Maxim Unveils Continua Backup Voltage Regulator
Maxim Integrated has rolled out highly efficient and having smallest size, Continua MAX38889 2.5V-to-5.5V, 3A reversible buck/boost regulator for the system architects seeking backup power using supercapacitor or other energy sources.
The latest addition to Maxim’s Continua family of backup regulators delivers the industry’s tightest output regulation of 2.5 percent to support critical applications that demand high accuracy.
“Maxim’s Continua family of backup voltage regulators uses advanced switching regulator design to deliver bi-directional buck/boost featuring tight output regulation that minimizes 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.”
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 reverses direction automatically, boosting the supercapacitor voltage to power the system, until main power is restored.
For convenient adoption, the entire MAX38889 solution is 64 percent smaller than the closest competitor (218mm2 vs. 606mm2), allowing designers to reduce component count, cut board space and save BOM cost.
The smaller size also makes it easier to integrate into new and existing designs with 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 the home, building, automotive, industrial automation and healthcare IoT.
Key Advantages
- Highest Efficiency: 94 percent peak efficiency is 9 percent higher than the closest competitor
- Smallest Size: One-third the size of the closest competitive solution
- Tightest Regulation: Delivers 2.5 percent voltage regulation demanded by 5V application
