Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX16956AUBF/V+T

Overview

The MAX16956AUBF/V+T from Analog Devices is a 36V, 300mA synchronous buck converter with integrated high-side and low-side MOSFETs, fixed 2.1MHz switching frequency, 1.1µA quiescent current in skip mode, AEC-Q100 qualification, and spread-spectrum EMI reduction - designed for automotive cold-crank operation in body ECUs and point-of-load systems.

For engineers reviewing the MAX16956AUBF/V+T datasheet, MAX16956AUBF/V+T pinout, MAX16956AUBF/V+T application, or MAX16956AUBF/V+T equivalent, key selection criteria include its 3.5V–36V input range, adjustable 1V–15V output (via resistor divider), -40°C to +125°C operation, 97% max duty cycle, and µMAX-EP 10-pin package with exposed pad thermal management.

Technical Context

This device implements current-mode PWM control with integrated slope compensation and load-line architecture to reduce required output capacitance. It features internal transconductance error amplification, cycle-by-cycle peak-current limiting, and automatic soft-start with 5.4ms ramp time.

Operation supports two modes: forced-PWM (MODE = BIAS) for constant-frequency noise filtering, and skip mode (MODE = GND or floating) enabling ultra-low 1.1µA IQ. RESET monitoring provides open-drain voltage-quality supervision with 90–92% VOUT thresholds and 12µs debounce.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The MAX16956AUBF/V+T is housed in a 3mm × 3mm, 10-pin µMAX® package with exposed pad (U10E+3 outline), optimized for thermal dissipation in space-constrained automotive PCBs. The exposed pad must be soldered to a large PGND copper plane using multiple vias.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar buck converter applications.

Compared with LM61480-Q1 and TPS62933-Q1, the MAX16956AUBF/V+T uniquely combines ultra-low 1.1µA skip-mode IQ, integrated RESET and BIAS outputs, spread-spectrum EMI reduction, and AEC-Q100 qualification in a 3mm × 3mm package-making it optimal for cost-sensitive, low-power automotive body electronics requiring functional safety-aware power sequencing.

Availability

The MAX16956AUBF/V+T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive body ECUs, ADAS camera modules, infotainment sub-regulators, and telematics control units requiring stable component supply across extended temperature and lifetime requirements.

Supply support for MAX16956AUBF/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

Analog Devices is a global leader in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing semiconductors, serving automotive, industrial, communications, and healthcare markets with precision power, sensing, and connectivity solutions.

The MAX16956 belongs to Analog Devices' automotive-qualified power management portfolio, engineered specifically for robust, low-quiescent-power DC-DC conversion in harsh-temperature vehicle subsystems-from body control to ADAS edge nodes.

FAQ

What output voltage does the MAX16956AUBF/V+T support?

The MAX16956AUBF/V+T is the adjustable-output variant of the MAX16956 family and supports programmable output voltages from 1V to 15V using an external resistor divider on the OUT/FB pin. Its feedback reference voltage is precisely 1.0V (±3%), enabling accurate regulation across the full range. This flexibility allows the MAX16956AUBF/V+T to serve diverse loads such as 1.2V processor cores, 2.8V image sensors, or 5V interface rails without changing the IC.

Does the MAX16956AUBF/V+T include spread-spectrum frequency modulation?

Yes, the MAX16956AUBF/V+T includes factory-enabled spread-spectrum frequency modulation (±6% around 2.1MHz) to reduce peak radiated EMI emissions. This feature is confirmed in the Selector Guide (Table 2), which lists "On" for Spread Spectrum under the MAX16956AUBF/V+ part row. The modulation uses a triangular waveform with 230µs period, making the MAX16956AUBF/V+T particularly suitable for automotive applications requiring CISPR-25 compliance without added shielding or filtering.

How is the enable function implemented on the MAX16956AUBF/V+T?

The MAX16956AUBF/V+T implements a high-voltage compatible enable input (EN pin) that accepts logic-level signals from 3.5V up to VSUP. With VIH,EN = 2.4V (min) and VIL,EN = 0.4V (max), it can be directly driven by microcontroller GPIOs, KL30 battery lines, or CAN transceiver inhibit (INH) outputs. Pulling EN low disables the device, reducing supply current to ≤0.75µA. This behavior makes the MAX16956AUBF/V+T ideal for controlled wake-up in automotive modules where EN is managed by system microcontrollers.

What thermal management provisions does the MAX16956AUBF/V+T require?

Effective thermal management of the MAX16956AUBF/V+T requires soldering its exposed pad (EP) to a large PGND copper plane using multiple thermal vias, as specified in the PCB Layout Guidelines. The µMAX-EP package has θJA = 77.6°C/W on a single-layer board but achieves significantly lower junction-to-ambient resistance on multilayer boards. The device includes thermal shutdown at +175°C with +15°C hysteresis, and proper EP grounding ensures reliable operation at full 300mA load across -40°C to +125°C ambient.

Can the MAX16956AUBF/V+T operate during automotive cold-crank conditions?

Yes, the MAX16956AUBF/V+T is explicitly designed for automotive cold-crank operation, supporting input voltages as low as 3.5V while maintaining regulation up to 97% duty cycle. During cold-crank (e.g., 3.6V input at 5V output), the device sustains output voltage without dropout thanks to its high-duty-cycle capability and low quiescent current (1.1µA in skip mode). This performance is validated in Typical Operating Characteristics (Figures toc16–toc17) and aligns with AEC-Q100 Grade 1 requirements for body electronics.