MAX15050/MAX15051 High-Efficiency Switching Regulators

Overview

The MAX15050/MAX15051 high-efficiency switching regulators provide up to 4A of load current at a 0.6V output voltage (0.9 × VIN). The devices operate from 2.9V to 5.5V, making them ideal for point-of-load and postregulation applications on a board. The overall output voltage accuracy is ±1% over load, line, and temperature.

The MAX15050/MAX15051 feature 1MHz fixed-frequency PWM operation. The MAX15050 features a pulse-skipping mode to improve light-load efficiency. The MAX15050 soft-starts in a monotonic mode and then operates in forced-PWM mode or pulse-skipping mode depending on the output load current condition. The MAX15051 soft-starts in monotonic mode and operates in forced-PWM mode. The high operating frequency allows the use of small external components.

Low resistance on-chip nMOS switches ensure high efficiency at heavy loads while minimizing parasitic inductance is critical, making the layout task simpler than with discrete solutions. Simple layout and footprint ensure first pass success in new designs.

The MAX15050/MAX15051 integrate a high-bandwidth (> 26MHz) voltage-error amplifier. The voltage-mode control architecture and voltage-error amplifier allow the Type III compensation scheme to achieve maximum loop bandwidth, up to 200kHz. The high loop bandwidth provides fast transient response, resulting in a reduction in required output capacitance and all ceramic capacitors for the design.

The MAX15050/MAX15051 feature output overload hiccup protection and peak current limiting on both the high-side and low-side MOSFETs. These features provide ultra-safe operation in cases of short-circuit conditions, severe overloads, or converters with large electrolytic capacitors.

The MAX15050/MAX15051 feature an adjustable output voltage. The adjustable output voltage is fed back across two external resistors or by using an external reference voltage at the REFIN/SS input. The MAX15050/MAX15051 offer programmable soft-start time using a capacitor to reduce input inrush current. Built-in thermal shutdown protection ensures safe operation under all conditions. The MAX15050/MAX15051 are available in a 2mm x 2mm, 16-bump (4 x 4 array), 0.5mm pitch WLP package.

Key Features

Internal 18mΩ RDS(ON) MOSFET

Pulse-skipping for high efficiency at light loads (MAX15050 mode)

Continuous 4A output current

± 1% output voltage overload, line accuracy and temperature

Power supply between 2.9V and 5.5V

Adjustable Output 0.6V to (0.9 × VIN)

Adjustable soft-start reduces inrush current

Factory calibrated 1MHz switching frequency

Compatible with ceramic, polymer, output capacitors and electrolytic

Safe start-up into pre-biased outputs

Enable Input/Power Good Output

Fully protected from overcurrent and overheating

Overload protection hiccup

Sink/Source Current for DDR Applications

Available in 2mm x 2mm, 16 (4 × 4 array), 0.5mm pitch WLP package