Digital Power-Supply Controller/Monitor with PMBus Interface

Active: In Production.

The MAX8688 fully integrated digital power-supply controller and monitor IC works with any existing POL (point-of-load) power supply to provide complete digital programmability. By interfacing to the reference input, feedback node, and output enable, the MAX8688 takes control of the POL to provide functions such as perfect tracking, sequencing, margining, and dynamic adjustment of the output voltage.

The MAX8688 offers an accurate 12-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) accompanied with two differential amplifiers for accurately monitoring both voltage and current. An integrated 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is also available to margin power supplies as well as dynamically adjust the output voltage with 0.2% accuracy over temperature using this closed-loop system. An internal temperature sensor provides an additional level of system monitoring.

The user-programmable registers provide flexible and accurate control of time events such as a delay time and transition period, monitoring for overvoltage and undervoltage, overcurrent, reverse-current, overtemperature fault and warning handling. The closed-loop operation is also programmable to make sure the MAX8688 works with any existing POL to provide superior regulation accuracy and accurate margining.

The MAX8688 operates using a PMBus™-compliant communication protocol. The device is programmed using this protocol or simply with the use of a free graphic-user interface (GUI) available from the Maxim website that significantly reduces development time. Once the configuration is complete, the results can be saved into an EEPROM or loaded onto the part through the PMBus at power-up. This allows remote configuration of any POL using the MAX8688, replacing expensive recalls or field service. Module current sharing is also supported, since accurate current measurement and fine resolution voltage control are available. The MAX8688 can be programmed with up to 127 distinct addresses to support large systems. The MAX8688 is offered in a space-saving, 24-pin, lead-free 4mm x 4mm TQFN package.

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