Step down converters deliver low quiescent current

This enables minimal external components that can lead up to 50% savings in board space making them suitable products for always-on automotive applications.

Customers expect always-on applications to bring them experiences richer and more compelling than ever before. However, designers are challenged with having to balance delivering advanced features with meeting size constraints, power-saving features, and high efficiency.

The MAX20075 and MAX20076 in peak current mode draw the industry's lowest I_Q - just 3.5µA in the low power operating mode, which is key to meeting the stringent OEM I_Q consumption requirements of 100µA per module. The converters enable low noise operation via pin-controlled spread spectrum and fixed 2.1Mhz operation to meet CISPR 25 Class 5 EMI compliance.

Furthermore, added advantage of the 2.1Mhz operation and internal compensation is that it lowers the solution size and the Bill of Materials (BoM) compared to a non-synchronous device that operates in the AM band. The MAX20075 and MAX20076 are available with a low minimum on-time mode operation, which allows the converters to support large input-to-output conversion ratios.

For example, V_batt input to V_out of <3V at 2.1Mhz; this translates to not having to use a secondary supply, which reduces overall BOM cost by $0.30 to incorporate new functions into the design for greater flexibility. The MAX20075 and MAX20076 meet AEC-Q100, are available in a 3x3mm TDFN package, and operate over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.

Key advantages

• Lowest quiescent current: Offers 3.5µA I_Q compared to traditional solutions that offer 15-30µA I_Q; flexibility for more budget dispersed throughout the system; ability to support faster start-up times, consume lower power, and feature low minimum on-time operation mode
• Highest peak efficiency: Delivers highest peak efficiency of 91% compared to competitive solutions
• Ultra-small solution size: 12-pin TDFN and side-wettable TDFN packages (3x3mm) with integrated compensation enables very few external components for 50% savings in board space
• EMI mitigation: Spread spectrum control and internally fixed at 2.1Mhz assist with CISPR25 Class 5 EMI compliance; supports the increasing need for more processing power inADAS applications

"Advancements in automotive technology have led to an increase in complex ECUs per vehicle. Adding more electrical components to a vehicle leads to higher amounts of parasitic battery drain, which has made reducing quiescent current a huge trend in the automotive world," said Zong Zhen, Automotive Electronics and Semiconductor Senior Analyst for IHS Markit. "The MAX20075 and MAX20076 step-down converters offer another viable option to car manufacturers."

"By offering the lowest I_Q in the market, the pin-compatible MAX20075 and MAX20076 presents an overall benefit to the system. This translates to higher peak efficiency and faster start-up time," said Chintan Parikh, Executive Business Manager, Automotive, Maxim Integrated.

"The 3.5µA I_Q offered with these buck converters are key to meeting stringent OEM quiescent current consumption requirements, which are typically as low as 100µA per module. This enables engineers to build in more processing power for more functionality and other advanced features."