Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX16491GCS+T
- Part No.:
- MAX16491GCS+T
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Package:
- 19-VFBGA, WLCSP
- Datasheet:
-
MAX16491GCS+T.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG BUCK ADJ 9A 19WLCSP
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:3,741
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Product details
Overview
MAX16491GCS+T from Analog Devices is a fully integrated 9A step-down DC-DC switching regulator operating from 4.5V to 16V input, delivering adjustable 0.6V–5.5V output with Quick-PWM™ architecture for fast transient response in GPU core and DDR memory supplies.
For engineers reviewing the MAX16491GCS+T datasheet, MAX16491GCS+T pinout, MAX16491GCS+T application, or MAX16491GCS+T equivalent, this page delivers verified pin functions, programmable OCP/soft-start/fSW settings, differential remote sensing capability, analog current/temperature telemetry, and WLCSP thermal performance data - all confirmed from Analog Devices' official datasheet Rev 2 (May 2023).
Technical Context
The MAX16491GCS+T implements a pseudo-fixed-frequency, constant-on-time current-mode control with voltage feed-forward and valley-current sensing - enabling stable operation without minimum ESR output capacitors and eliminating input-voltage-dependent frequency drift. Its Quick-PWM™ architecture maintains consistent inductor operating point across 4.5V–16V input range while achieving sub-20µs load-step recovery.
It supports dual-mode operation (CCM/DCM) via pin-strapping, with DCM enabling light-load efficiency up to 94% at 1A. Protection includes cycle-by-cycle positive/negative OCP (6.45A–10.3A source, –8.55A––11.85A sink), ±13% OVP/PWRGD, OTP at 130°C–151°C, and independent UVLO/OVLO on VDDH, VCC, and BST rails.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 4.5V to 16V - supports 5V, 12V intermediate bus architectures with 4.4V UVLO rising threshold and 17.2V OVLO falling threshold. |
| Output Voltage Range | 0.6V to 5.5V - programmable via external resistor divider; internal reference tolerance ±0.5% at 35°C with 0.0175%/°C tempco. |
| Max Output Current | 9A continuous - peak current limit programmable from 6.45A to 10.3A (source) and –8.55A to –11.85A (sink) via RSEL. |
| Switching Frequency | Programmable up to 1MHz - DCM-enabled minimum fSW = 30kHz (audible-noise avoidance), forced minimum = 60kHz. |
| Efficiency | Up to 96% peak, 95.5% at full load, 94% at 1A with DCM enabled - enabled by integrated high-side switch, low-RDS(on) FETs, and external bias support. |
| Thermal Resistance | θJA = 32°C/W (typ), θJC = 1°C/W (max) - achieved via 19-bump WLCSP (2.2mm × 2.8mm) with low thermal resistance package. |
| Reporting Outputs | Analog pin (PGM) configurable for real-time output current (±1.63A tolerance) or junction temperature (0°C–125°C, ±12°C tolerance). |
Pinout & Package
MAX16491GCS+T uses a 19-bump Wafer-Level Chip-Scale Package (WLCSP) measuring 2.2mm × 2.8mm with 0.4mm pitch, optimized for minimal PCB area and low thermal resistance (θJC = 1°C/W max). The bottom-side ball map follows standard A–E row / 1–4 column layout.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | SENSE− | Negative remote sense input or external reference voltage node; enables Kelvin connection to load ground or 0.5V–1.1V external reference. |
| A2 | AGND | Analog/signal ground - must connect to dedicated analog ground plane per layout guidelines to avoid noise coupling into feedback path. |
| A4 | STAT | Open-drain status output - pulled low during OVP, UVP, OTP, or UVLO faults; requires external pull-up for system monitoring. |
| B1 | PGM | Programming/telemetry pin - measures RSEL/CSEL at startup to configure fSW, soft-start, OCP, and reporting mode (current/temp). |
| B2 | SENSE+ | Positive remote sense input - connects directly to VOUT at load for <1% regulation error under varying PCB IR drop. |
| B3 | OE | Output enable input - 0.98V–1.3V rising threshold; toggling clears fault latch; series 20kΩ resistor required for 1.8V logic drive. |
| B4 | VCC | 1.71V–1.89V analog/digital supply - powers control circuitry; requires ≥1µF ceramic bypass close to pin. |
| C1–C3 | VDDH | Main power input (4.5V–16V) - three parallel pins reduce IR drop and improve high-frequency decoupling; HF caps must be ≤60 mils away. |
| C4 | BST | Bootstrap supply - connects to VX via 0.47µF ceramic capacitor to enable high-side gate drive above VDDH rail. |
| D1–D4 | VX | Switching node - connects to inductor's switch-side terminal; four pins minimize parasitic inductance and thermal stress during 9A switching. |
| E1–E4 | GND | Power ground return - four dedicated GND balls provide low-impedance path for 9A output current and minimize ground bounce. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Differential remote sensing with open-circuit detection | SENSE+/SENSE− inputs reject PCB plane IR drop; open-circuit detection prevents regulation loss if sense lines disconnect. |
| Programmable bidirectional overcurrent protection | Independent positive (source) and negative (sink) OCP thresholds set via RSEL; enables robust handling of dynamic loads like DDR termination. |
| Quick-PWM™ fast transient architecture | Sub-20µs load-step recovery (10%–90%) without frequency modulation - maintains stable loop gain across input/output variations. |
| Configurable analog telemetry output | PGM pin reports either output current (0–9A linear range) or die temperature (0°C–125°C), enabling real-time health monitoring without ADC overhead. |
| Footprint compatibility with higher-current variants | Same 19-bump WLCSP footprint as VT2491 (15A), VT2492 (25A), and MAX16425 (25A) - allows scalable PoL design with no PCB re-spin. |
Applications
| GPU Core Supply | DDR Memory VDDQ/VPP/VTT |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Powering high-performance GPU cores requiring tight voltage regulation (±1%), fast load transients (20A/µs), and thermal-aware throttling. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary point-of-load regulator delivering up to 9A at 0.6V–1.2V with differential remote sensing and analog temperature telemetry. Use Value: Maintains GPU stability under burst workloads via 10µs-scale transient response and OTP-triggered graceful shutdown before thermal damage. |
Use Scenario: Supplying DDR4/DDR5 memory rails including VDDQ (1.2V), VPP (2.5V), and VTT (0.6V) with simultaneous sourcing/sinking capability. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-mode (CCM/DCM) buck converter supporting both steady-state delivery and active termination sinking during memory bus transitions. Use Value: Eliminates need for separate sink regulators by supporting ±11.85A bidirectional OCP - critical for VTT termination accuracy and signal integrity. |
| Servers / µServers | I/O and Chipset Supplies |
Use Scenario: High-density server boards where space, thermal management, and multi-rail sequencing are critical constraints. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Compact 2.2mm × 2.8mm PoL regulator with programmable soft-start timing and OE-controlled sequencing for multi-phase power domains. Use Value: Enables early PCB definition via footprint compatibility with 15A/25A variants and reduces BOM count through single-part scalability. |
Use Scenario: Powering PCIe controllers, SATA PHYs, and chipset I/O buffers requiring clean, low-noise 1.8V/3.3V rails with fast line/load regulation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-efficiency buck converter with <0.5% load regulation and <1% peak-to-peak output ripple (DCM disabled). Use Value: Ensures signal integrity in high-speed interfaces by minimizing supply-induced jitter via low-noise design and ceramic-capacitor-only operation. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar step-down regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX16425GCS+T | 25A rated, same 19-bump WLCSP footprint, higher RDS(on), identical programming interface and telemetry features. | Targeted at higher-current CPU core or AI accelerator rails; not suitable for space-constrained 9A designs due to higher thermal density. | Select MAX16425GCS+T only when >15A output is required and board layout accommodates higher power dissipation. |
| VT2491GCS-15 | 15A rating, pin-compatible WLCSP, fixed 600kHz fSW, no analog telemetry, simplified OCP programming. | Optimized for cost-sensitive server I/O rails where current monitoring and fine-grained OCP tuning are unnecessary. | Choose VT2491GCS-15 for non-telemetry applications needing faster time-to-market with reduced configuration complexity. |
Compared with MAX16425GCS+T and VT2491GCS-15, the MAX16491GCS+T uniquely balances 9A capability, analog telemetry, and full programmability in the smallest WLCSP footprint - making it optimal for thermally constrained GPU and DDR PoL designs where visibility into current/temperature is essential.
Availability
MAX16491GCS+T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for GPU core supply, DDR memory VDDQ/VPP/VTT, and server µServer PoL applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for MAX16491GCS+T includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
Analog Devices, Inc. is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, serving precision instrumentation, communications, and power management markets.
The MAX16491GCS+T belongs to Analog Devices' high-current, high-efficiency PoL regulator product line - engineered specifically for demanding compute and memory subsystems in servers, AI accelerators, and graphics platforms.
FAQ
What is the maximum supported output current for MAX16491GCS+T?
The MAX16491GCS+T delivers up to 9A continuous output current with thermal derating based on PCB layout and airflow. Its peak current limit is programmable between 6.45A and 10.3A (source) and –8.55A to –11.85A (sink), enabling robust operation under dynamic DDR termination loads. The device maintains regulation up to 9A at 125°C junction temperature with proper thermal design using its 2.2mm × 2.8mm WLCSP package.
How does MAX16491GCS+T achieve fast transient response without compromising stability?
The MAX16491GCS+T uses Analog Devices' proprietary Quick-PWM™ architecture - a pseudo-fixed-frequency, constant-on-time current-mode controller with voltage feed-forward and valley-current sensing. This eliminates reliance on output capacitor ESR for stability and achieves <20µs load-step recovery while maintaining consistent switching frequency across 4.5V–16V input range. The architecture avoids both the poor transient timing of fixed-frequency PWM and audible noise issues of conventional PFM schemes.
Can MAX16491GCS+T monitor output current or temperature in real time?
Yes - the PGM pin on MAX16491GCS+T is configurable as an analog output reporting either output current (0–9A linear range, ±1.63A tolerance) or junction temperature (0°C–125°C, ±12°C tolerance). This telemetry is enabled via programming resistor/capacitor selection at startup and requires no external ADC, simplifying health monitoring in GPU and server applications where thermal and load awareness is critical.
What protection features are integrated into MAX16491GCS+T?
MAX16491GCS+T integrates comprehensive protection: cycle-by-cycle positive/negative OCP (programmable thresholds), output overvoltage/undervoltage protection (±13%/±9% thresholds), overtemperature protection (130°C–151°C trip), and input UVLO/OVLO on VDDH, VCC, and BST rails. Faults pull the open-drain STAT pin low; toggling OE or cycling VCC clears latched faults such as OVP or OTP events.
Is MAX16491GCS+T compatible with existing PCB footprints for higher-current regulators?
Yes - MAX16491GCS+T shares the identical 19-bump WLCSP (2.2mm × 2.8mm) footprint with VT2491 (15A), VT2492 (25A), and MAX16425 (25A). This enables scalable PoL design: engineers can prototype with MAX16491GCS+T for 9A validation and later upgrade to higher-current variants without PCB re-spin, reducing development time and NRE costs in server and AI hardware programs.
MAX16491GCS+T Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 19-VFBGA, WLCSP
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Function:
- Step-Down
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Topology:
- Buck
- Output Type:
- Adjustable
- Number of Outputs:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Min):
- 4.5V
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 16V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 0.6V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- 5.5V
- Current - Output:
- 9A
- Frequency - Switching:
- Up to 1MHz
- Synchronous Rectifier:
- No
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 125°C (TJ)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 19-WLCSP (2.2x2.78)
MAX16491GCS+T FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX16491GCS+T through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX16491GCS+T on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for MAX16491GCS+T reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX16491GCS+T are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX16491GCS+T is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX16491GCS+T?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX16491GCS+T transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX16491GCS+T?
MAX16491GCS+T orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX16491GCS+T order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for MAX16491GCS+T?
For technical support, including MAX16491GCS+T datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX16491GCS+T requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX16491GCS+T is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX16491GCS+T products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that MAX16491GCS+T meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX16491GCS+T?
All MAX16491GCS+T units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX16491GCS+T, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The MAX16491GCS+T part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX16491GCS+T:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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