MAX8668ETEX+ Datasheet/PDFMAX8668ETEX+ Application Field and Working Principle
Introduction to PMIC – Voltage Regulators – Linear + Switching
Power management integrated circuits (PMICs) are a classification of integrated circuits that are used to manage the power consumption of a device, by regulating voltage across the device. Voltage regulators–linear+switching are some of the most important PMICs, as they dictate the power supply and distribution of electricity throughout a device.
MAX8668ETEX+
The MAX8668ETEX+ is a quad-output, dual-phase power management IC (PMIC) designed for microprocessors and system-on-chip (SoC) applications in mobile devices such as tablets and notebooks. It features four voltage regulators, each with 2-phase and 3-phase operation, enabling up to 6-phase output configurations. The MAX8668ETEX+ is an extension of the MAX8668ETE/EX+ family and includes a dedicated buck (step-down) converter for powering microprocessors cores, along with 3 buck/boost (step-up/down) converters for powering peripherals.
Employment Field of MAX8668ETEX+
The MAX8668ETEX+ PMIC is designed specifically for mobile applications, such as tablets, notebooks, and other battery-powered devices. It\'s designed with an efficient low-dropout (LDO) and low-noise voltage regulator module that supports multiple output voltages and can provide up to 1600mA of current. The PMIC also includes a unique multiple channel architecture that can support up to six-phase operation of the output voltages. This ensures that the voltage regulators can continuously provide low-noise, stable, power efficient output without having to resort to additional external components.
Working Principle of MAX8668ETEX+
The MAX8668ETEX+ utilizes dual-phase (two PWM outputs) and/or three-phase (three PWM outputs) control architectures, allowing it to handle the varying, simultaneous power requirements of microprocessors and peripherals in mobile devices. The dual-phase and three-phase architecture makes the most of the available power and reduces the total amount of noise and ripple generated. The IC also features an adaptive dynamic voltage scaling (AVS) feature, which detects the actual core voltage of the processor and adjusts the regulator settings automatically to ensure that the processor is always operating efficiently.
The MAX8668ETEX+ has two separate input voltage channels—which are selectable—to support 3.2V to 6 V (max) or 3.2V to 4.2V (max). The MAX8668ETEX+ supports multiple output voltages including 0.8V, 1.2V, 1.8V, 2V, 2.5V, and 3.3V. The output voltage is regulated via a low dropout (LDO) regulator, which ensures high efficiency and low noise.
Conclusion
The MAX8668ETEX+ is a versatile and feature-rich PMIC for mobile device applications. It can support multiple power requirements, including high-current outputs, with its dual- and three-phase output control architectures and AVS feature. The MAX8668ETEX+ is designed such that it will maintain operation of the core processor at the most efficient voltage while still providing the necessary power to the peripherals, resulting in longer battery life and improved performance.