Reference Design for the MAX5073 Dual Buck Converter Operating at a Switching Frequency of 2MHz
Abstract: The MAX5073 is a dual converter capable of operating as a buck or boost converter. As a dual buck converter, this device can deliver up to 2A and 1A of output current. The reference design focuses on the MAX5073 operating as a buck converter with a switching frequency of 2MHz, which allows the use of smaller passive components and keeps it out of the AM band for automotive applications.
This article shows a detailed reference design using the MAX5073 as a dual buck converter with a switching frequency of 2MHz. This design can be used in applications that are space limited, because the higher switching frequency allows smaller passive components to be used on the board. In addition, this power solution can be used (in conjunction with load-dump protection) for automotive applications that require a switching frequency outside of the AM radio band, such as those found in automotive instrument clusters and infotainment systems.
Key specifications for this reference design are listed below, along with a detailed schematic (Figure 1) and the bill of materials (Table 1) needed for this application.
Specifications
Input Voltage: 5.5V to 16V
Converter 1 Output Voltage = 3.3V/2A (max)
Converter 2 Output Voltage = 2.5V/1A (max)
Switching Frequency (fSW) of Each Converter = 2MHz
Actual measurements taken from the board showing the efficiency performance are shown in Tables 2 and 3.
Table 2. Efficiency Data for VOUT2 Disabled
fSW = 2MHz, LOUT = 4.7µH, COUT = 22µF/6.3V (ceramic)
VIN (V)
IIN (A)
VOUT1 (V)
IOUT1 (A)
Efficiency (%)
14.007
0.065732
3.3371
0.1018
36.8973371
14.010
0.183690
3.3339
0.5122
66.3542117
14.005
0.267750
3.3321
0.8032
71.3722082
14.007
0.329490
3.3309
1.0112
72.9812485
14.005
0.449290
3.3298
1.4007
74.1230723
14.002
0.584520
3.3281
1.8203
74.0201375
14.001
0.650260
3.3267
2.0150
73.6279304
Table 3. Efficiency Data for VOUT1 Disabled
fSW = 2MHz, LOUT = 4.7µH, COUT = 22µF/6.3V (ceramic)
VIN (V)
IIN (A)
VOUT2 (V)
IOUT2 (A)
Efficiency (%)
14.008
0.044533
2.5350
0.1075
43.6845979
14.008
0.067144
2.5337
0.2049
55.1967881
14.003
0.087638
2.5337
0.3010
62.1452787
14.004
0.109076
2.5337
0.4003
66.3986847
14.005
0.133680
2.5337
0.5122
69.3178710
14.005
0.155350
2.5338
0.6097
71.0058542
14.008
0.255976
2.5334
1.0001
70.6597037
In terms of stability, bode plots for each output are shown in Figures 2 and 3, detailing the gain and phase of each output.
Figure 2. Bode plot for a VOUTPUT of 3.3V/1.4A.
Figure 3. Bode plot for a VOUTPUT of 2.5V/0.6A.
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