The MAX15046 synchronous step-down controller operates from a 4.5V to 40V input voltage range and generates an adjustable output voltage from 85% of the input voltage down to 0.6V, supporting loads up to 25A. The device allows monotonic startup into a prebiased bus without discharging the output and features adaptive internal digital soft-start.

The MAX15046 offers the ability to adjust the switching frequency from 100kHz to 1MHz with an external resistor. The MAX15046's adaptive synchronous rectification eliminates the need for an external freewheeling Schottky diode. The device also utilizes the external low-side MOSFET's on-resistance as a current-sense element, eliminating the need for a current-sense resistor. This protects the DC-DC components from damage during output overloaded conditions or output short-circuit faults without requiring a current-sense resistor. Hiccup-mode current limit reduces power dissipation during short-circuit conditions. The MAX15046 includes a power-good output and an enable input with precise turn-on/turn-off threshold, which can be used for input supply monitoring and for power sequencing.

Additional protection features include sink-mode current limit, and thermal shutdown. Sink-mode current limit prevents reverse inductor current from reaching dangerous levels when the device is sinking current from the output.

The MAX15046A/MAX15046B feature soft-stop operation. Soft-stop operation is disabled in the MAX15046C.

The MAX15046 is available in a 16-pin QSOP or 16-pin QSOP-EP package and operates over the -40°C to +125°C temperature range.