Maxim Integrated MAX8523EEE

Description
The MAX8523 is a high-speed, dual-phase gate driver designed for multiphase, step-down converters. It is used in conjunction with the MAX8524/MAX8525 multiphase controllers to provide flexible 2- to 8-phase CPU core-voltage supplies. The MAX8523 features a low-side driver resistance of 0.592/0.950, allowing up to 30A output current per phase. Each MOSFET driver can drive 3000pF capacitive loads with a propagation delay of only 15ns and typical rise and fall times of 11ns, enabling operation up to 1.2MHz per phase. Adaptive deadtime control minimizes shoot-through current, while user-programmable dead time control optimizes efficiency. The MAX8523 also includes an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit for proper power-on sequencing.

Features
6A peak gate-drive current
Up to 1.2MHz operation
Up to 6.5V gate-drive voltage
0.592/0.950 low-side drivers
Capable of 30A output per phase
Adaptive shoot-through protection
User-programmable delay time
TTL and CMOS input compatible
UVLO for proper sequencing
Flexible 2- to 8-phase implementation with MAX8524 and MAX8525
Space-saving (4.9mm x 6mm) 16-pin QSOP package

Applications
Core voltage supplies for Pentium IV microprocessors
Servers and workstations
Desktop computers
Voltage regulator modules (VRMs)
DC-to-DC regulator modules: switches, routers, and storage