Analog Circuit Design Volume Three

Chapter 301

Photoflash capacitor charger has fast efficient charging and low battery drain

Albert Wu

Abstract

A photoflash capacitor charger that has fast efficient charging and low battery drain is described.

Keywords

Photoflash capacitor charger

LT3420

Introduction

The LT3420 is designed to charge large-valued capacitors—such as those used for the strobe flashes of digital and film cameras—to high voltages. These photoflash, or strobe, capacitors range in value from a hundred microfarads to over a millifarad, with target output voltages above 300V. Traditional strobe capacitor charging methods are either inefficient or require software overhead. The LT3420 provides a compact, simple to use and efficient charger solution that requires ...