Did the LM3478 PWM controller become popular?

[Joerg]

Hi All,

The LM3478 looks pretty cool for battery powered stuff. Fits the
bill for many designs because it runs with an external FET and is
thus not voltage limited as most other solution.

Even Digikey has it so it's got to have some followers. What
puzzled me was that I did not find many application stories via
Google. Don't need any, just curious: Is it popular?

Regards, Joerg

 

[Winfield Hill]

Joerg wrote...

The LM3478 looks pretty cool for battery powered stuff. Fits the
bill for many designs because it runs with an external FET and is
thus not voltage limited as most other solution.

Even Digikey has it so it's got to have some followers. What
puzzled me was that I did not find many application stories via
Google. Don't need any, just curious: Is it popular?

Regards, Joerg

No second source... Maybe if they had also offered it in a
miniDIP package?


Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com (use hill_at_rowland-dot-org for now)

 

[Joerg]

Hello Winfield,

That's exactly my next concern. All these marvelous chips are single
sourced and I once had to "design out" a chip (different mfg though)
because the procurement had become a nightmare for the client. So we
went to a discrete design. Kind of a step back in age but they have
zero purchasing issues since almost a decade. This one only comes in
MSOP-8 and die as far as I know.

Designs using discretes, logic or opamps become tougher as supply
voltages keep coming down. Here chips like the LM3478 are really
enticing because of things such as having the sense trip point for
current mode conversion at 165mV instead of the usual 0.65V.

Totally off topic: What is that device you are holding in your hand on
the Art of Electronics cover? A resonator? I always wanted to know.

Regards, Joerg

 

[Winfield Hill]

Joerg wrote...

Designs using discretes, logic or opamps become tougher as supply
voltages keep coming down. Here chips like the LM3478 are really
enticing because of things such as having the sense trip point for
current mode conversion at 165mV instead of the usual 0.65V.

The high current-regulation voltages have always bothered me, and
every new IC gets my scrutiny to see how this issue has been dealt
with, 95% of the time I'm dissapointed. But you can self-help by
adding a high-speed non-inverting opamp stage into the mix.

Totally off topic: What is that device you are holding in your hand
on the Art of Electronics cover? A resonator? I always wanted to know.

It's an underwater-instrument pressure housing. Since then I've gone
to fashionably-trimmed hair and lost my beard - looks years younger,
don'cha know? Not that I shave every day, I'm seeking the Bruce Willis
look. But I mean, how does one manage to *always* have a two-day old
growth? http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/6406/pics.html

Anyway, that's what I'm working on.


Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com (use hill_at_rowland-dot-org for now)

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

Joerg wrote...

The high current-regulation voltages have always bothered me, and
every new IC gets my scrutiny to see how this issue has been dealt
with, 95% of the time I'm dissapointed. But you can self-help by
adding a high-speed non-inverting opamp stage into the mix.


It's an underwater-instrument pressure housing. Since then I've gone
to fashionably-trimmed hair and lost my beard - looks years younger,
don'cha know? Not that I shave every day, I'm seeking the Bruce Willis
look. But I mean, how does one manage to *always* have a two-day old
growth? http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/6406/pics.html

Beard clippers? Now John Dyson will be claiming you want to emulate
this guy: http://www.versii.com/image/arafat.jpg


Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Tim Auton]

Joerg wrote... [snip]

Totally off topic: What is that device you are holding in your hand
on the Art of Electronics cover? A resonator? I always wanted to know.

It's an underwater-instrument pressure housing. Since then I've gone
to fashionably-trimmed hair and lost my beard - looks years younger,
don'cha know? Not that I shave every day, I'm seeking the Bruce Willis
look. But I mean, how does one manage to *always* have a two-day old
growth? http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Set/6406/pics.html

Anyway, that's what I'm working on.

I don't know how trimmed you are now, but one of the best moves I ever
made was to cut all my hair off. A "number 2" (6mm) trim with the
clippers on my head and a "number 1" (3mm) on my chin a couple of
times a week keeps me looking presentable. I was always awful at going
to the hairdressers and shaving, but my current method has excellent
laziness tolerance.

If you do cut all you hair off then buy a hat. It gets damn cold.


Tim

 

[Winfield Hill]

If you do cut all you hair off then buy a hat. It gets damn cold.

Not for me, I'm keeping my mop as long as I can! It may be white,
and it may be thinning a bit, but it's all mine!


Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com (use hill_at_rowland-dot-org for now)

 

[Winfield Hill]

Spehro Pefhany wrote...

Beard clippers? Now John Dyson will be claiming you want to
emulate this guy: http://www.versii.com/image/arafat.jpg

Bruce Willis, he's not!


Thanks,
- Win

whill_at_picovolt-dot-com (use hill_at_rowland-dot-org for now)

 

[Mike Randelzhofer]

Hi All,

The LM3478 looks pretty cool for battery powered stuff. Fits the
bill for many designs because it runs with an external FET and is
thus not voltage limited as most other solution.

Even Digikey has it so it's got to have some followers. What
puzzled me was that I did not find many application stories via
Google. Don't need any, just curious: Is it popular?

Regards, Joerg

An alternate switcher with integrated FET which is also in the range of
approx. 1$ or below, is the L5970D or L5973D
http://www.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/7324.pdf
http://www.st.com/stonline/books/pdf/docs/8588.pdf

Lhe LM3478 and the LM3488 are also very interesting parts which i've used
successfully in several projects. The small msop8 was always an advantage in
the layout.

MIKE

 

[Joerg]

Hi Winfield,

Actually the clipper suggestion from Tim could work out. I knew someone who
used a longer comb extender on his clipper and kept the beard in perfectly
"unshaved" look at all times. Guess you need the right sports car with that
though. Or at least a Land Rover. I am using a clipper, too, but just to
keep the beard from growing into a weed-like structure. Can't do the skalp
thing because most of those hairs are gone now.

Regards, Joerg