Datasheet
LT8616
16
8616fa
For more information www.linear.com/LT8616
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
switching current into a tight local loop, minimizing EMI. 
A 2.2μF capacitor is capable of this task, but only if it is 
placed close to the LT8616 (see the PCB Layout section). 
A second precaution regarding the ceramic input capacitor 
concerns the maximum input voltage rating of the LT8616. 
A ceramic input capacitor combined with trace or cable 
inductance forms a high quality (under damped) tank cir
-
cuit. If the LT8616 circuit is plugged into a live supply, the 
input 
voltage can ring to twice its nominal value, possibly 
exceeding the LT8616’s voltage rating. This situation is 
easily avoided (see Linear Technology Application Note 88).
Output Capacitor and Output Ripple
The output capacitor has two essential functions. Along 
with the inductor, it filters the square wave generated by 
the LT8616 to produce the DC output. In this role it deter
-
mines the
 output voltage ripple, thus, low impedance at 
the 
switching frequency is important. The second function 
is to store energy in order to satisfy transient loads and 
stabilize the LT8616’s control loop. Ceramic capacitors 
have  very  low  equivalent  series  resistance (ESR)  and 
provide the best ripple performance. For good starting 
values, see the 
Typical Applications section.
Use X5R or X7R types. This choice will provide low output 
ripple and good transient response. Transient performance 
can be improved with a higher value output capacitor and 
the addition of a feed forward capacitor placed between 
V
OUT
 and FB. Increasing the output capacitance will also 
decrease the output voltage ripple. A lower value of output 
capacitor can be used to save space and cost but transient 
performance will suffer and may cause loop instability. See 
the Typical Applications in this data sheet for suggested 
capacitor values.
When choosing a capacitor, special attention should be 
given to the data sheet to calculate the effective capacitance 
under the relevant operating conditions of voltage bias and 
temperature. A physically larger capacitor or one with a 
higher voltage rating may be required.
Ceramic Capacitors
Ceramic capacitors are small, robust and have very low 
ESR. However, ceramic capacitors can cause problems 
when used with the LT8616 due to their piezoelectric nature. 
When in Burst Mode operation, the LT8616’s switching 
frequency depends on the load current, and at very light 
loads the LT8616 can excite the ceramic capacitor at audio 
frequencies, generating audible noise. Since the LT8616 
operates at a lower current limit during Burst Mode op-
eration, the noise is typically very quiet to a casual ear. 
If 
this is unacceptable, use a high performance tantalum 
or electrolytic capacitor at the output. Low noise ceramic 
capacitors are also available.
Enable Pin
The LT8616 is in shutdown when both EN/UV pins are low 
and active when either pin is high. The rising threshold of 
the EN/UV comparator is 1.03V, with 50mV of hysteresis. 
The EN/UV pins can be tied to V
IN
 if the shutdown feature 
is not used, or tied to a logic level if shutdown control is 
required.
Adding a  resistor  divider from V
IN
 to  EN/UV  programs 
the LT8616 to operate only when V
IN
 is above a desired 
voltage (see the Block Diagram). Typically, this threshold, 
V
IN(EN)
, is used in situations where the input supply is cur-
rent limited, or has a relatively high source resistance. A 
switching
 regulator draws constant power from the source, 
so source current increases as source voltage drops. This 
looks like a negative resistance load to the source and can 
cause the source to current limit or latch low under low 
Table 3. Ceramic Capacitor Manufacturers
MANUFACTURER WEB
Taiyo Yuden www.t-yuden.com
AVX www.avxcorp.com
Murata www.murata.com
TDK www.tdk.com
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