Application Note 125

February 2010
Using the LTM2881 as an Isolated 5V Power Supply
Brian Jadus
Features:

2500VRMS Isolated 5V 1W Power With No External

Components

The LTM 2881 is an isolated RS485 transceiver that guards

against large ground-to-ground differentials. An onboard
DC/DC converter provides isolated 5V power to the output.
Figure 1 shows the LTM2881 congured as a dedicated
isolated power supply with the RS485 transceiver disabled,
providing a simple powerful general purpose isolated power
supply capable of delivering 1W at 5V. Figure 2 shows a
logically-controlled switched output by taking advantage of
the isolated RS485 driver to control a discrete PMOSFET.
The controlling signal DI operates relative to the VL supply, which supports voltages from 1.62V to 5.5V. In both
congurations, observation of a VCC2 fault is accomplished
by observing a high impedance condition on RO or DOUT .
When VCC2 is greater than 2.6V, RO and DOUT are driven
to the appropriate logic level based on the inputs A and
B and DIN. When VCC2 is less than 2.4V, RO and DOUT are
high impedance.

n
n
n
n

5V (LTM2881-5) or 3.3V (LTM2881-3) Input Supply

Voltage
5V DC Output Delivers 200mA at 62% Efciency with
a 5V Input (LTM2881-5) or 120mA at 52% Efciency
with a 3.3V Input (LTM2881-3)
Zero Current (Typical) Shutdown Mode When ON Pin
is Low.
Overcurrent and Overtemperature Protection
No External Components Required. Decoupling
Capacitors are Integrated.
Small Package: 15mm 11.25mm 2.8mm

L, LT, LTC, LTM, Linear Technology and the Linear logo are registered trademarks of Linear
Technology Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

VCC

VCC
1.8V TO 5.5V

VL
RO
ON
TE
DE
DI

ON
RO

IOUT

TE
DE

Z
DIN
GND2

OFF ON
CMOS
OUTPUT

PWR

IOUT REGULATED 5V
SWITCHED 5V

DI

LTM2881
330k
Z
DIN

DOUT
GND

IRLML6402

GND2

AN125 F01

Figure 1. LTM2881 Congured as a Dedicated

Isolated 5V Power Supply

VCC2
A

RE

LTM2881

DOUT
GND

VL VCC

REGULATED 5V

A
ISOLATION BARRIER

OFF ON

PWR

VCC2

ISOLATION BARRIER

VCC

CMOS
INPUT

AN125 F02

Figure 2. Switched 5V Power with Isolated CMOS Logic Connection

to VL Voltage Interface

an125f

Information furnished by Linear Technology Corporation is believed to be accurate and reliable.

However, no responsibility is assumed for its use. Linear Technology Corporation makes no representation that the interconnection of its circuits as described herein will not infringe on existing patent rights.

AN125-1

Application Note 125

Typical Performance Characteristics
TA = 25C, LTM2881-3 VCC = 3.3V, LTM2881-5 VCC = 5V, VL = 3.3V, GND = GND2 = 0V, ON = VL unless otherwise noted.

IOUT Current vs Temperature;

RS485 Disabled: DE = TE = 0,
VCC2 = 4.75V

VCC Supply Current vs Temperature

at IOUT = 100mA on VCC2
350

300

5.2

LTM2881-3

300

LTM2881-5

250

VCC2 VOLTAGE (V)

200
200
LTM2881-5
150

LTM2881-3

150
100

100

0
50

25

0
25
50
TEMPERATURE (C)

75

100

5.0

5.5V

4.9
5.0V

3.3V
4.8
3.0V
4.7

50

50

VCC = 3.0V TO 3.6V, LTM2881-3

VCC = 4.5V TO 5.5V, LTM2881-5

5.1

250
IOUT (mA)

ICC CURRENT (mA)

VCC2 Output Voltage

vs IOUT Load Current

0
50

25

0
25
50
TEMPERATURE (C)

75

100

4.5

AN125 G01

3.6V

4.5V

4.6

50

100
200
150
250
IOUT LOAD CURRENT (mA)

300

AN125 G03
AN125 G02

VCC2 Power Efciency

VCC2 Load Step (100mA)

VCC2 Noise

70
LTM2881-5

VCC2
100mV/DIV

EFFICIENCY (%)

60

10mV/DIV

50

LTM2881-3

IOUT
50mA/DIV

40
100s/DIV

30

AN125 G05

200s/DIV

AN125 G06

20
10
0

50
100
150
IOUT OUTPUT CURRENT (mA)

200
AN125 G04

an125f

AN125-2

Linear Technology Corporation

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LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION 2010