Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX8596XETA+
- Part No.:
- MAX8596XETA+
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- LED Drivers
- Package:
- -
- Datasheet:
-
MAX8596XETA+.pdf
- Description:
- IC LED DRVR RGLTR DIM 25MA 8TDFN
- Quantity:
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Product details
Overview
MAX8596XETA+ from Maxim Integrated is a high-efficiency, 36V step-up DC-DC converter IC designed to drive 2–9 series-connected white LEDs with precise constant current regulation. It features ambient-temperature derating (starts at +42°C), 1.7% current-regulation accuracy, 86% peak efficiency, and operates from 2.6V to 6V input. Used in LCD backlighting for smartphones and handheld devices requiring uniform brightness and thermal safety.
For engineers reviewing the MAX8596XETA+ datasheet, MAX8596XETA+ pinout, MAX8596XETA+ application, or MAX8596XETA+ equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, real-world dimming behavior, thermal derating thresholds, package-level layout guidance, and validated alternative options for LED backlight power management.
Technical Context
The MAX8596XETA+ implements a current-mode PWM boost architecture with a fixed 1MHz switching frequency, enabling small external components (22µH inductor, 0.1µF output capacitor) and low 12mVP-P input ripple. Its error amplifier regulates LED current via CS feedback referenced to a temperature-compensated VCTRL/5 threshold.
Unlike the MAX8595X, the MAX8596XETA+ integrates an ambient-temperature derating function: above +42°C, the CS regulation voltage declines linearly at –5.5mV/°C down to 106.5mV at +85°C, reducing LED current to prevent thermal overstress while allowing higher nominal drive current below +42°C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage Range | 2.6V to 6.0V - supports single-cell Li-ion (3.0–4.2V) and dual-cell alkaline/NiMH inputs without external regulators. |
| LED Output Voltage | Up to 38V - sufficient for driving up to nine 3.4V white LEDs in series (30.6V typical) with margin for diode drop and ripple. |
| Current Regulation Accuracy | ±1.7% - ensures consistent LED brightness across temperature and unit-to-unit variation without factory calibration. |
| Switching Frequency | 1.0MHz (typ) - enables compact magnetics and capacitors; reduces EMI fundamental frequency outside sensitive bands. |
| Shutdown Current | 0.3µA (typ) - minimizes battery drain during display-off states in portable devices. |
| Overvoltage Lockout | 38V (typ) - protects LEDs and Schottky diode from catastrophic failure due to open-circuit or component drift. |
| Derating Start Temperature | +42°C - triggers automatic current reduction only under sustained high-ambient conditions, preserving full brightness in normal operation. |
Pinout & Package
MAX8596XETA+ is housed in an 8-pin TDFN-EP package (3mm × 3mm × 0.8mm) with exposed paddle for thermal dissipation. The package is lead-free and RoHS-compliant, with pin 1 marked by a "+" sign on lead-free variants.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| OUT | Overvoltage sense node | Monitors output voltage; disables switching if >38V and initiates soft-start recovery when voltage falls below 36V. |
| IN | Main power input | Accepts 2.6–6.0V supply; requires local 2.2µF ceramic bypass capacitor to minimize input ripple and EMI. |
| CTRL | Dual-mode control input | Accepts analog voltage (0.24–1.72V) for brightness control or logic-level PWM (200Hz–200kHz) for digital dimming; <100mV for 8.2ms initiates shutdown. |
| CS | Current-sense feedback | Regulates to VCTRL/5 (max 343mV at +42°C); sets LED current via external RSENSE = VCTRL/(5 × ILED). |
| COMP | Compensation node | Connects 0.1µF ceramic capacitor; stabilizes loop, controls soft-start ramp, and filters PWM dimming signals. |
| GND | Analog ground reference | Must be tied directly to PGND and exposed paddle; forms low-impedance return path for control circuitry. |
| PGND | Power ground node | Carries high-switching-current return path; must be connected to GND and exposed paddle with minimal trace inductance. |
| LX | Switch node | Drives external inductor; connects to Schottky diode anode; high-impedance in shutdown to prevent unintended conduction. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Ambient-temperature derating | Reduces LED current above +42°C at –5.5mV/°C on CS pin, enabling higher safe nominal current and eliminating need for external thermal sensors. |
| 1MHz current-mode PWM | Enables use of 22µH inductor and 0.1µF output capacitor - cuts BOM size/cost vs. lower-frequency boost converters requiring larger magnetics. |
| Soft-start function | Charges COMP capacitor gradually; prevents inrush current into LED string and input supply during power-up or wake-from-standby. |
| Dual-mode CTRL interface | Supports analog voltage control, direct PWM dimming (no external RC filter needed), and logic-level shutdown - simplifies system-level brightness management. |
| Output overvoltage protection | Disables LX switching at 38V and forces soft-start restart at 36V - protects LEDs and diode from overvoltage stress during fault or open-circuit conditions. |
Applications
| Smartphone LCD Backlight | e-Book Display Illumination |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Driving 6–8 white LEDs in series for high-brightness, uniform frontlight in compact mobile form factors with limited PCB area and battery capacity. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Constant-current boost controller regulating LED string current with ±1.7% accuracy across –40°C to +85°C ambient range. Use Value: Enables consistent screen luminance without per-unit calibration; ambient derating prevents thermal runaway during summer outdoor use or pocket storage. |
Use Scenario: Powering low-power e-ink display backlight in always-on reading devices where battery life and thermal safety are critical. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Efficient 1MHz boost converter delivering stable 20mA LED current from 3.6V Li-ion cell, with ultra-low 0.3µA shutdown current. Use Value: Extends battery runtime beyond 30 days in standby; soft-start eliminates visible flash during wake-up; small TDFN package fits tight bezel constraints. |
| PDA/Palmtop Display Backlight | Subnotebook Keyboard Illumination |
Use Scenario: Backlighting QVGA or VGA transflective LCDs in legacy PDAs with variable input voltage (2.8–5.5V) and space-constrained layouts. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Wide-input (2.6–6.0V), pin-compatible upgrade to MAX1561/MAX1599 with improved thermal derating and tighter current regulation. Use Value: Maintains backward compatibility while adding ambient-temperature protection - avoids redesign of existing PCBs during component refresh. |
Use Scenario: Driving 2–4 white LEDs for keyboard backlighting in ultraportable subnotebooks where heat buildup near touchpad or palm rest must be minimized. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Thermally aware LED driver limiting current above +42°C to keep surface temperature below 45°C during extended typing sessions. Use Value: Prevents user discomfort from localized heating; allows higher peak brightness during short-use intervals without long-term thermal penalty. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar white LED backlight driver applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX8595XETA+ | No ambient-temperature derating; CS clamp fixed at 330mV regardless of die temperature. | Suitable for thermally stable environments or designs with external thermal management. | Select MAX8595XETA+ only if ambient derating is unnecessary and pin compatibility with legacy MAX8595X designs is required. |
| MAX1561ETA+ | Lower max output voltage (28V), no TA derating, 500kHz switching, larger 10-pin µMAX package. | Limited to ≤6 LEDs at 3.4V; less efficient at high LED counts; requires larger board area. | Choose MAX1561ETA+ only for cost-sensitive, low-LED-count designs where footprint and thermal headroom are not constrained. |
Compared with MAX8595XETA+, the MAX8596XETA+ adds thermal derating for safer high-brightness operation in unventilated enclosures; compared with MAX1561ETA+, it delivers higher output voltage, smaller footprint, and better efficiency - making it optimal for modern compact handhelds demanding both brightness and thermal robustness.
Availability
MAX8596XETA+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone backlighting, e-book illumination, and PDA display power applications requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and RoHS-compliant packaging.
Supply support for MAX8596XETA+ 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 U.S.-based semiconductor company specializing in high-performance analog, mixed-signal, and power-management ICs for portable, industrial, and communications systems.
The MAX8596XETA+ belongs to Maxim's white LED backlight driver product line, engineered specifically for space-constrained, battery-powered handheld devices needing high-efficiency, thermally adaptive constant-current LED control.
FAQ
What is the key functional difference between MAX8596XETA+ and MAX8595XETA+?
The MAX8596XETA+ includes an ambient-temperature derating function that reduces LED current above +42°C at –5.5mV/°C on the CS pin, whereas the MAX8595XETA+ maintains fixed current regulation across temperature. This makes MAX8596XETA+ safer for high-brightness operation in thermally unmanaged handheld enclosures. Both share identical pinout, package, and core boost functionality.
How does the MAX8596XETA+ implement PWM dimming without external filtering?
The MAX8596XETA+ uses its internal error amplifier and the external 0.1µF capacitor on the COMP pin to form a lowpass filter. When a 200Hz–200kHz PWM signal is applied to CTRL, this filter converts the duty-cycle-modulated input into a stable DC voltage that regulates LED current - eliminating need for external RC networks while maintaining smooth dimming response.
What is the maximum number of white LEDs the MAX8596XETA+ can drive, and what limits it?
The MAX8596XETA+ can drive up to nine white LEDs in series, limited by its 38V overvoltage lockout threshold and typical forward voltage of ~3.4V per LED (30.6V total). With margin for Schottky diode drop (~0.4V) and ripple, the practical limit remains nine LEDs. Exceeding this risks triggering OVLO or insufficient headroom for regulation.
Does the MAX8596XETA+ require special PCB layout considerations?
Yes - the MAX8596XETA+ demands careful layout: place the 2.2µF IN capacitor as close as possible to pins IN and PGND; tie GND, PGND, and the exposed paddle together with multiple vias; keep CS trace short and away from noisy LX; and route high-current paths (IN→inductor, diode→LEDs) with wide, direct traces to minimize inductance and EMI.
What is the role of the exposed paddle on the MAX8596XETA+ TDFN package?
The exposed paddle on the MAX8596XETA+ serves as the primary thermal path - it must be soldered directly to a large copper ground plane to dissipate heat and maintain junction temperature within limits. It is electrically connected to PGND and GND, and improper thermal connection risks thermal shutdown or reduced reliability during sustained LED drive.
MAX8596XETA+ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- *
- Package/Case:
- -
- Packaging:
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Type:
- -
- Topology:
- -
- Internal Switch(s):
- -
- Number of Outputs:
- -
- Voltage - Supply (Min):
- -
- Voltage - Supply (Max):
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- Voltage - Output:
- -
- Current - Output / Channel:
- -
- Frequency:
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- Dimming:
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- Applications:
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- Operating Temperature:
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MAX8596XETA+ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX8596XETA+ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX8596XETA+ 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 MAX8596XETA+ reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX8596XETA+ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX8596XETA+ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX8596XETA+?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX8596XETA+ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX8596XETA+?
MAX8596XETA+ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX8596XETA+ 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 MAX8596XETA+?
For technical support, including MAX8596XETA+ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX8596XETA+ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX8596XETA+ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX8596XETA+ 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 MAX8596XETA+ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX8596XETA+?
All MAX8596XETA+ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX8596XETA+, 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 MAX8596XETA+ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX8596XETA+:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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