Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX16936SATEB/V+T

Overview

MAX16936SATEB/V+T from Maxim Integrated is a 2.5A current-mode step-down DC-DC converter with integrated high-side and low-side MOSFETs, designed for automotive power rails requiring 3.5V–36V input, 5V/3.3V fixed or 1V–10V adjustable output, 28µA no-load quiescent current, and AEC-Q100 qualification. It supports forced-PWM (FPWM) and skip-mode operation via FSYNC control and delivers stable regulation during cold-crank transients up to 98% duty cycle.

For engineers reviewing the MAX16936SATEB/V+T datasheet, MAX16936SATEB/V+T pinout, MAX16936SATEB/V+T application, or MAX16936SATEB/V+T equivalent, key selection criteria include its 220kHz–2.2MHz resistor-programmable switching frequency, 180° out-of-phase SYNCOUT for cascaded supplies, spread-spectrum EMI reduction, 42V load-dump tolerance, and thermal shutdown with automatic recovery - all validated for -40°C to +125°C automotive operation.

Technical Context

The MAX16936SATEB/V+T implements current-mode control with cycle-by-cycle current limiting and automatic LX slew-rate adjustment (4ns at >1.1MHz, 8ns at <1.1MHz) to balance EMI and efficiency. Its dual supply inputs (SUP and SUPSW) enable robust cold-crank operation down to 3.5V while maintaining regulation via 98% max duty cycle.

It integrates a 5V BIAS linear regulator (±2% accuracy, 4.7–5.4V output), power-good (PGOOD) monitoring with 92–95% VFB thresholds, and overvoltage protection (107% for MAX16936). The FSYNC pin selects between skip mode (22–400mA skip threshold) and FPWM mode, and SYNCOUT provides open-drain 180° out-of-phase clock output for multi-phase synchronization.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX16936SATEB/V+T is housed in a 16-pin TSSOP-EP package with exposed pad for thermal dissipation. Pin functions are electrically identical to the TQFN variant but mapped to TSSOP pinout per Maxim's official pin description table.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar step-down converter applications.

Compared with MAX16938SAUE/V+T and LM61480QRNXTQ1, the MAX16936SATEB/V+T uniquely combines AEC-Q100 qualification, 180° SYNCOUT for multi-phase scaling, factory spread-spectrum EMI reduction, and dual-supply architecture for cold-crank resilience - making it optimal for space-constrained, emission-sensitive automotive POL designs.

Availability

MAX16936SATEB/V+T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive infotainment, ADAS camera modules, and industrial telematics requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and voltage transients.

Supply support for MAX16936SATEB/V+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

Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices, designs high-performance analog and mixed-signal ICs for automotive, industrial, and communications markets.

The MAX16936/MAX16938 product line targets automotive power conversion with emphasis on cold-crank resilience, low IQ, AEC-Q100 compliance, and EMI-controlled switching - specifically for infotainment, ADAS, and body electronics.

FAQ

What is the maximum duty cycle supported by the MAX16936SATEB/V+T, and why is it important?

The MAX16936SATEB/V+T supports a maximum duty cycle of 98%, enabling regulation during severe undervoltage transients such as automotive cold-crank events where input voltage drops to 3.5V. This capability ensures uninterrupted power to downstream circuits like microcontrollers and sensors when battery voltage sags below nominal levels - a critical requirement for AEC-Q100-compliant automotive systems.

How does the FSYNC pin configure operating mode in the MAX16936SATEB/V+T?

The FSYNC pin on the MAX16936SATEB/V+T selects between skip mode and forced-PWM (FPWM) mode: connecting FSYNC to AGND enables skip mode for light-load efficiency, while connecting it to BIAS or an external clock enables FPWM for constant-frequency operation. This direct hardware control eliminates software overhead and ensures deterministic EMI behavior - essential for RF-sensitive applications like navigation head units.

Does the MAX16936SATEB/V+T require an external Schottky diode, and if so, why?

Yes, the MAX16936SATEB/V+T requires an external Schottky diode connected between LX and PGND. Although it integrates high-side and low-side MOSFETs, the diode supports continuous conduction mode (CCM) and improves efficiency at light loads and high duty cycles - especially during cold-crank conditions where the internal low-side FET alone cannot sustain regulation without added conduction loss.

What is the purpose of the SYNCOUT pin on the MAX16936SATEB/V+T, and how is it used?

The SYNCOUT pin on the MAX16936SATEB/V+T provides an open-drain 180° out-of-phase clock signal relative to the internal oscillator. It is used to synchronize multiple MAX16936/MAX16938 devices in interleaved configurations, reducing input/output ripple current and enabling higher total output power without increasing per-converter stress - commonly applied in multi-rail automotive ECUs.

Is the MAX16936SATEB/V+T compatible with spread-spectrum EMI reduction, and how is it enabled?

Yes, the MAX16936SATEB/V+T supports spread-spectrum frequency modulation (±6% triangular dither) to reduce peak EMI emissions. This feature is factory-enabled in the "S" version (e.g., MAX16936SATEB/V+T); no external configuration is needed. When synchronized to an external clock, spread-spectrum is automatically disabled, but any modulation present on the external clock passes through SYNCOUT.