Linear Technology Corporation announces the LTC3210, a highly integrated, 800kHz, low noise, high efficiency 1x/1.5x/2x multimode charge pump for driving Main and Camera LEDs in cellular phones. It provides 5 LED current sources at up to 500mA of total output current: a 4x25mA LED Main display, and one high-current 400mA Camera LED display, all from a compact 3mm x 3mm QFN package. Each display is digitally controlled with independent dimming and programming via a single wire interface. The LTC3210''s input voltage range of 2.9V to 4.5V is optimized for single cell Li-Ion cellular applications. Efficiencies when driven from a Li-Ion battery (3.6V nominal) reach 95% with quiescent current of only 400uA, maximizing battery run-time. High switching frequency enables the use of small external capacitors. The LTC3210 requires only four small capacitors and two current set resistors to create a tiny, < 20mm2, low profile (0.75mm) solution footprint.

The LTC3210 charge pump features low-noise constant-frequency operation and automatically optimizes efficiency based on VIN and LED forward voltage conditions. The device powers up in 1x mode and automatically switches to boost mode (1.5x) when any enabled LED current source approaches dropout; a subsequent dropout switches the part into 2x mode. Maximum currents for the Main and CAM displays are set with two resistors, one per display. LED currents are controlled with precision internal current sources, while dimming and ON/OFF control for each display are achieved via a single-wire interface. The LTC3210 has 64 brightness levels for the Main display and 8 levels for the CAM output. Internal circuitry prevents inrush current and excessive input noise during start-up and mode switching; in addition the device has open/short LED protection.

The LTC3210EUD is available from stock in a low profile (0.75mm) 16-lead QFN (3mm x 3mm) package. Pricing starts at $1.70 each for 1,000-piece quantities. 
 
Summary of Features: LTC3210
 Up to 95% Efficiency without Inductors
 Multimode, Automatic Switching 1x/1.5x/2x Charge Pump for Optimal Efficiency
 Up to 500mA Total Output Current
 5 Current Sources Available for Main Display and Camera LED Drivers:
  - Four 25mA Low Dropout Main LED Outputs
  - One High-Current 400mA Low Dropout CAM
     LED Output 
 Individual Full-Scale Current Set Resistors
 Single Wire Enable Brightness Control for Main and CAM LEDs
 
 64:1 Brightness Control Range for Main Display
 Low Noise, Constant Frequency Operation
 Internal Soft-Start Limits Inrush Current During Start-Up and Mode Switching
 Open/Short LED Protection 
 2.9V to 4.5V Input Voltage Range 
 3mm x 3mm x 0.75mm QFN-16 Package