MAX1541

The MAX1540A/MAX1541 dual pulse-width modulation (PWM) controllers provide the high efficiency, excellent transient response, and high DC-output accuracy necessary for stepping down high-voltage batteries to generate low-voltage chipset and RAM power supplies in notebook computers.

The Maxim proprietary Quick-PWM™ controllers are free running, constant on-time with input feed forward. This configuration provides ultra-fast transient response, wide input-output (I/O) differential range, low supply current, and tight load-regulation characteristics. The controllers can accurately sense the inductor current across an external current-sense resistor in series with the output to ensure reliable overload and inductor saturation protection. Alternatively, the controllers can use the synchronous rectifier itself or lossless inductor current-sensing methods to provide overload protection with lower power dissipation.

For a single step-down PWM controller with inductor-saturation protection, external-reference input voltage, and dynamically selectable output voltages, refer to the MAX1992/MAX1993 data sheet.

Applications

• 0.7V to 5.5V Supply Rails
• Active Termination Buses (MAX1541)
• Core/IO Supplies as Low as 0.7V
• CPU/Chipset/GPU with Dynamic Voltage Cores
• DDR Memory Termination (MAX1541)
• Notebook Computers
• Supplies (MAX1541)