Integrated USB-C buck charger shrinks by 30 per cent
With no need for a separate host controller, the MAX77860 reduces complexity and simplifies software development, says Maxim Integrated. The 3.0A switch-mode charger is a USB-C buck charger that is believed to be the industry’s first integrated USB-C port controller and charger to eliminate the need for a separate host controller, simplify software development and reduce overall bill of materials. It can be used in financial point of sale terminals, power banks, industrial computers, scanners, radios, medical devices, charging cradles, portable speakers and game players.
As consumer electronic devices migrate to USB-C interfaces, driven by the need to support rapidly advancing communication and battery-charging capabilities, as well as smaller design size, USB-C adoption rates are expected to grow at 8.5 per cent a year this year to 2020 (according to IDTechEx).
The MAX77860 integrates USB-C configuration channel (CC) port detection and a battery charger for 15W applications. These integrated functions allow battery charging at the fastest rate possible under the USB-C specification and contribute to 30 per cent smaller design size, explains Maxim. These features also simplify software development. The CC pin detection feature also shortens the design effort by eliminating the need to support end-to-end USB port connection and allowing charging to start automatically.
The level of integration eliminates the need for a separate port controller and many discrete components. It reduces the size of an inductor and a capacitor due to a high switching frequency of 2MHz/4MHz.
The high-efficiency buck reduces heat dissipation with more than 93 per cent efficiency and up to 3.0A charging capability.
The MAX77860 is backwards compatible with both USB-C and legacy BC1.2 or proprietary adapters. Integrated An integrated ADC frees up resources in the microcontroller, while providing accurate voltage and current measurements, adds Maxim.
The MAX77860 is available now in a small package, measuring 3.9 x 4.0mm. An evaluation kit, the MAX77860EVKIT is also available.
