General Description
The MAX20846 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™. These smart power-stage
devices include fault-protection circuits for
overtemperature, VX short, I/O open/short, supply
undervoltage lockout (UVLO), and main power-supply
overvoltage lockout (OVLO). The MAX20846
immediately shuts down on fault detection,
communicating the Fault_ID 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 MAX20846 integrates
an internal LDO simplifying bias generation for
applications that do not have 1.8V available.
The MAX20846 is available in a 4mm x 6mm, 34-pin
FC2QFN package.
Applications
• High-Current Multiphase-Voltage Regulators
• VR13, VR13.HC, and VR14 CPU and Memory
• Networking ASICs
• AI and Machine Learning ASICs
• Graphics Processors
• Servers, Workstations, and Enterprise Storage
• Communications and Networking Equipment
Benefits and Features
• Space-Optimized Solution
• Monolithic, Smart Power Stage
• Phase-Current Steering for Thermal Balance
• Small Footprint: 24mm2
• 96.1% Peak Efficiency
• 6-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
• Fault_ID Indicates Parallel Phase Fault Type
• 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.