Maxim Announces Photoflash Capacitor Chargers With Output Short- & Open-Circuit Protection
Maxim Integrated Products introduced the MAX8685 series of xenon photoflash capacitor chargers with an integrated switching FET, IGBT driver, and output short- and open-circuit protection.
The MAX8685F is said to have the fastest charge time of the series and integrates a voltage monitor. The MAX8685C/MAX8685D are also said to be the industry’s smallest xenon photoflash capacitor chargers that include an integrated switching FET and IGBT driver. Due to fast charge time and small size, the various versions of the MAX8685 are suitable for compact and single-lens reflex (SLR) digital still cameras (DSCs), film cameras, cell phone cameras, web cameras, or personal media players.
Having a programmable current limit of up to 2.6A, the MAX8685F can charge a 100µF capacitor to 300V in 2s, which is said to be 20% faster than similar devices. Its resistor-programmable current limit allows for one version of the part to be used across a platform requiring various current-limit settings. The MAX8685F provides a scaled replica of the output voltage to a microprocessor to assist in implementing red-eye reduction. An additional input voltage monitoring feature provides added flexibility by automatically reducing the current limit at low battery voltages for the fastest charge rate under any battery conditions.
The company claims that other advantages of the MAX8685 include an autorefresh mode, no inrush current, short-circuit protection, open-capacitor protection, and a robust architecture that allows the use of low-cost transformers. It is stated that this high level of integration makes the MAX8685 devices a series of very versatile, low-solution-cost photoflash chargers.
The MAX8685F is available in a 3 x 3mm, 14-pin TDFN package. The MAX8685C and MAX8685D, which do not include a voltage monitor or input-voltage monitoring, are available in a 2mm x 3mm, 8-pin TDFN package. All versions of the MAX8685 are screened for the extended industrial temperature range (-40 to +85°C).
Prices start at $1.50 (1000-up, FOB USA).
