Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX77596EVKIT#

Overview

MAX77596EVKIT# from Maxim Integrated is an evaluation kit for the MAX77596 24V, 300mA synchronous buck converter with 1.1µA quiescent current. It supports fixed 3.3V/5V and adjustable (1V–10V) output versions in a 2mm × 2.5mm TDFN-10 package, enabling rapid validation of low-I_Q power delivery in battery-powered USB Type-C and portable Li⁺ systems.

For engineers reviewing the MAX77596EVKIT# datasheet, MAX77596EVKIT# pinout, MAX77596EVKIT# application, or MAX77596EVKIT# equivalent, this kit provides preconfigured hardware to verify startup behavior, load transient response, efficiency across 3.5V–24V input, RESET monitoring accuracy, and forced-PWM/skip-mode operation - all critical for point-of-load designs requiring ultra-low standby power.

Technical Context

The MAX77596EVKIT# implements the MAX77596 IC in a fully assembled, tested layout with optimized 10µH inductor, 22µF X5R output capacitor, 4.7µF input capacitor, and 0.1µF bootstrap capacitor. It exposes all control signals (EN, MODE, RESET), feedback (OUT/FB), and power terminals (SUP, LX, PGND, AGND, BIAS, BST) for direct probing and configuration.

Designed for current-mode control architecture, the kit enables immediate characterization of soft-start (6.67ms), 98% max duty cycle operation near dropout, 1.7MHz switching frequency effects on component size, and thermal shutdown behavior at +175°C - all under real-world load conditions up to 300mA.

Key Specifications

Availability

MAX77596EVKIT# is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for USB Type-C device development, portable medical instrumentation, industrial IoT sensors, and battery-powered edge AI modules requiring stable component supply and fast design validation cycles.

Supply support for MAX77596EVKIT# 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 solutions for demanding industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.

The MAX77596 product line targets ultra-low-power, wide-input-voltage DC-DC conversion in space-constrained battery-operated devices - specifically engineered to extend runtime while maintaining regulation integrity during deep discharge and transient load events.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MAX77596EVKIT#?

The MAX77596EVKIT# is an evaluation kit designed to accelerate development and validation of the MAX77596 24V, 300mA buck converter. It provides a fully assembled PCB with all necessary passive components, test points, and jumpers to evaluate startup behavior, efficiency, load/line transients, RESET monitoring, and forced-PWM/skip-mode operation without custom layout effort. The MAX77596EVKIT# directly supports all three MAX77596 variants (ETBA+, ETBB+, ETBC+) and enables rapid prototyping in battery-powered and USB Type-C applications.

Does the MAX77596EVKIT# support adjustable output voltage configurations?

Yes, the MAX77596EVKIT# supports adjustable output voltage operation using the MAX77596ETBC+ variant. It includes footprint and routing for an external resistor divider on the OUT/FB node, allowing users to set V_OUT between 1V and 10V per the equation R1 = R2 × (V_OUT/1.0V − 1), where R2 ≤ 100kΩ. The kit ships with default 3.3V/5V fixed-output configurations but is fully reconfigurable for adjustable use - verified with onboard test points for FB voltage, output ripple, and load regulation.

How does the MAX77596EVKIT# demonstrate ultra-low quiescent current performance?

The MAX77596EVKIT# validates the 1.1µA quiescent current (I_Q) of the MAX77596 in skip mode through direct current measurement at the SUP pin using a precision picoammeter and onboard test points. This value is confirmed across temperature (-40°C to +85°C) and input voltage (3.5V–24V) ranges, matching the datasheet specification for the 3.3V fixed-output version. The kit's low-leakage PCB layout, shielded ground plane, and absence of parasitic loads ensure accurate I_Q characterization - critical for battery life estimation in always-on portable devices.

Can the MAX77596EVKIT# be used to evaluate thermal performance?

Yes, the MAX77596EVKIT# enables thermal performance evaluation via its exposed-pad (EP) soldered to a large copper ground plane, consistent with JEDEC JESD51-7 four-layer board guidelines. Thermal resistance measurements (θ_JA = 102°C/W, θ_JC = 2.9°C/W) are reproducible on the kit, and thermal shutdown at +175°C (with 15°C hysteresis) can be triggered and observed using the RESET signal and infrared thermography. The kit includes thermal test points adjacent to the IC and inductor for direct junction-to-ambient correlation.

What protection features are validated on the MAX77596EVKIT#?

The MAX77596EVKIT# validates short-circuit protection (via controlled output short with current-limited lab supply), thermal shutdown (+175°C), undervoltage lockout (3.2V rising threshold), and 6.67ms internal soft-start. These are observable through oscilloscope capture of LX, V_OUT, and RESET waveforms during fault events - for example, hard short causes 15-cycle current-limit cycling followed by 16.5ms recovery delay before soft-start retry. All protections align with MAX77596 datasheet specifications and require no firmware or external circuitry.