Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX20446BATG/V+
- Part No.:
- MAX20446BATG/V+
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- 24-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
MAX20446BATG/V+.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRV CTRL PWM 120MA 24TQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

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Product details
Overview
The MAX20446BATG/V+ from Maxim Integrated is an automotive-grade 6-channel LED backlight driver with integrated boost/SEPIC controller, I²C interface, and hybrid dimming capability. It delivers up to 130mA per channel, operates from 4.5V to 36V input, withstands 52V load-dump events, and functions across –40°C to +125°C for instrument clusters and infotainment displays.
For engineers reviewing the MAX20446BATG/V+ datasheet, MAX20446BATG/V+ pinout, MAX20446BATG/V+ application, or MAX20446BATG/V+ equivalent, key selection considerations include its 400kHz–2.2MHz programmable switching frequency, 500ns minimum PWM pulse width, >10,000:1 hybrid dimming ratio, integrated diagnostics (LED open/short, thermal shutdown, BSTMON monitoring), and 24-pin TQFN package with 4mm × 4mm footprint.
Technical Context
The MAX20446BATG/V+ implements a current-mode DC-DC controller supporting both boost and SEPIC topologies, with adaptive output-voltage control to minimize power loss in LED sink paths. Its spread-spectrum oscillator and phase-shifted dimming reduce EMI without external filtering.
It integrates an 8-bit DAC for precise LED current setting, a 5V LDO (VCC) regulator, and a full diagnostic subsystem accessible via I²C-including real-time measurement of individual string currents, BSTMON voltage, thermal status, and fault flags (LED open/short, overvoltage, undervoltage).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 4.5V to 36V - supports full automotive battery range including cold-crank (≥4.2V post-startup) and load-dump survival up to 52V. |
| LED Channel Current | Up to 130mA per channel - enables driving high-brightness LED strings for automotive displays with tight channel matching (±2% at 120mA). |
| Switching Frequency | 400kHz to 2.2MHz - programmable via RT resistor; allows optimization of efficiency vs. EMI and enables use of small external magnetics. |
| Dimming Ratio | >10,000:1 hybrid dimming - achieves deep dimming without color shift by combining analog current scaling and PWM, critical for ambient-light-adaptive dashboards. |
| Operating Temperature | –40°C to +125°C - qualified for under-hood and display-module mounting locations per AEC-Q100 Grade 0 requirements. |
| I²C Interface | Standard-mode (400kHz) - enables full configuration, real-time monitoring, and fault reporting without additional GPIO or analog lines. |
| Package | 24-pin TQFN (4mm × 4mm, 0.5mm pitch) - compact footprint with low thermal resistance (θJA = 36°C/W on 4-layer board) for thermally constrained display assemblies. |
Pinout & Package
The MAX20446BATG/V+ is housed in a 24-pin, 4mm × 4mm TQFN package with exposed thermal pad (package code T2444+4C). Pin 1 is located at the top-left corner (marked by dot), and pins are numbered counterclockwise.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IN | Bias supply input | Accepts 4.5V–36V main input; requires local 2.2µF ceramic bypass to GND for stability during load transients. |
| PGATE | External pMOSFET gate driver | Drives series disconnect MOSFET for fail-safe boost shutdown; supports fast turn-off during overvoltage or thermal fault. |
| OUT1–OUT6 | LED string cathode sinks | Open-drain linear current sinks; each delivers up to 130mA with internal current-setting reference (IREF) and channel disable capability. |
| FSEN | Fault sense input | Monitors external FET drain voltage to detect open-load conditions and enable fail-safe operation mode when configured. |
| RT | Oscillator timing node | Connects to GND via resistor (e.g., 76.8kΩ) to set fSW; also accepts external sync clock for deterministic EMI reduction. |
| IREF | Current reference input | Accepts 49.9kΩ-to-GND resistor to generate 1.25V reference; sets full-scale LED current via internal DAC scaling. |
| DIM | External PWM dimming input | Accepts 500ns-minimum PWM signal; used for standalone dimming or disabled (tied to GND) when I²C dimming is active. |
| SCL/SDA | I²C interface signals | Standard bidirectional I²C bus (400kHz max); requires external pullups to VCC for communication and register access. |
| FLTB | Open-drain fault flag output | Asserts low on unmasked faults (LED open/short, thermal warning, BSTMON OV/UV); requires external pullup to VCC. |
| GND / LEDGND / PGND | Ground terminals | Separate but co-located ground returns: GND (analog), LEDGND (current-sink return), PGND (power-switch return); must be joined at single point. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Hybrid dimming architecture | Combines analog current scaling and digital PWM to achieve >10,000:1 dimming ratio while maintaining consistent LED forward voltage and color point. |
| Adaptive output-voltage control | Dynamically adjusts boost output to just above the highest LED string forward voltage, minimizing power dissipation in current-sink paths and improving system efficiency. |
| Integrated diagnostics via I²C | Provides real-time readback of individual string currents, BSTMON voltage, thermal status, and fault flags-enabling predictive maintenance and ASIL-B-compliant error handling. |
| Spread-spectrum + phase-shift dimming | Reduces peak EMI by ±3% frequency dithering and staggered PWM timing across channels, easing EMC compliance without added shielding or filters. |
| Fail-safe FSEN-based operation | Uses external FET drain sensing to detect open LED strings and automatically enter safe state (e.g., reduce brightness or shut down) without relying solely on internal comparators. |
Applications
| Infotainment Displays | Central Information Displays |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: High-resolution TFT-LCD or OLED center-stack display requiring uniform brightness, wide dimming range, and robust fault reporting in vehicle cabin environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary backlight driver managing six independent LED strings with I²C-configurable current, dimming profile, and diagnostics. Use Value: Enables seamless ambient-light-adaptive dimming (0.01%–100%) and real-time LED health monitoring to prevent partial screen blackout during operation. | Use Scenario: Driver-facing central display integrating navigation, media, and vehicle settings, mounted near HVAC vents with wide temperature excursions. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Automotive-qualified LED driver delivering stable current across –40°C to +125°C, with thermal warning and shutdown protection. Use Value: Ensures uninterrupted display visibility during extreme thermal cycling and prevents thermal runaway via accurate junction temperature tracking and hysteresis-controlled shutdown. |
| Instrument Clusters | Head-Up Displays (HUD) |
Use Scenario: Safety-critical analog/digital gauge cluster where LED failure must be detected within milliseconds to trigger redundancy or warning indicators. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Fault-aware backlight controller performing per-string open/short detection and reporting via I²C within <10µs latency. Use Value: Meets ASIL-B functional safety requirements through hardware-level fault detection (no software dependency) and fail-safe response using FSEN and FLTB signals. | Use Scenario: Compact HUD projection module requiring minimal board area, low EMI, and precise luminance control for optical waveguide illumination. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Space-constrained 6-channel driver with 4mm × 4mm TQFN package, spread-spectrum switching, and phase-shifted dimming. Use Value: Reduces conducted and radiated emissions below CISPR-25 Class 5 limits without ferrite beads or shielded inductors, simplifying mechanical integration. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar 6-channel automotive LED driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX20446AATG/V+ | Predecessor variant with identical pinout and package; lacks enhanced thermal warning threshold (125°C vs. 135°C in 'B') and tighter current matching (±2.5% vs. ±2% at 120mA). | Valid for legacy designs where thermal margin is less constrained and diagnostic resolution is acceptable at older spec levels. | Select MAX20446BATG/V+ for new designs requiring improved thermal monitoring accuracy and tighter channel matching per AEC-Q100 stress testing. |
| TPS61196RGER | TI 6-channel boost LED driver with 1.5A total output; uses analog dimming only (no hybrid/PWM), fixed 2.2MHz fSW, no I²C, and smaller 16-pin WQFN package. | Suitable for cost-sensitive non-safety-critical displays where diagnostics and flexible dimming are secondary to size and BOM count. | Choose MAX20446BATG/V+ when I²C configurability, >10,000:1 dimming, and comprehensive fault reporting are required for ASIL-compliant systems. |
Compared with MAX20446AATG/V+, the MAX20446BATG/V+ offers tighter current matching and earlier thermal warning; versus TPS61196RGER, it provides I²C control, hybrid dimming, and full diagnostics-making it the preferred choice for high-integrity automotive display systems demanding configurability and functional safety support.
Availability
The MAX20446BATG/V+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for infotainment displays, instrument clusters, and central information displays requiring stable component supply, AEC-Q100 qualification, and long-term automotive lifecycle support.
Supply support for MAX20446BATG/V+ 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 precision analog, mixed-signal, and power-management ICs for automotive, industrial, and communications applications.
The MAX20446B product line targets automotive display backlighting, delivering high-channel-count, fault-aware LED drivers with integrated DC-DC conversion and digital control for next-generation digital cockpits.
FAQ
What is the maximum LED current per channel supported by the MAX20446BATG/V+?
The MAX20446BATG/V+ supports up to 130mA per channel in continuous operation. Electrical characteristics specify 120mA, 100mA, and 50mA factory-tested current settings with guaranteed accuracy (e.g., 116–124.5mA at 120mA setting), and channel-to-channel matching of ±2% at 120mA. The device's thermal design and package allow safe operation at the full 130mA rating under typical automotive thermal conditions.
Does the MAX20446BATG/V+ support both boost and SEPIC topologies?
Yes, the MAX20446BATG/V+ integrates a current-mode DC-DC controller configurable for either boost or SEPIC topology. The selection is determined by external component layout-not internal configuration-and both modes operate across the full 400kHz–2.2MHz switching frequency range. SEPIC is particularly useful when input voltage may exceed output voltage (e.g., start-stop battery transients), while boost is optimal for standard backlight step-up applications.
How does the hybrid dimming function work in the MAX20446BATG/V+?
The MAX20446BATG/V+ hybrid dimming combines analog current scaling (via internal 8-bit DAC) with digital PWM to achieve >10,000:1 dimming ratio. At high brightness, dimming is primarily analog; as brightness decreases, PWM duty cycle reduces while analog current remains near full scale-preserving LED color consistency and eliminating low-current instability. Minimum PWM pulse width is 500ns, enabling fine-grained control even at 200Hz frame rates.
What fault protections are implemented in the MAX20446BATG/V+?
The MAX20446BATG/V+ provides comprehensive hardware-based fault protection: LED open/short detection per string, boost output overvoltage/undervoltage (via BSTMON), thermal warning (125°C) and shutdown (165°C with 15°C hysteresis), and short-to-ground detection on OUT_ pins. All faults are reported via dedicated FLTB pin and readable through I²C registers, enabling both immediate fail-safe action and diagnostic logging for system-level analysis.
Is the MAX20446BATG/V+ AEC-Q100 qualified?
Yes, the MAX20446BATG/V+ is qualified per AEC-Q100 Grade 0 (–40°C to +150°C junction temperature), with full characterization across –40°C to +125°C ambient operating range. It meets automotive reliability requirements including HTOL, TC, UHAST, and ESD (HBM ±2kV, MM ±200V), and incorporates design features such as 52V load-dump tolerance and fail-safe FSEN-based open-LED detection for functional safety compliance.
MAX20446BATG/V+ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 24-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Active
- Type:
- DC DC Controller
- Topology:
- Step-Up (Boost), SEPIC
- Internal Switch(s):
- Yes
- Number of Outputs:
- 6
- Voltage - Supply (Min):
- 4.5V
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
- 36V
- Voltage - Output:
- 52V
- Current - Output / Channel:
- 120mA
- Frequency:
- 400kHz ~ 2.2MHz
- Dimming:
- Analog, I2C, PWM
- Applications:
- Backlight, Central Information Displays, Infotainment Displays, Instrument Clusters
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 125°C (TA)
- Grade:
- Automotive
- Qualification:
- AEC-Q100
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 24-TQFN (4x4)
MAX20446BATG/V+ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX20446BATG/V+ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX20446BATG/V+ 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 MAX20446BATG/V+ reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX20446BATG/V+ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX20446BATG/V+ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX20446BATG/V+?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX20446BATG/V+ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX20446BATG/V+?
MAX20446BATG/V+ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX20446BATG/V+ 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 MAX20446BATG/V+?
For technical support, including MAX20446BATG/V+ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX20446BATG/V+ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX20446BATG/V+ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX20446BATG/V+ 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 MAX20446BATG/V+ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX20446BATG/V+?
All MAX20446BATG/V+ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX20446BATG/V+, 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 MAX20446BATG/V+ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX20446BATG/V+:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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