The device employs low-side MOSFET sensing to provide a low-cost, highly efficient current sense for valley current-limit protection. Combined with output overvoltage- and undervoltage-protection features, this current limit ensures robust output supplies. These 5V/3.3V SMPS outputs can save power by operating in pulse-skipping mode, or in ultrasonic mode to avoid audible noise.
Maxim’s proprietary, Quick-PWM architecture enables the MAX17031 to handle fast load steps while maintaining a relatively constant operating frequency and inductor operating point over a wide range of input voltages. This approach circumvents the poor load-transient timing problems of fixed-frequency, current-mode PWMs, while also avoiding the problems caused by widely varying switching frequencies in conventional constant-on-time and constant-off-time PWM schemes.
The MAX17031 is available in a tiny, 4mm x 4mm, 24-pin TQFN package, and is fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius extended industrial temperature range.