5x6 Smart Power-Stage IC with Integrated Current and Temperature Sensors

The MAX20856 is a feature-rich smart power-stage IC designed to work with Analog Devices’ controllers to implement a high-density multiphase voltage regulator. Multiple smart power-stage ICs plus a controller provide a compact synchronous buck converter that includes accurate individual phase current and temperature reporting through PMBus™. This smart power-stage device includes fault-protection circuits for overtemperature, VX short, I/O open/short, supply undervoltage lockout (UVLO), and main power-supply overvoltage lockout (OVLO). The MAX20856 immediately shuts down on fault detection, communicating the FaultID to the controller.

Monolithic integration and advanced packaging technology allow high-switching frequencies with significantly lower losses than conventional implementations. Phase-shedding and discontinuous conduction modes (DCM) optimize efficiency over a wide range of load currents. The MAX20856 integrates an internal LDO, simplifying bias generation for applications that do not have 1.8V available.

The MAX20856 is available in a 41-pin FC2QFN package.

APPLICATIONS

* High-Current Multiphase-Voltage Regulators

* VR13, VR13.HC, and VR14 CPU

* Networking ASICs

* AI, Machine Learning Cores, and GPUs

* Servers, Workstations, and Enterprise Storage

* Communications and Networking Equipment

* Space-Optimized Solution

* Monolithic, Smart Power Stage

* Phase-Current Steering for Thermal Balance

* Small Footprint: 30mm2

* 96.1% Peak Efficiency

* 8-phase, 400kHz, 12V VIN, 1.8V VOUT

* 300kHz to 1.3MHz Switching Frequency

* Telemetry and Fault Reporting through Controller IC PMBus

* Accurate Temperature Monitoring and Reporting

* Accurate Per-Phase Current Reporting

* FaultID Indicates Type of Fault

* Advanced Self-Protection Features*

* Supply and Boost UVLO Protection

* Input Supply OVLO Protection

* Boost Refresh

* VX Short and Overtemperature Shutdown

* VX Open and Short Detection at Power-Up

* Fast Overcurrent Protection

* Inductor Saturation Protection

* Open/Short Pin Detection During Startup

* *Protection features vary with different part variants