General Description

The MAX17021 evaluation kit (EV kit) demonstrates the

high-power, dynamically adjustable, multiphase

IMVP-6.5+ notebook CPU application circuit. This

DC-DC converter steps down high-voltage batteries

and/or AC adapters, generating a precision, low-volt-

Intel mobile IMVP-6+ CPU’s transient voltage specifica-

tion, power-good signaling, voltage regulator thermal

monitoring (VRHOT), and power-good output

(PWRGD). The MAX17021 kit consists of the MAX17021

2-phase interleaved Quick-PWM™ step-down con-

troller. The MAX17021 kit includes active voltage posi-

tioning with adjustable gain, reducing power dissipation

and bulk output capacitance requirements. A slew-rate

controller allows controlled transitions between VID

codes, controlled soft-start and shutdown, and con-

trolled exit suspend voltage. Precision slew-rate control

provides “just-in-time” arrival at the new DAC setting,

minimizing surge currents to and from the battery.

Two dedicated system inputs (PSI and DPRSLPVR)

dynamically select the operating mode and number of

active phases, optimizing the overall efficiency during

the CPU’s active and sleep states.

The MAX17021 includes latched output undervoltage-

fault protection, overvoltage-fault protection, and ther-

mal-overload protection. It also includes a voltage regu-

lator power-good (PWRGD) output, a clock enable

(CLKEN) output, and a phase-good (PHASEGD) output.

This fully assembled and tested circuit board provides

a digitally adjustable 0 to 1.5000V output voltage (7-bit

on-board DAC) from a 7V to 24V battery input range.

Each phase is designed for a 20A thermal design cur-

rent, and delivers up to 30A peak output current for a

total of 60A. The EV kit operates at 300kHz switching

frequency (per phase) and has superior line- and load-

transient response.

Features

o Dual-Phase, Fast-Response Interleaved,

Quick-PWM

o Intel IMVP-6+ Code-Set Compliant

(Montevina Socket Configuration)

o Dynamic Phase Selection Optimizes

Active/Sleep Efficiency

o Transient Phase Overlap Reduces Output

Capacitance

o Active Voltage Positioning with Adjustable Gain

o High Speed, Accuracy, and Efficiency

o Low-Bulk Output Capacitor Count

o 7V to 24V Input-Voltage Range

o 0 to 1.5000V Output-Voltage Range (7-Bit DAC)

o 60A Peak Load-Current Capability (30A Each Phase)

o Accurate Current Balance and Current Limit

o 300kHz Switching Frequency (per Phase)

o Power-Good (PWRGD) and Phase-Good

(PHASEGD) Outputs and Indicators

o Clock Enable (CLKEN) and Thermal Fault (VRHOT)

Outputs and Indicators

o Output Overvoltage and Undervoltage Fault

Protections

o 40-Pin Thin QFN Package with Exposed Pad

o Lead(Pb)-Free and RoHS Compliant

o Fully Assembled and Tested

MAX17021 Evaluation Kit

________________________________________________________________

Maxim Integrated Products

1

19-4511; Rev 0; 3/09

Component List

For information on other Maxim products, visit Maxim’s website at www.maxim-ic.com.

Ordering Information

DESIGNATION

QTY

DESCRIPTION

CLKEN,

DPRSLPVR,

GND_SENSE,

PGDIN,

PHASEGD,

PSI,

PWRGD, V3P3,

VOUT_SENSE,

VRHOT, VR_ON

11

Test points

DESIGNATION

QTY

DESCRIPTION

C1–C4

4

10µF ±20%, 25V X5R ceramic

capacitors (1210)

Murata GRM32DR61E106KA12L

TDK C3225X7R1E106M

AVX 12103D106M

Taiyo Yuden TMK325BJ106MM

KEMET C1210C106M3RAC

PART

TYPE

MAX17021EVKIT+

EV Kit

Quick-PWM is a trademark of Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

+

Denotes lead(Pb)-free and RoHS compliant.