Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX8868EUK25
- Part No.:
- MAX8868EUK25
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Package:
- SC-74A, SOT-753
- Datasheet:
-
MAX8868EUK25.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR LDO
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,338
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Product details
Overview
MAX8868EUK25 from Maxim Integrated is a low-noise, low-dropout linear regulator with 2.5V preset output, 150mA output current capability, 30µVRMS output noise, and 165mV dropout at full load - designed for battery-powered handheld instruments requiring stable, clean power under light-to-moderate load.
For engineers reviewing the MAX8868EUK25 datasheet, MAX8868EUK25 pinout, MAX8868EUK25 application, or MAX8868EUK25 equivalent, key selection factors include its auto-discharge function, reverse battery protection, thermal shutdown behavior, and SOT23-5 package compatibility with MAX8863/64 family designs.
Technical Context
The MAX8868EUK25 uses an internal P-channel MOSFET pass transistor (1.1Ω typical RDS(ON)) to achieve ultra-low quiescent current (100µA across all load and dropout conditions) and eliminate base-drive losses inherent in PNP-based LDOs. Its error amplifier compares a 1.25V bandgap reference against feedback from an internal resistor divider tied to OUT.
Unlike the MAX8867, the MAX8868EUK25 integrates active auto-discharge via SHDN assertion - pulling OUT to GND through an internal 300Ω discharge path - and includes BP-pin filtering (0.01µF capacitor) to reduce output noise by forming an 80Hz low-pass filter with an internal 200kΩ resistor.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 2.5V ±1.4% - factory-preset, eliminates external feedback resistors and layout sensitivity. |
| Max Output Current | 150mA - sufficient for RF front-ends, microcontroller cores, and analog sensor biasing in portable devices. |
| Dropout Voltage | 165mV at 150mA - enables operation down to 2.665V input when powering 2.5V loads from single Li-ion cells near end-of-discharge. |
| Output Noise | 30µVRMS (10Hz–100kHz) - supports noise-sensitive ADCs, PLLs, and RF synthesizers without additional filtering. |
| Quiescent Current | 100µA (operating), 10nA (shutdown) - extends battery life in always-on monitoring and sleep-wake applications. |
| Auto-Discharge | 300Ω internal discharge path - ensures rapid, controlled VOUT collapse during shutdown, preventing back-powering of downstream circuitry. |
| Input Voltage Range | 2.5V to 6.5V - compatible with single-cell Li-ion (2.7–4.2V), NiMH (up to 4.8V), and regulated 5V rails. |
Pinout & Package
SOT23-5 regular package (JEDEC MO-178AA), 5-pin surface-mount with exposed pad not present; GND pin serves dual role as electrical ground and thermal heatsink - requires connection to large PCB copper area for thermal management.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 - SHDN | Active-low enable/discharge control | Logic-low asserts shutdown and triggers auto-discharge; must be pulled high (≥VIN) for normal operation. |
| 2 - GND | Power ground and thermal sink | Primary return path; soldered to PCB ground plane to dissipate heat and stabilize regulation. |
| 3 - IN | Regulator input supply | Accepts 2.5V–6.5V; requires ≥1µF ceramic bypass capacitor close to pin for stability and line transient rejection. |
| 4 - OUT | Regulated output | Delivers up to 150mA; requires ≥1µF low-ESR ceramic capacitor to GND for load transient response and stability. |
| 5 - BP | Noise-reduction bypass node | Connects to 0.01µF ceramic capacitor to reduce output noise; forms 80Hz RC filter with internal 200kΩ resistor. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Auto-discharge on shutdown | 300Ω internal discharge path actively pulls OUT to GND - prevents residual voltage from interfering with system reset sequencing. |
| Reverse battery protection | Limits reverse current to ≤1mA if VIN or SHDN falls below GND - protects IC and upstream battery during accidental polarity reversal. |
| Thermal shutdown with hysteresis | Triggers at +155°C junction temperature with +15°C hysteresis - enables self-recovery after cooling without external intervention. |
| P-channel MOSFET pass element | 1.1Ω typical RDS(ON) - delivers consistent 100µA quiescent current regardless of load or dropout condition, unlike PNP-based regulators. |
| Current limiting | 160mA minimum to 500mA maximum foldback limit - sustains indefinite short-circuit without damage while maintaining safe junction temperatures. |
Applications
| Hand-Held Instruments | PCMCIA Cards |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Portable multimeters and handheld oscilloscopes powered by two AA alkaline cells (2.4–3.2V). IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 2.5V supply for precision ADC front-end and microcontroller core. Use Value: 30µVRMS noise ensures <1 LSB error in 16-bit ADC conversions; 165mV dropout allows full instrument operation until battery voltage drops to 2.665V. | Use Scenario: Hot-pluggable PCMCIA modem cards drawing burst current up to 120mA during data transmission. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Local 2.5V LDO for UART and line-driver ICs, decoupled from noisy host bus voltage. Use Value: Auto-discharge ensures VOUT collapses within microseconds upon card ejection, preventing backfeed into host logic. |
| Palmtop Computers | Electronic Planners |
Use Scenario: Early-generation palmtops (e.g., PalmPilot) using single Li-ion cell (3.0–4.2V) to power 2.5V ASIC and SRAM banks. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Main system LDO delivering clean 2.5V rail with fast load-transient response to CPU clock-gating events. Use Value: 12mV load-step deviation (0→50mA) and 100µA quiescent current extend runtime between charges by >15% versus standard LDOs. | Use Scenario: Memory-retentive electronic organizers operating from coin-cell batteries (CR2032, 3.0V nominal) with infrequent wake-up cycles. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Always-on 2.5V supply for real-time clock and nonvolatile memory controller. Use Value: 10nA shutdown current minimizes annual coin-cell drain to <1% capacity, enabling >5-year shelf life without battery replacement. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar low-noise LDO regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAX8867EUK25 | No auto-discharge; identical pinout, noise, dropout, and quiescent current. | Preferred where output hold-up during shutdown is required (e.g., state retention in RAM). | Select MAX8867EUK25 only if auto-discharge is undesirable and BP/SHDN pin functions must match legacy MAX8863/64 layouts. |
| TCS2115-2.5 | Higher 50µVRMS noise; 200mV dropout at 150mA; no reverse battery protection. | Lacks auto-discharge and reverse-battery safety - unsuitable for consumer handhelds with user-replaceable batteries. | Consider TCS2115-2.5 only for cost-sensitive industrial modules with fixed, polarity-protected power inputs and relaxed noise requirements. |
Compared with MAX8867EUK25, the MAX8868EUK25 adds critical auto-discharge for safe hot-swap and reset integrity, while TCS2115-2.5 trades noise performance and protection features for lower unit cost in non-portable applications.
Availability
MAX8868EUK25 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for handheld instrumentation, PCMCIA peripherals, palmtop computing, and electronic planners requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for MAX8868EUK25 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 industrial, communications, and consumer applications.
The MAX8867/MAX8868 product line was engineered specifically for ultra-low-noise, low-quiescent-current regulation in space-constrained, battery-powered portable electronics - prioritizing output stability, thermal resilience, and reverse-polarity survivability.
FAQ
What is the exact output voltage tolerance of the MAX8868EUK25?
The MAX8868EUK25 has a factory-trimmed output voltage of 2.5V with ±1.4% accuracy over the full operating temperature range (-40°C to +85°C). This specification is guaranteed by 100% production testing at +25°C and correlated across temperature using Statistical Quality Control methods - meaning actual units will measure between 2.465V and 2.535V under worst-case conditions.
Does the MAX8868EUK25 require an external BP capacitor to function?
Yes - the MAX8868EUK25 requires a 0.01µF ceramic capacitor connected between BP and GND to achieve its specified 30µVRMS output noise. Omitting this capacitor increases output noise significantly (to ~70µVRMS), degrades PSRR above 1kHz, and may cause instability under certain load transients. The BP capacitor also sets startup time and shutdown exit delay, so values outside 0.01–0.1µF are not recommended.
How does the auto-discharge feature of the MAX8868EUK25 operate during shutdown?
When SHDN is pulled low, the MAX8868EUK25 activates an internal 300Ω discharge path between OUT and GND. This actively pulls the output voltage to ground within tens of microseconds - far faster than passive discharge through load leakage. The discharge remains active as long as SHDN is held low, ensuring no residual voltage interferes with downstream reset sequencing or hot-swap detection circuits.
Can the MAX8868EUK25 be used with input voltages below 2.5V?
No - the absolute minimum input voltage for the MAX8868EUK25 is 2.5V, as specified in the Absolute Maximum Ratings and Electrical Characteristics tables. Operation below 2.5V violates the device's functional design margin and may result in unregulated output, increased noise, or failure to maintain regulation. For sub-2.5V inputs, consider ultra-low-input LDOs such as the MAX1725 or TPS7A05 series.
Is the MAX8868EUK25 pin-compatible with the MAX8863/MAX8864 family?
Yes - the MAX8868EUK25 is pin-compatible with the MAX8863 and MAX8864 in SOT23-5 packages, except for the BP pin (pin 5), which is a no-connect on MAX8863/64 but functional on MAX8868EUK25. When replacing MAX8863/64 with MAX8868EUK25, connect BP to a 0.01µF capacitor; leaving it floating or shorted to GND will degrade noise performance and may affect stability.
MAX8868EUK25 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- SC-74A, SOT-753
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 6.5V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 2.5V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 0.165V @ 150mA (Typ)
- Current - Output:
- 150mA
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 180 µA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- 100 µA
- PSRR:
- 63dB (10kHz)
- Control Features:
- Enable
- Protection Features:
- Over Current, Over Temperature, Reverse Polarity, Short Circuit
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Surface Mount
- Supplier Device Package:
- SOT-23-5
MAX8868EUK25 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for MAX8868EUK25 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for MAX8868EUK25 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 MAX8868EUK25 reliable?
The price and inventory of MAX8868EUK25 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for MAX8868EUK25 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for MAX8868EUK25?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for MAX8868EUK25 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for MAX8868EUK25?
MAX8868EUK25 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your MAX8868EUK25 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 MAX8868EUK25?
For technical support, including MAX8868EUK25 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your MAX8868EUK25 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that MAX8868EUK25 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All MAX8868EUK25 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 MAX8868EUK25 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of MAX8868EUK25?
All MAX8868EUK25 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with MAX8868EUK25, 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 MAX8868EUK25 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for MAX8868EUK25:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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