New Industry Products

Maxim Announces 300mA Linear Regulators With Voltage Tracker & Load-Dump Protection For Automotive Applications

April 30, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX15008/MAX15010 highly integrated, 300mA automotive linear regulators with a voltage tracker and load-dump protection. Designed to withstand harsh operating conditions, these low-dropout (LDO) regulators integrate robust protection circuitry; operate over a wide, 5 to 40V supply-voltage range; and are able to withstand load-dump transients up to 45V.

To enable precise ratiometric tracking in automotive applications, the MAX15008/MAX15010 offer a tracked output voltage that is capable of delivering up to 50mA to a remote sensor. The voltage tracker provides tracking accuracy within ±3mV, as well as battery-reversal and short-circuit protection. The integration of robust protection features and voltage tracking makes these linear regulators ideal for automotive sensor applications, such as instrument clusters, climate control, and power-supply circuits.

The MAX15008/MAX15010 offer independent enable controls for the linear regulator, voltage tracker, and overvoltage protector (MAX15008 only) to optimize performance. Offering low power consumption, these linear regulators consume only 50µA of quiescent current in a stand-alone configuration, and 20µA in shutdown mode. Well suited for always-on circuits, these devices provide enable and hold inputs for key-off conditions. Additionally, the MAX15008 integrates an overvoltage-protection (OVP) controller that protects downstream circuits from high-voltage load dump, thus allowing the use of lower cost dc-dc converters.

The MAX15008/MAX15010 are available in a thermally enhanced, 5 x 5mm, 32-pin TQFN package, and are fully specified over the -40 to +125°C automotive temperature range. Pricing starts at $1.45 (1000-up, FOB USA).