Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX77711AEVKIT#

Overview

MAX77711AEVKIT# from Maxim Integrated is a fully assembled and tested evaluation kit for the MAX77711 configurable quad-phase buck regulator with integrated 300mA LDO. It supports input voltage from 2.3V to 10V, delivers up to 12A total output (4×3A phases), and enables adjustable output voltages from 0.25V to 5.2V - ideal for evaluating power sequencing, multiphase configuration, and transient load response in high-density portable electronics.

For engineers reviewing the MAX77711AEVKIT# datasheet, MAX77711AEVKIT# pinout, MAX77711AEVKIT# application, or MAX77711AEVKIT# equivalent, this kit provides hands-on validation of phase configurations (4Φ, 3Φ+1Φ, 2Φ+2Φ, 2Φ+1Φ+1Φ, 1Φ×4), I²C register-level control via Windows GUI, on-board transient load emulation (6A ×2, 150mA fine), and flexible power sequencer activation - all critical for system-level PMIC integration in battery-powered SoC platforms.

Technical Context

The MAX77711AEVKIT# implements the MAX77711 IC in a default 2Φ+1Φ+1Φ configuration: Buck 1 operates dual-phase (6A, L1+L2), Buck 3 and Buck 4 operate single-phase (3A each), with VOUT1 = 0.7V, VOUT3 = 1.8V, VOUT4 = 3.3V. The LDO (enabled by GPIO5) is powered from INLDO (1.25V–5.5V), independent of SYS rail.

Phase configuration is set via jumpers J7 (PHCFG0) and J11 (PHCFG1), which also determine the I²C slave address (e.g., 0x74 for 2Φ+1Φ+1Φ). On-board 0Ω resistors (R38–R44, R49) must match the selected configuration to avoid functional impairment; mismatched routing disables regulation or causes output shorting.

Key Specifications

Availability

MAX77711AEVKIT# is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for high-reliability power architecture validation, PMIC firmware development, and multiphase buck layout verification requiring stable component supply across prototyping, NPI, and pre-production stages.

Supply support for MAX77711AEVKIT# 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 demanding applications in automotive, industrial, and portable electronics.

The MAX77711 product line targets advanced mobile and wearable SoC platforms requiring highly configurable, high-efficiency power delivery with integrated sequencing and LDO support - optimized for space-constrained, battery-sensitive designs.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the MAX77711AEVKIT#?

The MAX77711AEVKIT# is a hardware evaluation platform designed exclusively to validate the MAX77711 power-management IC. It enables engineers to test all operational modes - including 2Φ+1Φ+1Φ default configuration, LDO enablement via GPIO5, flexible power sequencer activation, and I²C register-level control - without custom PCB design. The MAX77711AEVKIT# includes onboard transient loads, USB interface, and Windows GUI software to accelerate PMIC integration into battery-powered systems.

Does the MAX77711AEVKIT# support both MAX77511 and MAX77711 ICs?

Yes, the MAX77711AEVKIT# evaluates both the MAX77511 and MAX77711, but its shipped configuration uses the MAX77711AEWB+. The key functional difference is that only the MAX77711 includes the 300mA LDO - so LDO-specific controls (enable, voltage setting, FPS assignment) are accessible in the GUI only when the MAX77711AEVKIT# is populated with MAX77711. All buck regulator features remain identical between the two devices.

How do I configure the MAX77711AEVKIT# for a 4-phase (4Φ) output?

To configure the MAX77711AEVKIT# for 4Φ operation, set jumper J7 (PHCFG0) to position 1–2 (logic-high), jumper J11 (PHCFG1) to position 1–2 (logic-high), and install 0Ω resistors R38, R39, R40, R49, R41, R42, R43, and R44. This routes all four inductors (L1–L4) into a single 12A buck channel with feedback sensed on SNS1± only. Confirm configuration via the GUI Status tab - Phase Configuration Status must read 0x0 before enabling the buck.

Can the MAX77711AEVKIT# be used without installing the GUI software?

No - the MAX77711AEVKIT# requires the official Windows GUI software to communicate with the MAX77711 IC over I²C. The GUI provides essential register-level access for configuring output voltages, enabling/disabling bucks and the LDO, assigning GPIO functions, and controlling the flexible power sequencer. Without the GUI, only basic power-up and static voltage measurement are possible; no dynamic control or configuration is supported via hardware-only interaction.

What is the role of the 0Ω resistors R41–R44 on the MAX77711AEVKIT#?

R41–R44 on the MAX77711AEVKIT# serve dual roles: they connect buck outputs (OUT1–OUT4) to the on-board transient loads (LOADA/LOADB), and - critically - they can inadvertently short outputs together if misconfigured. For example, populating both R41 and R42 connects OUT1 and OUT2, which is required for dual-phase Buck 1 but invalid for single-phase operation. Their placement must strictly follow Table 2 in the EV kit documentation to match the PHCFG0/PHCFG1 jumper settings and prevent functional failure or damage.