Buck-Boost click™ features LTC3129-1, a buck-boost DC/DC conversion integrated circuit from Linear Technology®. The click supports a wide input voltage range and can output eight discrete regulated output voltage levels, selectable by the digital output voltage selection pins, ranging from 2.5V to 15V. 

The main features of this converter are its very low noise and low ripple at the output, as well as very high regulating efficiency and low quiescent current. A proprietary switch control algorithm allows the buck-boost converter to maintain output voltage regulation with input voltages that are above, below or equal to the output voltage. Transitions between the step-up or step-down operating modes are seamless and free of transients and sub-harmonic switching. Manufacturing quality and the design of the Buck-Boost click PCB, ensures that the electrical characteristics are kept within the specs.  
  
Those features make the Buck-Boost click a perfect solution for the regulators and post-regulators for harvested energy, solar panel post-regulators/chargers, rechargeable battery output voltage regulators, wireless low noise applications and similar.

How the click works

The active component of this click board™ is LTC3129-1, a buck-boost DC/DC conversion integrated circuit from Linear Technology®. The LTC3129-1 uses an ultra-low noise 1.2MHz PWM switching architecture, that minimizes the solution footprint by allowing for the low profile inductors and ceramic capacitors to be used. 



Buck-Boost click is able to work in two different modes of operation, depending on the nature of the application it is used in - PWM mode and Burst mode.

When the PWM mode is selected, LTC3129-1 operates in a fixed 1.2MHz PWM mode, using an internally compensated average current mode control loop. In PWM mode, ripple and the noise level of the output voltage are minimal.This mode can be selected by setting the PWM pin to logic high level (e.g. connected to VCC). The PWM mode is suitable for working with higher loads connected to the converter output and when the extremely low output noise is required. 

For high-efficiency operation at light loads, automatic Burst Mode operation can be selected, reducing the quiescent current down to 1.3µA. Burst mode can be selected if the PWM pin is set to a logic low level (e.g. connected to GND). If the connected load is light enough, the converter will remain working in burst mode, running only when necessary to maintain voltage regulation. Otherwise, the PWM mode will be automatically engaged, providing enough current for the connected heavier load.

The Buck-boost click powers itself completely from the VIN terminal. Once the power is applied to the VIN terminal, the circuit also has to be enabled by setting the RUN pin to a high logic level. This will power up the converter, which will be indicated by the PWR LED.

The RUN pin function can be utilized to prolong the battery life - for example - the converter can be turned off, preventing draining of the LiPo battery below a certain voltage.