MOSFET driver

Maxim has introduced the MAX8552 single-phase MOSFET driver IC optimised to complement the MAX8524/MAX8525 CPU core-supply controllers.

Featuring a wide input range of 6 to 24 V, the MAX8552 drives the upper and lower MOSFETs in synchronous-buck, DC-DC converters for CPUs in servers, desktop, and notebook PCs.

With its low 0.1 µA quiescent current over the entire temperature range, the device reduces power dissipation in dense-blade servers and increases battery life in notebook computers.

Logic-controlled shutdown permits sleep or standby modes in power-sensitive applications.

The device drives 3000 pF capacitive loads with 12 ns propagation delay, with rise and fall times of 11 ns. This enables operation up to 2 MHz per phase with the TDFN package and up to 1.2 MHz per phase with the microMAX package.

Adaptive-delay mode and user-programmable break-before-make circuitry prevent shoot-through currents, maximising converter efficiency.

The driver prevents negative transients on the output voltage during shutdown, thus eliminating the need for an additional Schottky diode to protect the CPU from negative voltages.