The newly launched product is a viable solution for charger designers to offer complete automotive USB charging at a reduced size and cost
Automotive multimedia hubs, including rear-seat entertainment modules and head units, are all expanding in capability as more USB PD chargers are integrated into passenger vehicle cabins. However, there are a certain size, cost and power constraints.
To address these, Maxim Integrated has launched the MAX25430 100W USB Power Delivery (PD) buck-boost controller and protector. Now designers of automotive chargers can have a small and low-cost solution at their expense for an increasing number of USB PD ports in vehicles.
The MAX25430 integrates a USB Type C Port Controller (TCPC) power regulator, VCONN cable power supply, buck-boost and protection thereby eliminating heat-sink requirements and metal box enclosures that reduce design size by 40 per cent (as compared to alternative multi-IC solutions). Besides, bill-of-materials (BOM) costs are also reduced by 25 per cent.
The MAX25430 has the capability to run 20 degrees Celsius cooler at full power (compared to other automotive USB PD solutions). It needs only one microcontroller (MCU) regardless of the number of ports, instead of multiple MCUs per port.
For a complete solution, Maxim Integrated also offers the MAX25410 automotive USB PD port protector and the MAX25431 automotive 40V H-bridge buck-boost controller, meeting a wide array of USB charger design needs.
Key Features
- Small Size: Integrated TCPC power regulator, VCONN power cable supply, buck-boost and protection to reduce solution size by up to 40 per cent.
- Low Cost: Eliminates heat sinks, enclosure boxes and multiple MCUs to yield 25 per cent cost savings.
- High Power Performance: Robust performance in harsh automotive environments while running 20 degrees cooler.
“Maxim Integrated had the needs of designers in mind when it comes to USB-C Power Delivery ports,” said Michael Mishko, director of business management for the Automotive Business Unit at Maxim Integrated. “The MAX25430 is ideal for small, high-efficiency, thermally-cool and flexible automotive-grade designs.”
“Automakers are expanding the number of USB-C Power Delivery ports in cars,” said Richard Robinson, automotive director at Strategy Analytics. “With the market increasing nearly 10x between 2020 (5.7 million units) and 2027 (50 million units), Maxim Integrated is well-positioned to take advantage of the significant increase in the in-cabin requirement for higher-power and faster data transfer on consumer devices.”
The MAX25430BATLG/V+T is available at Maxim Integrated’s website and from authorized distributors. The MAX25430AEVKIT# evaluation kit is also available.
