MAX1777/MAX1977/MAX1999
High-Efficiency, Quad Output, Main Power-
Supply Controllers for Notebook Computers
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Adaptive dead-time circuits monitor the DL_ and DH_
drivers and prevent either FET from turning on until the
other is fully off. This algorithm allows operation without
shoot-through with a wide range of MOSFETs, minimiz-
ing delays and maintaining efficiency. There must be
low-resistance, low-inductance paths from the gate dri-
vers to the MOSFET gates for the adaptive dead-time cir-
cuit to work properly. Otherwise, the sense circuitry
interprets the MOSFET gate as “off” when there is actual-
ly charge left on the gate. Use very short, wide traces
measuring 10 to 20 squares (50mils to 100mils wide if
the MOSFET is 1in from the device).
POR, UVLO, and Internal Digital
Soft-Start
Power-on reset (POR) occurs when V+ rises above
approximately 1V, resetting the undervoltage, over-
voltage, and thermal-shutdown fault latches. LDO5
undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuitry inhibits switching
when LDO5 is below 4V. DL_ is low if PRO is disabled;
DL_ is high if PRO is enabled. The output voltages
begin to ramp up as LDO5 rises above 4V. The internal
digital soft-start timer begins to ramp up the maximum
allowed current limit during startup. The 1.7ms ramp
occurs in five steps: 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%.
Power-Good Output (PGOOD)
The PGOOD comparator continuously monitors both out-
put voltages for undervoltage conditions. PGOOD is
actively held low in shutdown, standby, and soft-start.
PGOOD releases and digital soft-start terminates when
both outputs reach the error-comparator threshold.
PGOOD goes low if either output turns off or is 10%
below its nominal regulation point. PGOOD is a true
open-drain output. Note that PGOOD is independent of
the state of PRO.
Fault Protection
The MAX1777/MAX1977/MAX1999 provide over/under-
voltage fault protection. Drive PRO low to activate fault
protection. Drive PRO high to disable fault protection.
Once activated, the devices continuously monitor for
both undervoltage and overvoltage conditions.
Overvoltage Protection
When the output voltage is 11% above the set voltage,
the overvoltage fault protection activates. The synchro-
nous rectifier turns on 100% and the high-side MOSFET
turns off. This rapidly discharges the output capacitors,
decreasing the output voltage. The output voltage may
dip below ground. For loads that cannot tolerate a neg-
ative voltage, place a power Schottky diode across the
output to act as a reverse-polarity clamp. In practical
applications, there is a fuse between the power source
(battery) and the external high-side switches. If the
overvoltage condition is caused by a short in the high-
side switch, turning the synchronous rectifier on 100%
creates an electrical short between the battery and
GND, blowing the fuse and disconnecting the battery
from the output. Once an overvoltage fault condition is
set, it can only be reset by toggling SHDN, ON_, or
cycling V+ (POR).
Undervoltage Protection
When the output voltage is 30% below the set voltage
for over 22ms (undervoltage shutdown blanking time),
the undervoltage fault protection activates. Both SMPSs
stop switching. The two outputs start to discharge (see
the Discharge Mode (Soft-Stop) section). When the out-
put voltage drops to 0.3V, the synchronous rectifiers
turn on, clamping the outputs to GND. Toggle SHDN,
ON_, or cycle V+ (POR) to clear the undervoltage fault
latch.
Thermal Protection
The MAX1777/MAX1977/MAX1999 have thermal shut-
down to protect the devices from overheating. Thermal
shutdown occurs when the die temperature exceeds
+160°C. All internal circuitry shuts down during thermal
shutdown. The MAX1777/MAX1977/MAX1999 may trig-
ger thermal shutdown if LDO_ is not bootstrapped from
OUT_ while applying a high input voltage on V+ and
drawing the maximum current (including short circuit)
from LDO_. Even if LDO_ is bootstrapped from OUT_,
overloading the LDO_ causes large power dissipation
on the bootstrap switches, which may result in thermal
shutdown. Cycling SHDN, ON3, or ON5, or a V+ (POR)
ends the thermal shutdown state.
Discharge Mode (Soft-Stop)
When PRO is low, and a transition to standby or shut-
down mode occurs, or the output undervoltage fault
latch is set, the outputs discharge to GND through an
internal 12Ω switch, until the output voltages decrease
to 0.3V. The reference remains active to provide an
accurate threshold and to provide overvoltage protec-
tion. When both SMPS outputs discharge to 0.3V, the
DL_ synchronous rectifier drivers are forced high. The
synchronous rectifier drivers clamp the SMPS outputs
to GND. When PRO is high, the SMPS outputs do not
discharge, and the DL_ synchronous rectifier drivers
remain low.
Shutdown Mode
Drive SHDN below the precise SHDN input falling-edge
trip level to place the MAX1777/MAX1977/MAX1999 in
its low-power shutdown state. The MAX1777/MAX1977/
MAX1999 consume only 6µA of quiescent current while
