Monolithic Power Systems Inc. MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z

Overview

MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z from Monolithic Power Systems is an AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualified synchronous step-down converter delivering 5V fixed output at up to 5A continuous current, with 3.3V–36V input range, 42V load dump tolerance, and 1μA shutdown current. It integrates 60mΩ high-side and 35mΩ low-side MOSFETs in a wettable flank QFN-17 (3mm×4mm) package, designed for automotive power rails in ADAS and infotainment systems.

For engineers reviewing the MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z datasheet, MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z pinout, MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z application, or MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z equivalent, key selection criteria include cold-crank LDO mode support, 20ns minimum on-time, CISPR25 Class 5 EMI compliance, and configurable 350kHz–2.5MHz switching frequency with spread-spectrum modulation.

Technical Context

This buck converter employs zero-delay PWM control with internal gate drivers and supports both forced continuous conduction mode (FCCM) and advanced asynchronous modulation (AAM) for light-load efficiency. Its dual-mode operation enables seamless transition between high-efficiency pulse-skipping and stable regulation under dynamic loads.

The device implements thermal shutdown at 150°C with 20°C hysteresis, over-current protection with hiccup-mode recovery, and precise power-good monitoring with ±6% window (94–106% VOUT). The bootstrap circuit supplies the high-side driver, while symmetric VIN pinout and MeshConnect™ flip-chip packaging reduce EMI and improve thermal performance.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z uses a wettable flank QFN-17 (3mm × 4mm) package with exposed thermal pad for enhanced heat dissipation in automotive under-hood environments.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar synchronous buck converter applications.

Compared with MPQ4348JGLE-5-AEC1-Z, this part offers identical regulation performance in a smaller footprint; versus TPS62933RQWR, it delivers certified automotive robustness at the cost of slightly higher quiescent current (3µA vs. 1.5µA), making it the sole choice for ASIL-B–capable domains.

Availability

MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for automotive instrument clusters, ADAS camera modules, infotainment head units, and gateway ECUs requiring stable component supply with full AEC-Q100 traceability and long-term production support.

Supply support for MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management ICs, with design centers in the US, China, and Taiwan, and global manufacturing partnerships.

This device belongs to MPS's automotive-grade MPQ series, engineered specifically for harsh-environment DC/DC conversion in vehicles - emphasizing AEC-Q100 compliance, extended temperature operation, and EMI-hardened topology.

FAQ

What is the maximum allowable input voltage transient the MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z can withstand?

The device is rated for 42V load dump transients per ISO 7637-2 Pulse 5a, with internal over-voltage protection triggering at 36–40V (rising threshold). This allows direct connection to automotive battery rails without external TVS clamping in most standard architectures.

Does the MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z require an external feedback resistor network?

No. As a fixed 5V output variant, it uses internal resistor dividers and does not expose FB pins. External resistors are unnecessary, reducing BOM count and layout complexity while ensuring factory-trimmed accuracy of ±1.2% over temperature.

How is thermal performance validated for this QFN-17 package in automotive applications?

Thermal resistance is characterized per JESD51-7 on a 4-layer PCB (2oz Cu), yielding θJA = 44.7°C/W and θJC = 5.2°C/W. At 5A load and 12V input, case temperature rise remains below 40°C - verified on MPS EVB EVQ4348-L-00A with 8.3cm×8.3cm layout.

Can the MPQ4348GLE-5-AEC1-Z operate in forced continuous conduction mode (FCCM) at light loads?

Yes. Pulling the SYNCIN/MODE pin high forces FCCM, eliminating audible switching noise and maintaining constant frequency for predictable EMI filtering - essential for noise-sensitive analog or RF subsystems in vehicle cabins.

What is the purpose of the DNU pin, and how must it be connected?

The DNU (Do Not Use) pin must be connected directly to VCC. Leaving it floating risks undefined internal bias conditions and potential malfunction. This connection stabilizes internal reference circuits and ensures consistent startup behavior across temperature and voltage extremes.

Is spread-spectrum modulation enabled by default, or does it require configuration?

Frequency spread spectrum (FSS) is enabled automatically when the FREQ pin is configured for any switching frequency - no external components or register writes are needed. The modulation depth is fixed at ±10%, providing inherent EMI reduction without design overhead.

How does the power-good (PG) signal behave during startup and fault conditions?

PG remains low until VOUT reaches 94% of 5V (4.7V) and stays high only while VOUT remains between 4.7V and 5.3V. During overvoltage (>5.3V) or undervoltage (<4.7V), PG pulls low after 50µs deglitch delay - preventing false resets from brief transients.