19-1313; Rev 1; 8/05
High-Speed Step-Down Controller with
Synchronous Rectification for CPU Power
General Description
____________________________Features
♦ Better than ±±1 ꢀOtꢁOt ꢂAAOraAc ꢀꢃer
The MAX1638 is an ultra-high-performance, step-down
DC-DC controller for CPU power in high-end computer
systems. Designed for demanding applications in which
output voltage precision and good transient response are
critical for proper operation, it delivers over 35A from 1.3V
to 3.5V with 1ꢀ total accuracy from a ꢁ5V 1ꢂꢀ supply.
Excellent dynamic response corrects output transients
caused by the latest dynamically clocked CPUs. This
controller achieves over 9ꢂꢀ efficiency by using synchro-
nous rectification. Flying-capacitor bootstrap circuitry
drives inexpensive, external N-channel MOSFETs.
Line and Load
♦ Greater than 901 EffiAienAc Using N-Channel
MꢀSFETs
♦ Pin-SeleAted High SwitAhing FreqOenAc (300kHz,
600kHz, or ±MHz)
♦ ꢀꢃer 35ꢂ ꢀOtꢁOt COrrent
♦ Digitallc Programmable ꢀOtꢁOt from ±.3V to 3.5V
♦ COrrent-Mode Control for Fast Transient
Resꢁonse and CcAle-bc-CcAle COrrent-Limit
ProteAtion
The switching frequency is pin-selectable for 3ꢂꢂkHz,
6ꢂꢂkHz, or 1MHz. High switching frequencies allow the
use of a small surface-mount inductor and decrease out-
put filter capacitor requirements, reducing board area
and system cost.
♦ Short-CirAOit ProteAtion with FoldbaAk COrrent
Limiting
♦ GlitAh-CatAher CirAOit for Fast Load-Transient
Resꢁonse
The MAX1638 is available in 24-pin SSOP and QSOP
(future package) packages, and offers additional fea-
tures such as a digitally programmable output;
adjustable transient response; and selectable ꢂ.5ꢀ, 1ꢀ,
or 2ꢀ AC load regulation. Fast recovery from load tran-
sients is ensured by a GlitchCatcher™ current-boost cir-
cuit that eliminates delays caused by the buck inductor.
Output overvoltage protection is enforced by a crowbar
circuit that turns on the low-side MOSFET with 1ꢂꢂꢀ
duty factor when the output is 2ꢂꢂmV above the normal
regulation point. Other features include internal digital
soft-start, a power-good output, and a 3.5V 1ꢀ refer-
ence output.
♦ Crowbar ꢀꢃerꢃoltage ProteAtion
♦ Power-Good (PWRꢀK) ꢀOtꢁOt
♦ Digital Soft-Start
♦ High-COrrent (2ꢂ) Driꢃe ꢀOtꢁOts
♦ Comꢁlies with Intel VRM 8.2 SꢁeAifiAation
Typical Operating Circuit
INPUT
+5V
V
DD
V
CC
AGND
BST
________________________Applications
Pentium Pro™, Pentium II™, PowerPC™, Alpha™,
and K6™ Systems
TO V
DD
MAX1638
DH
LX
Workstations
OUTPUT
1.3V TO 4.5V
Desktop Computers
LAN Servers
GTL Bus Termination
PWROK
D0
D1
D2
D3
D4
DL
PGND
Ordering Information
PꢂRT
MAX1638EAG
TEMP RꢂNGE
-4ꢂ°C to ꢁ85°C
-4ꢂ°C to ꢁ85°C
PIN-PꢂCKꢂGE
24 SSOP
REF
LG
CSH
CSL
MAX1638EAGꢁ
24 QSOP
FREQ
CC1
CC2
ꢁDenotes lead-free package.
FB
Pin Configuration appears at end of data sheet.
Pentium Pro and Pentium II are trademarks of Intel Corp.
PowerPC is a trademark of IBM Corp.
Alpha is a trademark of Digital Equipment Corp.
K6 is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices.
GlitchCatcher is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products.
________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products
±
For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.