LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LTC3738 Owner's Manual User Guide
Summary
This advanced 3-phase synchronous step-down regulator controller features programmable Active Voltage Positioning (AVP) to optimize power delivery efficiency for demanding computing systems like servers, workstations, and high-performance laptops. The LTC3738 provides precise output current matching with built-in protections, including adjustable thermal detection and short-circuit shutdown. It is designed for engineers who require a highly reliable, expandable solution capable of meeting the stringent power requirements of modern multi-CPU and fast-transient load environments.
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LTC3738
3-Phase Buck Controller for Intel VRM9/VRM10 with Active Voltage Positioning
FEATURES DESCRIPTIO 3-Phase Controller with Onboard MOSFET Drivers The LTC®3738 is a 3-phase synchronous step-down switch- Programmable Active Voltage Positioning (AVP) ing regulator controller that drives all N-channel external with True Current Sensing power MOSFET stages in a phase-lockable, fixed fre- Programmable External Thermal Detection or quency architecture. The 3-phase technique effectively Internal Thermal Sensing triples the fundamental frequency, improving transient Precise Output Current Matching Optimizes response while operating each controller at an optimal Thermal Performance and Solution Size frequency for efficiency and ease of thermal design. Light
Supports Starting into Precharged VOUTS load efficiency is optimized by using a choice of output Differential Amplifier Accurately Senses VOUT Stage Shedding or Pulse Skip mode technology.
PWM, Pulse Skip and Stage Shedding TM Operation
The LTC3738 also allows users to program load slope via
Synchronizable
a resistor for AVP control. Both external and internal
210k Hz to 530k Hz Per Phase, Fixed Frequency
thermal sensing are available from the on-chip thermal
Output Power Good Indicator with Adaptive Blanking
detector and comparator.
Adjustable Soft-Start Current Ramping
Short-Circuit Shutdown Timer with Defeat Option A differential amplifier provides sensing of both the high OPTI-LOOP® Compensation Minimizes COUT and low sides of the output voltage.
38-Lead (5mm × 7mm) QFN Package
Soft-start and a defeatable, timed short-circuit shutdown protect the MOSFETs and the load. A foldback current
APPLICATIO
circuit also provides protection for the external MOSFETs High Performance Notebook Computers under short-circuit or overload conditions. An all- “1” VID Servers, Desktop Computers and Workstations detector turns off the regulator after a 1µs timeout. , LTC and LT are registered trademarks of Linear Technology Corporation.
U.S. Patent Numbers: 5481178, 5994885, 5929620, 6177787, 6144194, 6580258, 6462525,
OPTI-LOOP is a registered trademark of Linear Technology Corporation.
6593724, 6674274, 6100678 pending on AVP technique.
Stage Shedding is a trademark of Linear Technology Corporation.
TYPICAL APPLICATIO
VRM10 Step-Down Controller
VIN 5V TG1VCC 5V TO 28V
LTC3738 0.002Ω0.8µH 22µF
10µF SW1 ×2
BOOST1
BOOST2 BOOST3
0.1µF SENSE1+ SENSE1–
SW3 SW2 SW1 VIN
POWER GOOD INDICATOR PGOOD TG2
FCB/SYNCMODE SELECTION/SYNC IN VOUT
0.8375V TO 1.6000V
PLLFLTR
TSNSTHERMAL INPUT
VR_HOTBVR HOT INDICATOR
ON/OFF OUTEN SENSE2+
680p F SENSE2–
ITH TG3
5k SS
SGND BG3 EAIN AVP
SENSE3+
SENSE3–
IN+ ×4
VID0-VID5 6 VID BITS
3738 TA01
Page Summary Contents For LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LTC3738 Owner's Manual User Guide
Manual Details
| Brand | Linear |
|---|---|
| Pages | 32 |
| File Size | 316.22 KB |
| Published | June 06, 2026 |
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