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Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX8668ETEA+
- Part No.:
- MAX8668ETEA+
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Category:
- Voltage Regulators - Linear + Switching
- Package:
- 16-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
MAX8668ETEA+.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG QUAD BUCK/LNR SYNC 16TQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:3,398
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Product details
Overview
MAX8668ETEA+ from Maxim Integrated is a dual step-down DC-DC converter with dual low-noise LDO regulators, designed to power microprocessors and DSPs in portable electronics. It delivers 600mA on OUT1 and 1200mA on OUT2, supports adjustable output voltages from 0.6V to 3.3V, operates at 1.5MHz hysteretic-PWM, and achieves 100µA no-load supply current with all outputs enabled - enabling compact, high-efficiency power management in smartphones and digital cameras.
For engineers reviewing the MAX8668ETEA+ datasheet, MAX8668ETEA+ pinout, MAX8668ETEA+ application, or MAX8668ETEA+ equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual adjustable buck architecture, individual enable inputs per regulator, 3mm × 3mm thin QFN package, and verified LDO dropout performance down to 1.7V input - critical for battery-powered sequencing and low-voltage rail integrity.
Technical Context
The MAX8668ETEA+ integrates two synchronous step-down converters (OUT1/OUT2) using a proprietary hysteretic-PWM control scheme operating at ~1.5MHz, enabling ultra-small external components including 2.2µH inductors. Each buck stage features p-channel high-side switches (RDS(ON) ≤ 0.6Ω) and n-channel synchronous rectifiers with valley-current limiting (1200mA min for OUT2).
It also includes two independent low-quiescent-current LDOs (OUT3/OUT4), each rated for 300mA, with 1.7V minimum input voltage, 250mV max dropout at full load, and 75µVRMS output noise (100Hz–100kHz). All four regulators feature individual enable inputs (EN1–EN4), soft-start (100µs for LDOs, variable for bucks), and thermal shutdown at +160°C.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Step-down Output Current | 600mA guaranteed on OUT1; 1200mA guaranteed on OUT2 - ensures stable core/DSP rail delivery under peak load. |
| Output Voltage Range | 0.6V to 3.3V adjustable via FB1/FB2 resistive dividers - supports dynamic core voltage scaling for ARM Cortex or similar processors. |
| Switching Frequency | ~1.5MHz fixed-frequency hysteretic-PWM - enables use of tiny 2.2µH chip inductors (0805) and reduces EMI filtering burden. |
| No-Load Supply Current | 100µA typical with all four regulators enabled - extends battery life in standby modes of portable devices. |
| LDO Dropout Voltage | 250mV max at 300mA load - allows operation from single-cell Li-ion (3.0V min) while maintaining 2.75V LDO output. |
| Input Voltage Ranges | IN12: 2.6V–5.5V (buck supplies); IN34: 1.7V–5.5V (LDO supplies) - supports flexible multi-rail input sourcing and brownout resilience. |
| Thermal Protection | Shutdown at +160°C junction temperature with 15°C hysteresis - prevents permanent damage during sustained overload or poor PCB thermal design. |
Pinout & Package
MAX8668ETEA+ is housed in a 16-pin, 3mm × 3mm thin QFN package with exposed paddle (EP) that must be connected to GND, PGND1, and PGND2 for thermal and electrical integrity.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (EN3) | LDO3 Enable Input | Active-high logic; drives high or connects to IN34 to activate OUT3; pulls low to disable and reduce quiescent current. |
| 2 (OUT3) | LDO3 Output | 300mA regulated output; requires 4.7µF ceramic bypass to GND; internally discharged via 1kΩ in shutdown. |
| 3 (IN34) | LDO Input Supply | Shared 1.7V–5.5V input for both LDOs; must be ≥ VIN34 and ≤ VIN12; requires ≥4.7µF ceramic decoupling. |
| 4 (OUT4) | LDO4 Output | 300mA regulated output; identical bypass and discharge behavior as OUT3. |
| 5 (EN4) | LDO4 Enable Input | Independent active-high control for OUT4; enables precise power sequencing between analog and I/O rails. |
| 6 (GND) | Analog Ground Reference | Signal ground reference for REF, FB1, FB2, and enable logic; must be low-impedance and separated from PGND where possible. |
| 7 (REF) | Internal Reference Output | 0.600V ±1% precision reference; requires 0.01µF ceramic bypass to GND for stability and noise rejection. |
| 8 (FB2) | OUT2 Feedback Input | Connects to resistor divider between OUT2 and GND to set adjustable output voltage; senses switched-side voltage for positioning. |
| 9 (PGND2) | Power Ground for Buck2 | High-current return path for OUT2 switching loop; must be short, low-inductance connection to EP and IN12 capacitor. |
| 10 (LX2) | Buck2 Switch Node | Connection to 2.2µH inductor; carries high di/dt switching current; requires tight layout with minimal loop area to reduce EMI. |
| 11 (IN12) | Buck Input Supply | 2.6V–5.5V input for both step-down regulators; requires ≥10µF ceramic decoupling close to pin. |
| 12 (LX1) | Buck1 Switch Node | Identical function to LX2 but for OUT1; shares same layout best practices for EMI control and efficiency. |
| 13 (PGND1) | Power Ground for Buck1 | Dedicated high-current return for OUT1; must be routed separately from PGND2 until joined at EP or bulk capacitor. |
| 14 (FB1) | OUT1 Feedback Input | Resistive divider connection point for OUT1 voltage setting; supports voltage positioning for improved transient response. |
| 15 (EN1) | Buck1 Enable Input | Active-high control for OUT1; enables independent startup timing and fault isolation per power rail. |
| 16 (EN2) | Buck2 Enable Input | Independent enable for OUT2; allows staggered ramp-up to limit inrush current across multiple processor domains. |
| EP | Exposed Paddle | Thermal and electrical ground; must be soldered to PCB thermal pad and connected to GND, PGND1, and PGND2. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Individual enable inputs (EN1–EN4) | Enables full power-rail sequencing control - e.g., boot core voltage before I/O or memory rails - reducing system-level inrush and ensuring deterministic startup. |
| Hysteretic-PWM at 1.5MHz | Permits use of 2.2µH 0805 inductors and small ceramic output caps, cutting solution size by >40% vs. lower-frequency alternatives while maintaining <100µA no-load current. |
| Voltage positioning via FB1/FB2 | Compensates for inductor DCR droop during load transients, reducing peak-to-peak output deviation and allowing smaller total output capacitance (e.g., 2.2µF instead of 10µF). |
| Low-noise LDOs (75µVRMS) | Meets stringent analog/RF supply requirements - suitable for powering camera ISPs, audio codecs, or RF front-end bias without added filtering. |
| Ultra-low dropout (130mV min @300mA) | Extends usable battery range: maintains regulated 2.8V LDO output down to ~2.93V input - critical for single-cell Li-ion systems nearing end-of-discharge. |
| Thermal shutdown with hysteresis | Prevents thermal runaway during sustained overload; auto-recovery after 15°C cooldown avoids manual reset and improves field reliability. |
Applications
| Smartphone Application | Digital Camera Power System |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Powering application processor cores (e.g., ARM Cortex-A series), GPU, and memory I/O in a space-constrained smartphone PCB. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual adjustable buck regulators (OUT1/OUT2) deliver dynamically scaled core and I/O voltages; dual LDOs (OUT3/OUT4) supply low-noise analog rails for RF transceivers and camera sensors. Use Value: 100µA no-load current extends standby time; 1.5MHz switching minimizes inductor footprint; individual EN pins allow SoC-controlled sequencing aligned with boot firmware. |
Use Scenario: Providing clean, sequenced power to image signal processor (ISP), CMOS sensor, flash LED driver, and SD card interface in compact digital cameras. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: OUT1 powers ISP core (1.2V), OUT2 powers sensor interface (1.8V), OUT3/OUT4 supply low-noise 2.8V rails for analog front-end and flash control. Use Value: 75µVRMS LDO noise prevents image artifacts; voltage positioning reduces need for large bulk capacitors near sensor; 3mm × 3mm QFN fits tight camera module layouts. |
| Portable MP3 Player | Handheld Medical Instrument |
|
Use Scenario: Delivering regulated power to audio DAC, headphone amplifier, NAND flash, and Bluetooth radio in battery-operated portable audio devices. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Buck converters supply efficient 1.2V/1.8V digital rails; LDOs provide ripple-free 3.3V for audio DAC and 2.8V for RF section. Use Value: 250mV max LDO dropout enables full functionality down to 3.05V battery voltage; 1.5MHz operation eliminates audible switching noise in audio band. |
Use Scenario: Powering precision analog front-end (AFE), microcontroller, display driver, and wireless telemetry module in FDA-cleared handheld diagnostics tools. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: OUT1/OUT2 drive MCU core and peripherals; OUT3/OUT4 supply ultra-low-noise 2.5V/3.0V rails for ADC references and op-amp biasing. Use Value: 0.6V to 3.3V adjustability accommodates diverse IC voltage requirements; 0.600V ±1% REF supports high-accuracy calibration; thermal protection meets medical safety margins. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar dual-buck-with-LDO power management applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TPS65023RSBR | Triple buck + dual LDO; 3.3V/1.8V/1.2V factory-set outputs; no adjustable FB; 2.25MHz switching; higher quiescent current (25µA per buck, 35µA per LDO). | Fixed-output architecture simplifies design but lacks voltage positioning and fine-grained core voltage tuning required for advanced processors. | Select when board space permits larger solution and fixed rails suffice - not suitable for dynamic voltage scaling or noise-sensitive analog rails. |
| RT8070ZSP | Dual adjustable buck only (no integrated LDOs); 0.6V–5.5V output range; 1.5MHz; 600mA/1200mA rating; requires external LDOs for low-noise analog supplies. | Requires additional components and PCB area for LDO functions, increasing BOM count and complexity for noise-critical subsystems. | Choose when LDO requirements are minimal or handled separately; avoid when integrated low-noise analog regulation is mandatory. |
Compared with TPS65023RSBR and RT8070ZSP, the MAX8668ETEA+ uniquely combines adjustable buck outputs with integrated low-noise LDOs in a single 3mm × 3mm package - delivering superior integration for portable systems needing both high-efficiency digital rails and precision analog supplies without external components.
Availability
MAX8668ETEA+ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone power management, digital camera subsystems, portable audio devices, and handheld medical instruments requiring stable component supply and long-term production continuity.
Supply support for MAX8668ETEA+ 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 ICs for demanding applications in communications, computing, and consumer electronics.
The MAX8668ETEA+ belongs to Maxim's portable power management product line, engineered specifically to consolidate multiple voltage rails into minimal footprint solutions for battery-powered devices with strict efficiency, noise, and sequencing requirements.
FAQ
What is the maximum output voltage supported by the MAX8668ETEA+ step-down regulators?
The MAX8668ETEA+ step-down regulators (OUT1 and OUT2) support an adjustable output voltage range from 0.6V to 3.3V, set via external resistor dividers connected to FB1 and FB2 pins. This range is confirmed in the Electrical Characteristics table under "Maximum Adjustable Output Voltage" for MAX8668, with 3.3V specified as the upper limit. Factory presets apply only to the MAX8667 variant.
Does the MAX8668ETEA+ include built-in thermal protection?
Yes, the MAX8668ETEA+ includes thermal-overload protection that shuts down the device when the junction temperature exceeds +160°C, with a 15°C hysteresis. Once cooled below +145°C, it automatically resumes operation. This behavior is documented in the Absolute Maximum Ratings and Detailed Description sections, ensuring safe operation under sustained overload or inadequate PCB thermal design.
Can the MAX8668ETEA+ operate with a single-cell Li-ion battery input?
Yes - the MAX8668ETEA+ supports IN12 input from 2.6V to 5.5V and IN34 from 1.7V to 5.5V, making it compatible with single-cell Li-ion batteries (nominal 3.7V, operating range ~3.0V–4.2V). Its 250mV max LDO dropout and 100µA no-load current ensure functional headroom and extended runtime even near end-of-discharge.
How does voltage positioning work on the MAX8668ETEA+ buck regulators?
Voltage positioning on the MAX8668ETEA+ is implemented via the FB1/FB2 feedback network, which senses voltage at the LX node (switched side of the inductor). As load increases, inductor DCR causes intentional output droop, matching load-transient voltage deviation and reducing required output capacitance. This is explicitly described in the Applications Information section and validated in load regulation plots (toc03/toc04).
What is the recommended input capacitor for the MAX8668ETEA+ step-down regulators?
A 10µF X5R or X7R ceramic capacitor is recommended for the IN12 input (C2 in Figure 4), placed as close as possible to pins 11 (IN12) and 13 (PGND1)/9 (PGND2). This value is specified in the Typical Application Circuit and Capacitor Selection section to suppress switching current peaks and minimize noise coupling into other system rails.
MAX8668ETEA+ Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 16-WFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Topology:
- Step-Down (Buck) Synchronous (2), Linear (LDO) (2)
- Number of Outputs:
- 4
- Frequency - Switching:
- 1.5MHz
- Voltage/Current - Output 1:
- 0.6V ~ 3.3V, 600mA
- Voltage/Current - Output 2:
- 0.6V ~ 3.3V, 1.2A
- Voltage/Current - Output 3:
- 2.8V, 300mA
- w/LED Driver:
- No
- w/Supervisor:
- No
- w/Sequencer:
- No
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.6V ~ 5.5V
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- 16-TQFN (3x3)
MAX8668ETEA+ FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX8668ETEA+ through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX8668ETEA+ 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 MAX8668ETEA+ reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX8668ETEA+ are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX8668ETEA+ is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX8668ETEA+?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX8668ETEA+ transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX8668ETEA+?
MAX8668ETEA+ orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX8668ETEA+ 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 MAX8668ETEA+?
For technical support, including MAX8668ETEA+ datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX8668ETEA+ requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX8668ETEA+ is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX8668ETEA+ 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 MAX8668ETEA+ meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX8668ETEA+?
All MAX8668ETEA+ units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX8668ETEA+, 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 MAX8668ETEA+ part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX8668ETEA+:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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