of a Supercap Ride-Through Application by 40% – Design Note 485 George H. Barbehenn Introduction Complete Energy Utilization Maximizes Run Time
Many electronic systems require a local power source that of Supercap Ride-Through Application
allows them to ride through brief main power interrup- Figure 1 shows a complete 3.3V/200m A ride-through ap- tions without shutting down. Some local power sources plication that maximizes the amount of power extracted must be available to carry out a controlled shutdown if from the supercap to support the load. the main power input is abruptly removed.
The main components of the ride-through application
A battery backup can supply power in the event of a include: mains shutdown, but batteries are not well suited to
• The LTC®4425 complete 2A supercapacitor charger. It
this particular application. Although batteries can store
clamps the individual cell voltages to ensure that the
signifi cant amounts of energy, they cannot deliver much
cells do not overvoltage during charging and balances
power due to their signifi cant source impedance. Also,
the cells throughout charge and discharge.
batteries have fi nite lives of ~2 to 3 years, and the main- tenance required for rechargeable batteries is substantial. • The LTC3606 micropower buck regulator produces
the regulated 3.3V output.
Supercapacitors are well suited to such ride-through applications. Their low source impedance allows them • The LTC4416 dual ideal diode switches the supercap to supply signifi cant power for a relatively short time, in and out depending on need. and they are considerably more reliable and durable
L, LT, LTC, LTM, Linear Technology and the Linear logo are registered trademarks of than batteries. Linear Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
M1A Si7913DN
VDD VIN_BUCK
G1 H1 OR
E1 VS
LTC4416EMS LPS4018-
GND H2 VIN 102MLC 3V3
RUN SW
LTC3606BEDD
RLIM PGOOD
VSC R5 R3
1.5M M1A 54.9k FB 1.21M
VIN VIN1
Si7913DN
VOUTPFI GND EPADGND1
R7 VOUT1
1.2M 5.5V 5.5V 5.5V 5.5V 2.2μH LTC4425EMSE
HS206F HS206F HS206F HS206F LPS4018-222MLC
PFI_RET VMID R9 47k VIN R4
OPTOPTOPT SHDN SW 267k
J2 DN485 F01
PROG LTC3539EDCB
INSERT JUMPER TO BYPASS
FB PFO J1 MODE VOUT
BOOST CONVERTER
EPAD C3 C2 R8 FB 22μF 22μF
499Ω ICHARGE =1000/R R11 ICHARGE = 2A GND EPADPGND 1.02M *SUPERCAP 550m F
Figure 1. This Supercap-Based Power Ride-Through Circuit Maximizes Run Time Using an Energy Scavenging Scheme
Page Summary Contents For LINEAR Complete Energy Utilization Enhances Supercap Ride-Through Application Runtime by 40% – Design Note 485 George H. Barbehenn User Manual & Specification Guide
Manual Details
| Brand | Linear |
|---|---|
| Pages | 2 |
| File Size | 103.26 KB |
| Published | June 17, 2026 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why are supercapacitors better than batteries for ride-through applications?
Supercapacitors have low source impedance, allowing them to supply significant power and are more reliable and durable than batteries.
How does the LTC3539 boost regulator improve run time?
By recovering nearly all energy in the supercap and keeping the input to the LTC3606 above dropout voltage, it significantly extends ride-through time (40% improvement).