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LINEAR TECHNOLOGY - LT3496 Data Sheet User Guide

Summary

The LT3496 is a powerful triple output DC/DC converter designed for advanced, high-precision LED illumination. This component provides three independent channels offering constant-current source operation and up to 3000:1 dimming via True Color PWM technology. The manual details the device's operational flexibility (including Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost modes), adjustable frequency, and built-in gate drivers for maximizing efficiency. It is essential for electrical engineers designing complex lighting systems, including RGB displays, automotive lighting, and robust constant-current power sources.

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LT3496

Triple Output LED Driver

FEATURES DESCRIPTION n True Color PWM™ Dimming Delivers Up to 3000:1 The LT®3496 is a triple output DC/DC converter designed Dimming Ratio to operate as a constant-current source and is ideal for n Built-In Gate Driver for PMOS LED Disconnect driving LEDs. The LT3496 works in buck, boost or buck- n Three Independent Driver Channels with 750m A, boost mode. The LT3496 uses a fi xed frequency, current 45V Internal Switches mode architecture resulting in stable operation over a n Operates in Buck, Boost, Buck-Boost Modes wide range of supply and output voltages. A frequency n CTRL Pin Accurately Sets LED Current Sense adjust pin allows the user to program switching frequency Threshold Over a Range of 10m V to 100m V between 330k Hz and 2.1MHz to optimize effi ciency and n Adjustable Frequency: 330k Hz to 2.1MHz external component size. n Open LED Protection

The LT3496 supports 3000:1 dimming control on each

n Wide Input Voltage Range:

channel. Each of the three regulators is independently

Operation from 3V to 30V

operated by that channel’s PWM signal. The PWM feature

Transient Protection to 40V

allows precise adjustment of the color mixing or dimming

n Surface Mount Components

ratio of the LED source. Each of the three channels has

n 28-Lead (4mm × 5mm) QFN and TSSOP Packages

a built-in gate driver to drive an external LED-disconnect P-channel MOSFET, allowing high dimming range. The

APPLICATIONS

output current range of each channel of the LT3496 is

n RGB Lighting

programmed with an external sense resistor.

n Billboards and Large Displays

The CTRL pin is used to adjust the LED current either for

n Automotive and Avionic Lighting

analog dimming or overtemperature protection.

n Constant-Current Sources

L, LT, LTC and LTM are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Protected by U.S. Patents, including 7199560, 7321203, and others pending.

TYPICAL APPLICATION High Dimming Ratio Triple Output LED Power Supply

PVIN 42V 1μF

CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 200mΩ 200mΩ 200mΩ 3000:1 PWM Dimming at 120Hz

LED1 LED2 LED3

TG1 TG2 TG3

PWM 5V/DIV

7 LEDs 0.5A 0.5A 0.5A

0.47μF 0.47μF 0.47μF 0.5A/DIV

18μH 18μH 18μH 0.5A/DIV

3496 TA01b

0.5μs/DIV

SW1 SW2 SW3 TG1-3 CAP1-3 VC1-3 LED1-3 VREF 22k

VIN LT3496

VIN CTRL1-3

3V TO 24V

PWM1-3 PWM1-3 FADJ 470p F 1μF SHDN SHDN GND OVP1-3

3496 TA01a

3496fd

Page Summary Contents For LINEAR TECHNOLOGY - LT3496 Data Sheet User Guide

Page 1 LT3496 Triple Output LED Driver FEATURES DESCRIPTION n True Color PWM™ Dimming Delivers Up to 3000:1 The LT®3496 is a triple output DC/DC converter designed Dimming Ratio to operate as a constant-curr...
Page 2 LT3496 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS (Note 1) VIN (Note 4) ...............................................................40V SHDN (Note 4) ...........................................................VIN SW...
Page 3 LT3496 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS The l denotes the specifi cations which apply over the full operating temperature range, otherwise specifi cations are at TA = 25°C. VIN = 5V, VSHDN = 5V, CAP1-3 = 5V...
Page 4 LT3496 ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS The l denotes the specifi cations which apply over the full operating temperature range, otherwise specifi cations are at TA = 25°C. VIN = 5V, VSHDN = 5V, CAP1-3 = 5V...
Page 5 IM IT IN LT3496 (TA = 25°C unless otherwise noted)TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS Switch Current Limit Quiescent Current Switch On Voltage vs Duty Cycle PWM1-3 = 5V PWM1-3 = 0V (V IT VC = GND, NOT...
Page 6 -L IT z) LT3496 (TA = 25°C unless otherwise noted)TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS Switch Frequency vs Temperature VCAP-LED Threshold vs CTRL VCAP-LED Threshold vs VCAP FADJ = 1.2V VCAP = 24V CTRL ...
Page 7 LT3496 PIN FUNCTIONS PWM1, PWM2, PWM3: Pulse Width Modulated Input. PWM pin is low, the TG pin pulls up to CAP to turn off Signal low turns off the respective converter, reduces the external MOSFET. W...
Page 8 LT3496 BLOCK DIAGRAM VSENSE ILED L1 RSENSE 0.2Ω C1 PWM1TG1LED1CAP1 SW1 OVP1 MOSFET DRIVER PWM1 A6 NPN DRIVER SR LATCH CTRL1 A8 Q3 QA2 CTRL PWM ISENS2 SLOPE BUFFER COMPARATOR REPLICATED FOR EACH CHANNE...
Page 9 LT3496 APPLICATIONS INFORMATION Operation the PWM1 pin is pulled low, Q1 is turned off. Converter 1 stops operating, M1 is turned off, disconnects LED1 and The LT3496 uses a fi xed frequency, current ...
Page 10 LT3496 APPLICATIONS INFORMATION dimming waveforms and the start-up time should be Input Capacitor Selection checked across all operating conditions. For proper operation, it is necessary to place a by...
Page 11 LT3496 APPLICATIONS INFORMATION Table 1. Ceramic Capacitor Manufacturers Table 2. Surface Mount Inductors VENDOR TYPE SERIES VALUE DCR SIZE PART NUMBER (μH) (Ω MAX) IRMS (A) W × L × H (mm3) Taiyo Yude...
Page 12 LT3496 APPLICATIONS INFORMATION Programming the LED Current voltages to ensure that a junction temperature of 125°C is not exceeded. This is especially important when operat- The LED current of each c...
Page 13 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Minimum BOM Buck Mode LED Driver CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 1μF LED1 LED2 LED3 7 LEDs 0.3A 0.3A 0.3A SW1 SW3 TG1-3 OPENSW2 CAP1-3 VC1-3 LED1-3 VREF LT3496 22k VIN CTRL1-3 3V PWM1-3 PWM...
Page 14 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Triple Boost 100m A × 10 LED Driver PVIN 12V D1 D2 D3 CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 LED1 LED2 LED3 TG1 M1 TG2 M2 TG3 M3 825k 825k 825k OVP1 OVP2 OVP3 10 LEDs 100m A 10 LEDs 100m A 10 LEDs...
Page 15 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Dual Boost LED Driver PVIN 12V CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 LED1 LED2 825k 825k OVP1 OVP2-3 10 LEDs 100m A 10 LEDs 200m A SW1 TG1 SW2 SW3 TG2 OVP1-3 CAP1-3 TG3 OPEN LED1-3 VC1-3 VIN LT34...
Page 16 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Buck-Boost Mode 300m A × 6 LED Driver PVIN 10V TO 16V 6 LEDs300m A 825k M1 OVP1-3 LED1 LED2 LED3 20k 1Ω 1Ω 1Ω CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 PVIN PVIN PVIN SW1 SW2 SW3 TG1 OVP1-3 CAP1-3 TG...
Page 17 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATIONS Triple Buck Mode LED Driver with Open LED Protection 12V TO 40V CAP1 CAP2 CAP3 1μF LED1 LED2 LED3 TG1 M1 TG2 M2 M3 TG3 OVP1 L1 L2 OVP2 OVP1 L3 SW1 SW2 SW3 TG1-3 CAP1-3 OVP1...
Page 18 LT3496 PACKAGE DESCRIPTION FE Package 28-Lead Plastic TSSOP (4.4mm) (Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1663) Exposed Pad Variation EB EXPOSED PAD HEAT SINK SEE NOTE 4 ON BOTTOM OF 6.40 PACKAGE 2.74 0.45 0.05 ...
Page 19 LT3496 PACKAGE DESCRIPTION UFD Package 28-Lead Plastic QFN (4mm × 5mm) (Reference LTC DWG # 05-08-1712 Rev B) 2.50 REF PACKAGE OUTLINE 0.25 0.05 0.50 BSC 3.50 REF 4.10 0.05 5.50 0.05 RECOMMENDED SOLDE...
Page 20 LT3496 TYPICAL APPLICATION Triple Buck-Boost Mode 100m A × 6 LED Driver PVIN 10V TO 16V 6 LEDs100m A 6 LEDs100m A 6 LEDs100m A 10μH 10μH 10μH 3000:1 PWM Dimming at 120Hz M1 TG2TG1 M2 TG3 M3 PWM 5V/DIV...

Manual Details

Brand Linear
Pages 20
File Size 258.46 KB
Published June 18, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions

What voltage range can the LT3496 operate from?

It supports a wide input voltage range, operating between 3V and 30V.

How can I adjust the LED current or optimize efficiency?

The CTRL pin allows adjustment of the current, while using the sense resistor and adjusting frequency optimizes efficiency.

What dimming capabilities does the LT3496 offer?

It provides True Color PWM™ Dimming that delivers up to a 3000:1 dimming ratio for each channel.

What protection features are included in the driver?

The unit includes Open LED Protection, transient protection up to 40V, and overtemperature protection.