19-4320; Rev 1; 12/09
4A, 2MHz Step-Down Regulator
with Integrated Switches
MAX15038
General Description
Features
o Internal 31mΩ R
High-Side and 24mΩ
The MAX15038 high-efficiency switching regulator
delivers up to 4A load current at output voltages from
DS(ON)
R
Low-Side MOSFETs
DS(ON)
o Continuous 4A Output Current Over Temperature
0.6V to 90% of V . The IC operates from 2.9V to 5.5V,
IN
making it ideal for on-board point-of-load and postregu-
lation applications. Total output error is less than 1%
over load, line, and temperature ranges.
o
1ꢀ Output Aꢁꢁuraꢁc Over Loadꢂ Lineꢂ and
Temperature
o Operates from 2.9V to 5.5V V Supplc
IN
o Adjustable Output from 0.6V to (0.9 x V )
IN
The MAX15038 features fixed-frequency PWM mode
operation with a switching frequency range of 500kHz
to 2MHz set by an external resistor. The MAX15038
provides the option of operating in a skip mode to
improve light-load efficiency. High-frequency operation
allows for an all-ceramic capacitor design. The high
operating frequency also allows for small-size external
components.
o Soft-Start Reduꢁes Inrush Supplc Current
o 500kHz to 2MHz Adjustable Switꢁhing Frequenꢁc
o Compatible with Ceramiꢁꢂ Polcmerꢂ and
Eleꢁtrolctiꢁ Output Capaꢁitors
o Nine Preset and Adjustable Output Voltages
0.6Vꢂ 0.7Vꢂ 0.8Vꢂ 1.0Vꢂ 1.2Vꢂ 1.5Vꢂ 1.8Vꢂ 2.0Vꢂ
2.5Vꢂ and Adjustable
o Monotoniꢁ Startup for Safe-Start into Prebiased
The low-resistance on-chip nMOS switches ensure high
efficiency at heavy loads while minimizing critical induc-
tances, making the layout a much simpler task with
respect to discrete solutions. Following a simple layout
and footprint ensures first-pass success in new designs.
Outputs
o Seleꢁtable Forꢁed PWM or Skip Mode for Light
Load Effiꢁienꢁc
o Overꢁurrent and Overtemperature Proteꢁtion
o Output Current Sink/Sourꢁe Capable with Ccꢁle-
bc-Ccꢁle Proteꢁtion
o Open-Drain Power-Good Output
o Lead-Freeꢂ 4mm x 4mmꢂ 24-Pin Thin QFN Paꢁkage
The MAX15038 comes with a high bandwidth (28MHz)
voltage-error amplifier. The voltage-mode control archi-
tecture and the voltage-error amplifier permit a type III
compensation scheme to be utilized to achieve maxi-
mum loop bandwidth, up to 20% of the switching fre-
quency. High loop bandwidth provides fast transient
response, resulting in less required output capacitance
and allowing for all-ceramic-capacitor designs.
Ordering Information
PART
TEMP RANGE
PIN-PACKAGE
MAX15038ETG+
-40°C to +85°C
24 Thin QFN-EP*
The MAX15038 provides two three-state logic inputs to
select one of nine preset output voltages. The preset
output voltages allow customers to achieve 1% out-
put-voltage accuracy without using expensive 0.1%
resistors. In addition, the output voltage can be set to
any customer value by either using two external resis-
tors at the feedback with a 0.6V internal reference or
applying an external reference voltage to the REFIN
input. The MAX15038 offers programmable soft-start
time using one capacitor to reduce input inrush current.
+Denotes a lead(Pb)-free/RoHS-compliant package.
*EP = Exposed pad.
Typical Operating Circuit
INPUT
2.9V TO 5.5V
IN
BST
OUTPUT
1.8V, 4A
MAX15038
EN
LX
V
DD
OUT
Applications
PGND
FB
Server Power Supplies
POLs
CTL2
CTL1
FREQ
ASIC/CPU/DSP Core and I/O Voltages
DDR Power Supplies
Base-Station Power Supplies
Telecom and Networking Power Supplies
RAID Control Power Supplies
REFIN
SS
V
DD
COMP
MODE
PWRGD
GND
Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Produꢁts
1
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or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-iꢁ.ꢁom.