Bob wrote:
> Hi,
>
>  
>
> Have been searching for a suitable switching regulator IC and I am totally
> confused by the 1,000's of different types available!!!
>
>  
>
> Can anyone suggest a 'popular' easily available IC? Or a simple circuit?
>
>  
>
> It needs to handle an input voltage between 20 and 50 volts, supply a
> current of between 30mA and 500mA with an output voltage of 5 volts.
>
>  
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bob
>
>   
Hi Bob.

Don't know about popularity, but I like Linear stuff (I'm a hobbyist). I 
have even made a piece that uses a Linear switcher (the LT1111 - which 
has 30V max input). The thing I like about Linear is it's good website:

It is easy to find:
http://www.linear.com/pc/viewCategory.jsp?navId=H0,C1,C1003,C1042,C1032

Then type in your specifications (I get URL:

http://www.linear.com/pc/categoryProducts.jsp?vin_min=20&vin_max=50&qpsActive=true&action=INITIAL&vout=5&filterOnInit=true&iout=0.5&navId=H0%2CC1%2CC1003%2CC1042&y=5&x=25

) which has probably wrapped horribly....


And the most promising one looks like: LT1956-5 which will give just 
less than 90% efficiency at 5V with a 500kHz freq and 10uH inductor.... 
although at the 30mA side the efficiency is less..... from 250mA through 
1A it looks great.

Rolf

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