Maxim Adds Boost Converters and an LDO to its Essential Analog Portfolio

The MAX17227A, MAX17291 and the MAX38911 from Maxim allow designers to avoid tradeoffs between functionality and battery life. The units are claimed to be 50% smaller than competitive devices.

Image courtesy of Maxim

 

As per Vickram Vathulya, vice president, Core Products Group at Maxim Integrated, “The three new Efficient Power ICs from Maxim’s Essential Analog portfolio offer designers a path to simultaneously improve efficiency and reduce solution size.” He goes on to say that, “For industrial, consumer and healthcare operations, Maxim sets the bar for extending battery life by offering the lowest quiescent power in each category.” 

 

How do These ICs Add to the Essential Analog Portfolio?

As we described in a previous article, Maxim’s essential analog ICs represent a wide-ranging “toolkit” containing a variety of devices including sensors, data converters, signal chain amplifiers and power ICs targeted at low-power analog circuitry.  

And, as described by Colin Barnden, principal analyst, Semicast Research, “These Essential Analog products by Maxim Integrated enable manufacturers to make their operations and supply chains more reliable, helping to ensure quality to their customers and savings to their bottom line.”  

With their industry leading low quiescent current and versatility, the three new power ICs will be a useful addition to any engineer’s design arsenal.

 

The MAX17227A

The MAX17227A is a boost converter that draws 350nA in quiescent mode, and with Maxim defining units that draw less than 1µA in that state as nanoPower devices, the MAX17227A qualifies.

The unit accepts inputs over a 0.4 to 5.5 volt range and supplies outs from 2.3 to 5.2 volts in 100mV steps, with 5.4 and 5.5 outputs also available. It handles up to 2A switch current, which Maxim claims to be twice that of the competition.

Peak efficiency is spec’d at 96%. At 500 μA, efficiency is 90% or better

 

The MAX17291

The MAX17291 is also a boost converter. Input range is from 1.8 to 5.5 volts with an output range of 5.5 to 20 volts, set by external resistors. The peak inductor current limit is one amp. The unit sports 91% peak efficiency.

The unit switches at 1.0 MHz and operates in continuous conduction mode (CCM). Shutdown current is 0.05 uA, disconnecting the input from output.

 

The Max38911

The MAX38911 is an LDO that features a 1.7 to 5.5 volt input supply range. The output is preconfigured to within 0.8 to 5.0 volts. Maximum output current is 500 mA. Output noise is 11μVRMS from 10Hz to 100kHz.

The input inrush current is limited via programming. There is also protection from output overloads, reverse current and thermal overload. 

 

Physical Considerations 

The three devices operates over a -40 to +125℃ temperature range

All three units are available in 8-Pin TDFN package with dimensions of 2 x 2 mm

They can also be sourced in 6-Bump WLP packages. Here each device sports different dimensions:

• MAX17227A: 1.58 x 0.89
• MAX17291: 1.27 x 0.87 mm
• MAX38911: 1.42 X 0.83 mm

 

Getting to Market Faster

There are Evaluation Kits for all three models. Information can be found at 

• MAX17227A: The MAX17227A WLP Evaluation Kit
• MAX17291:  The WLPMAX17291 WLP Evaluation Kit
• MAX38911: The MAX38911 WLP Evaluation Kit