Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX1976AETT250+T

Overview

MAX1976AETT250+T from Maxim Integrated is a low-dropout linear regulator with preset 2.5V output, delivering guaranteed 300mA continuous current at ≤100mV dropout (VIN ≥ VOUT + 0.5V), ±0.5% output voltage accuracy over load/line/temp, and a 70ms active-low open-drain RESET flag-designed for power management in battery-powered handheld computing and mobile audio devices.

For engineers reviewing the MAX1976AETT250+T datasheet, MAX1976AETT250+T pinout, MAX1976AETT250+T application, or MAX1976AETT250+T equivalent, key selection criteria include its 1.62V minimum input voltage, thermal-overload protection, logic-controlled shutdown, 90µA typical ground current under full load, and TDFN-6 (3mm × 3mm) package compatibility with high-density portable PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The MAX1976AETT250+T integrates a p-channel MOSFET pass transistor (RDS(ON) = 0.33Ω) enabling supply current independence from load and dropout voltage. Its error amplifier compares an internal reference against feedback from a fixed internal divider to regulate the 2.5V output.

RESET assertion is triggered when VOUT falls below 82.5% of nominal (2.0625V), remains asserted for ≥70ms after regulation recovery, and is actively pulled low during shutdown. Thermal shutdown activates at +165°C with 15°C hysteresis, enabling pulsed operation under sustained overload.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX1976AETT250+T is housed in a RoHS-compliant 6-pin TDFN package (3mm × 3mm, exposed paddle), optimized for thermal performance in space-constrained portable designs. The exposed paddle (EP) must be soldered to a large ground plane for effective heatsinking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar LDO regulator applications.

Compared with MAX1976AETT250+T, XC6219B252MR-G trades away RESET and thermal protection for cost reduction, while ADP125ARHZ-2.5-R7 offers higher current but requires external reset circuitry and occupies more PCB area-making MAX1976AETT250+T optimal for space- and feature-constrained portable systems needing integrated supervision.

Availability

MAX1976AETT250+T is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone baseband power, digital still camera core logic, and portable media player audio codec applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MAX1976AETT250+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) is a semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for industrial, communications, and consumer markets.

The MAX1963A/MAX1976A product line was designed specifically for ultra-low-input-voltage, high-accuracy LDO regulation in battery-powered portable electronics-emphasizing minimal dropout, low quiescent current, and integrated power-good supervision.

FAQ

What is the exact output voltage of MAX1976AETT250+T and how is it set?

The MAX1976AETT250+T delivers a precisely trimmed fixed output voltage of 2.50V. This value is set internally during wafer fabrication using laser trimming of on-chip resistive dividers-no external components are required or supported. The ±0.5% accuracy is guaranteed over temperature (-40°C to +85°C), load (1mA to 300mA), and line (VIN = VOUT + 0.5V to 3.6V), as confirmed in the Electrical Characteristics table of the official datasheet.

Does MAX1976AETT250+T require external capacitors, and what are the minimum values?

Yes, MAX1976AETT250+T requires two external ceramic capacitors: a minimum 1µF capacitor between IN and GND, and a minimum 4.7µF low-ESR (≤30mΩ) capacitor between OUT and GND. These values ensure stability across the full operating temperature range and up to 300mA load. Placement must be adjacent to the respective pins to minimize trace inductance-failure to meet these requirements risks oscillation or poor transient response.

What is the function and timing behavior of the RESET pin on MAX1976AETT250+T?

The RESET pin on MAX1976AETT250+T is an active-low, open-drain output that asserts low during power-up, brownout, or shutdown, and remains asserted for a minimum of 70ms after VOUT rises above 82.5% of nominal (2.0625V). It falls immediately if VOUT drops below that threshold. An external pull-up resistor is mandatory; the datasheet specifies VOL ≤ 400mV at 100µA sink current.

How does MAX1976AETT250+T handle thermal overload conditions?

MAX1976AETT250+T incorporates thermal-overload protection that disables the pass transistor when junction temperature exceeds +165°C. After shutdown, the device automatically resumes operation once the junction cools by 15°C (to +150°C), resulting in pulsed output under sustained overload. This protects the IC from permanent damage while allowing continued operation in intermittently overloaded conditions-critical for handheld devices with variable thermal environments.

Is MAX1976AETT250+T pin-compatible with other variants in the MAX1963A/MAX1976A family?

MAX1976AETT250+T shares identical pinout and package (6-pin TDFN, 3mm × 3mm) with all other MAX1976A variants in the same package option (e.g., MAX1976AETT150+T, MAX1976AETT180+T), including matching IN, GND, SHDN, RESET, I.C., and OUT assignments. However, it is not pin-compatible with MAX1963A variants due to differing RESET delay timing (2.2ms vs. 70ms), though electrical interface remains identical.