M
High-Efficiency, 10-Pin μMAX, Step-Down
Controllers for Notebooks
8
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Standard Application Circuit
The standard application circuit (Figure 1) generates a
low-voltage output for general-purpose use in notebook
computers (I/O supply, fixed CPU, core supply, and
DRAM supply). This DC-DC converter steps down bat-
tery voltage from 5V to 20V with high efficiency and
accuracy to a fixed voltage of 1.8V/2.5V/adj (MAX1762)
or 3.3V/5.0V/adj (MAX1791). Both the MAX1762 and
MAX1791 can be configured for adjustable output volt-
ages (V
OUT
> 1.25V), using a resistive voltage-divider
from V
OUT
to FB to adjust the output voltage (Figure 2).
Similarly, Figure 3 shows an application circuit for V
OUT
< 1.25V, where a resistive voltage-divider from REF to
FB is used to set the output voltage. Figure 4 shows
how to set the regulator
’
s current limit with an external
sense resistor from CS to GND. Table 1 lists the com-
ponents for each application circuit, and Table 2 con-
tains contact information for the component
manufacturers.
Detailed Description
The MAX1762/MAX1791 step-down controllers are tar-
geted at low-voltage chipsets and RAM power supplies
for notebook and subnotebook computers, with addi-
tional applications in digital cameras, PDAs, and
handy-terminals. Maxim
’
s proprietary Quick-PWM
pulse-width modulator (Figure 5) is specifically
designed for handling fast load steps while maintaining
a relatively constant operating frequency (300kHz) over
a wide range of input voltages (5V to 20V). The
MAX1762 has fixed 1.8V or 2.5V outputs, while the
MAX1791 has fixed 3.3V or 5.0V output voltages. Using
an external resistive divider, V
OUT
can be set between
0.5V and 5.5V on either device. Quick-PWM architec-
ture circumvents the poor load-transient response of
fixed-frequency current-mode PWMs. This type of
design avoids the problems commonly encountered
with conventional constant-on-time and constant-off-
time PWM schemes.
PIN
NAME
FUNCTION
1
VL
+4.65V Linear Regulator Output. Serves as the supply input for the DL gate driver and supplies up to
25mA to external loads. VL can be overdriven using an external 5V supply. Bypass VL to GND with
at least a 1
μ
F ceramic capacitor.
2
REF
2V Reference Voltage Output. Bypass to GND with 0.1
μ
F ceramic capacitor. REF can deliver up to
50
μ
A for external loads.
3
FB
Feedback Input. Connect to an external resistive divider from OUT to GND in adjustable version.
Regulates to 1.25V. FB also serves as Dual Mode select pin. Connect FB to GND for a fixed 1.8V
( M AX 1762) or 3.3V (M AX 1791) outp ut, or to VL for a fi xed 2.5V (M AX 1762) or 5.0V ( M AX 1791) outp ut.
4
OUT
Output Voltage Connection. OUT is used for sensing the output voltage to determine the on-time and
also serves as the feedback input in fixed-output modes.
5
SHDN
Shutdown Input. Connect to a voltage less than V
IL
(<0.6V) to shut down the device. Connect to a
voltage greater than V
IH
(>1.6V) for normal operation.
6
GND
Analog and Power Ground
7
DL
Low-Side Gate Driver Output. DL swings between VL and GND.
8
CS
Current-Sense Connection. For lossless current sensing, connect CS to the junction of the MOSFETs
and inductor. For more accurate current sensing, connect CS to a current-sense resistor from the
source of the low-side switch to GND.
9
DH
High-Side Gate Driver Output. DH swings between VP and GND.
10
VP
Battery Voltage Supply Input. Used for PWM one-shot timing and as the input for the VL regulator
and DH gate drivers.
Pin Description