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.