General Description

The MAX746 is a high-efficiency, high-current, step-down DC-DC power-supply controller that drives external N-channel FETs. It provides 93% to 96% efficiency from a 6V supply voltage with load currents ranging from 50mA up to 3A. It uses a pulse-width-modulating (PWM) current-mode control scheme to provide precise output regulation and low output noise. The MAX746s 4V to 15V input voltage range, fixed 5V/adjustable (Dual-ModeTM) output, and adjustable current limit make this device ideal for a wide range of applications.

High efficiency is maintained with light loads due to a proprietary automatic pulse-skipping control (Idle-ModeTM) scheme that minimizes switching losses by reducing the switching frequency at light loads. The low 950μA quiescent current and ultra-low 1.4μA shutdown current further extend battery life.

Features

? 93% to 96% Efficiency for 50mA to 3A

?? Output Currents

? 4V to 15V Input Voltage Range

? Low 950μA Supply Current

? 1.4μA Shutdown Current

? Drives External N-Channel FETs

? Fixed-Frequency Current-Mode PWM (Heavy Loads)

? Idle-Mode PFM (Light Loads)

? Cycle-by-Cycle Current Limiting

? 2V ±1.5% Accurate Reference Output

? Adjustable Soft-Start

? Undervoltage Lockout

? Precision Comparator for Power-Fail or

?? Low-Battery Warning

Applications

?? 5V-to-3.3V Green PC Applications

?? Notebook/Laptop Computers

?? Personal Digital Assistants

?? Battery-Operated Equipment

?? Cellular Phones