Buck converter boosts current and extends battery life for USB Type-C devices

Designed for multi-cell, USB Type-C products that need higher current, dual input, and I²C support, the 24V, 500mA, low quiescent current (Iq) buck converter from Maxim Integrated Products, has a 20µA quiescent current that extends battery life by reducing idle power consumption. USB Type-C products must generate an always-on 3.3V rail to detect USB insertions. Products using the power delivery (PD) voltage range (5.0 to 20V) can generate an always-on (1.8V, 3.3V or 5.0V) digital supply rail for the port controller using the step-down converter.

To simplify the system design, the dual input ideal diode ORing circuit allows the chip to power from the external USB source if the battery is empty. Multi-cell battery-operated devices, such as ultrabooks, laptops, tablets, drones, and home automation appliances, can evolve to Type-C with PD using the power supply. The converter has a wide input voltage range, low quiescent current, higher current load, dual input, and I²C for flexibility and programmability, adds the company. A default power mode is for customers do not want to use the I²C bus. According to the company, the robust IC has short-circuit and thermal protection, 8ms internal soft-start to minimise in-rush current, proven current-mode control architecture, and up to 26V input voltage standoff.