Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX38902BATA+

Overview

MAX38902BATA+ from Analog Devices is a low-noise, 500mA linear regulator in an 8-pin TDFN package, featuring resistor-adjustable output voltage (0.6V–5.3V), active-low POK output, and 10.5µVRMS noise (10Hz–100kHz). It maintains ±1% DC accuracy over load, line, and temperature, with only 100mV dropout at full load (3.6V_IN), and delivers stable power to noise-sensitive analog circuitry such as high-resolution ADCs and audio codecs.

For engineers reviewing the MAX38902BATA+ datasheet, MAX38902BATA+ pinout, MAX38902BATA+ application, or MAX38902BATA+ equivalent, key selection criteria include its POK functionality, 365µA no-load quiescent current, 70dB PSRR at 10kHz, compatibility with 2µF minimum output capacitance, and thermal/overcurrent protection for robust system-level power management.

Technical Context

The MAX38902BATA+ uses a pMOS pass transistor architecture with internal 0.6V reference and external feedback via FB pin, enabling precise resistor-based output voltage setting. Its control loop integrates programmable soft-start (via BYP capacitor), reverse-current protection triggered at V_IN < V_OUT – 10mV, and thermal shutdown at +165°C with hysteresis down to +150°C.

It implements an 800Ω active discharge path from OUT to GND when EN is low, ensuring rapid output capacitor discharge during sequencing. The POK output is open-drain with 91% V_OUT threshold and 100mV low-level voltage at 1mA sink, requiring an external pull-up for reset signaling.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX38902BATA+ is housed in an 8-pin, 2mm × 2mm TDFN package (package code T822+3C) with exposed pad (EP) for thermal dissipation. The pinout is optimized for low-noise layout: IN and GND are adjacent for low-inductance input bypassing; BYP is isolated near OUT to minimize coupling; POK and FB support external pull-up and feedback divider routing.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MAX8902BATA+, MAX38902BATA+ adds critical POK functionality and cuts output noise by 40%, making it superior for timing-critical and high-fidelity analog systems; versus TPL7407LADGNR, it offers lower noise and simpler single-rail design at the cost of channel count.

Availability

MAX38902BATA+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for communication circuitry, audio systems, and high-resolution data acquisition systems requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and RoHS-compliant packaging.

Supply support for MAX38902BATA+ 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 industrial, automotive, communications, and healthcare markets.

The MAX38902 series belongs to Analog Devices' ultra-low-noise LDO portfolio, designed specifically for powering noise-sensitive analog signal chains where PSRR, output accuracy, and sequencing control are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum output current capability of the MAX38902BATA+?

The MAX38902BATA+ delivers up to 500mA of continuous output current while maintaining regulation and thermal safety. Its current limit is specified at 600–800mA (typical 700mA), and thermal shutdown activates at +165°C junction temperature to protect against sustained overload. This makes the MAX38902BATA+ suitable for driving moderate-power analog loads such as ADC drivers, RF bias circuits, and audio amplifiers without external current boosting.

How does the POK output on the MAX38902BATA+ function in system power sequencing?

The POK output on the MAX38902BATA+ is an open-drain signal that goes low when the regulated output reaches 91% of its target voltage, providing deterministic power-good assertion. It requires an external pull-up resistor to a logic-compatible supply. During faults (overload, shutdown, or undervoltage), POK goes high. This behavior enables reliable coordination with FPGAs, microcontrollers, or PMICs for controlled startup and fault recovery - a key advantage over non-POK LDOs like the MAX8902BATA+.

Can the MAX38902BATA+ operate with a 2.5V input supplying a 2.5V output?

Yes, the MAX38902BATA+ supports operation with only 100mV of headroom at full 500mA load (e.g., 2.5V_IN → 2.5V_OUT). Its dropout voltage is guaranteed ≤100mV under those conditions, verified across temperature and process corners. This ultra-low dropout enables efficient use of intermediate rails and extends battery life in single-cell Li-ion systems where input voltage sags near end-of-discharge.

What is the role of the BYP pin on the MAX38902BATA+, and how does it affect startup behavior?

The BYP pin on the MAX38902BATA+ connects to a capacitor (0.001µF–0.1µF) between OUT and BYP to filter reference noise and set soft-start slew rate. A 0.01µF capacitor yields a 5V/ms startup ramp, limiting inrush current to ~50mA for a 10µF output cap. Larger BYP values slow startup; smaller values accelerate it. Leakage >10nA at BYP degrades output accuracy, so low-leakage C0G/NP0 ceramics are recommended.

Does the MAX38902BATA+ provide protection against reverse current flow from output to input?

Yes, the MAX38902BATA+ includes integrated reverse-current protection that disables the pass device when V_IN drops 10mV below V_OUT. This prevents backfeed from large output capacitors during input brownout or hot-swap events - a critical feature in multi-rail systems where downstream supplies may remain energized longer than upstream sources. Unlike diode-based solutions, this protection adds no forward voltage drop or power loss during normal operation.