Dual, High-Efficiency, Step-Down Controller with Accurate Current Limit

Active: In Production.

The MAX1845 is a dual PWM controller configured for step-down (buck) topologies that provides 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 CS_ inputs can be used with low-side sense resistors to provide accurate current limits or can be connected to LX_, using low-side MOSFETs as current-sense elements.

The on-demand PWM controllers are free running, constant on-time with input feed-forward. This configuration provides ultra-fast transient response, wide input-output differential range, low supply current, and tight load-regulation characteristics. The MAX1845 is simple and easy to compensate.

Single-stage buck conversion allows the MAX1845 to directly step down high-voltage batteries for the highest possible efficiency. Alternatively, two-stage conversion (stepping down the 5V system supply instead of the battery at a higher switching frequency) allows the minimum possible physical size.

The MAX1845 is intended for generating chipset, DRAM, CPU I/O, or other low-voltage supplies down to 1V. For a single-output version, refer to the MAX1844 data sheet. The MAX1845 is available in 28-pin QSOP and 36-pin thin QFN packages.

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