With a small size and improved efficiency, the regulator is suitable for industrial, asset tracking, automotive and healthcare applications
High efficiency backup power using a supercapacitor or any other energy source can now be delivered with the Continua MAX38889 2.5V-to-5.5V, 3A reversible buck/boost regulator from Maxim Integrated Products. Its output regulation of 2.5 per cent supports critical applications that demand high accuracy.
The MAX38889 features 94 per cent peak efficiency, which is 9 per cent higher than other similar solutions, allowing it to support longer backup time. Available at one-third the size, it enables easier integration into space-constrained designs.
In applications such as smart utility meters or automotive dashboard cameras, the MAX38889 Continua regulator operates in buck mode to charge a backup power source, such as a supercapacitor. When the main power goes away, the regulator automatically reverses direction, thus boosting the supercapacitor voltage to power the system, until main power is restored.
Being 64 per cent smaller (218mm2 versus 606mm2) than other solutions, the MAX38889 allows designers to reduce component count, cut board space and save BOM cost. The smaller size also makes its integration easier into new and existing designs that have tight space constraints. The MAX38889 regulates backup power for a wide range of both portable and non-portable applications, such as retail price scanners and surveillance cameras, and others used in home, building, automotive, industrial automation and healthcare IoT.
Key Advantages
- High Efficiency: 94 per cent peak efficiency
- Small Size: Has one-third the size of other solutions
- Tight Regulation: Delivers 2.5 per cent voltage regulation demanded by 5V applications
“Maxim’s Continua family of backup voltage regulators uses advanced switching regulator design to deliver bi-directional buck/boost featuring tight output regulation that minimises space while increasing power efficiency,” said Anil Telikepalli, managing director of the Core Products Group at Maxim Integrated. “This is the third product from our Continua line as Maxim strives to enable always-on applications by solving the design engineer’s toughest backup power challenges.”
The MAX38889 can be obtained at Maxim Integrated’s website and from authorised distributors. The MAX38889EVKIT# evaluation kit and EE-Sim models are also available.
