MAX15300ETI+ - Auto-Comp Digital PoL Controller, QFN-28 | Maxim Integrated
MPN: MAX15300ETI+ ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $11.5 | $11.50 |
| 10 | $10.2 | $102.00 |
| 100 | $8.95 | $895.00 |
| 500 | $7.6 | $3,800.00 |
| 1,000 | $6.4 | $6,400.00 |
MAX15300ETI+ Overview
A point-of-load controller is a device category that sits between a board-level DC intermediate bus and a load IC (CPU, SoC, FPGA, ASIC) and uses external MOSFETs to deliver a tightly regulated low-voltage, high-current rail. Auto-Comp controllers like the MAX15300 belong to the switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller family, which in turn falls under the broader power management IC hierarchy. Adaptive digital compensation eliminates the manual loop-tuning step required by traditional analog PWM controllers, reducing engineering time across multiple output voltages on a single board.
Key features of the MAX15300ETI+ include programmable output voltage via PMBus commands, automatic loop compensation, current and voltage telemetry for monitoring, fault protection with configurable thresholds, synchronization to an external clock, and a power-good indicator. The controller supports multi-rail sequencing and margin testing through the digital interface, which is essential in systems where downstream rails must come up in a deterministic order. The exposed pad on the QFN package improves thermal conduction from the internal driver stages to the PCB copper pour.
The MAX15300ETI+ uses a peak-current-mode control architecture with an internal ADC sampling the output voltage, and adjusts compensation parameters automatically based on the output filter characteristics, switching frequency, and load transients. The digital core can log fault events and report them via the PMBus STATUS registers, simplifying board-level diagnostics during factory test and field operation. Programmable switching frequency supports trade-offs between inductor size, switching loss, and transient response.
Typical applications for the MAX15300ETI+ include core and I/O voltage rails for networking ASICs, FPGA and SoC auxiliary rails in industrial embedded systems, server memory and processor point-of-load regulators, and base-station digital signal processing card supplies. The PMBus interface also enables remote firmware updates and adaptive voltage scaling in energy-aware data center designs.
When designing with this controller, choose external MOSFETs with adequate SOA margin at the programmed switching frequency, and place the current-sense network as close to the inductor as PCB layout allows to minimize noise pickup on the feedback path. The exposed pad must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternative candidates, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, supporting faster component selection by power and digital hardware engineers.
Drop-in alternatives for MAX15300ETI+ — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with MAX15300ETI+ (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Control Method, Digital Interface, Output Voltage Range, Package, Topology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MAX15301ETI+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX15302ETI+
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX15300ETI+T
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$8.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →MAX15300ETI
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LTC3880EUJ
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
UCD9222RGZR
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MAX15300ETI+ Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Function | Digital Point-of-Load (PoL) DC-DC Controller |
| Topology | Non-isolated synchronous buck (step-down), external MOSFETs |
| Control Method | Peak current mode with Adaptive Auto-Comp digital loop |
| Digital Interface | PMBus / SMBus compatible |
| Output Voltage Range | Programmable via PMBus (down to sub-1V, see datasheet for exact range) |
| Number of Outputs | 1 |
| Output Current Capability | Set by external MOSFETs / inductor; controller is not load-limited internally |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C (extended industrial) |
| Package | 28-pin QFN (TQFN-28), exposed pad |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (lead-free +RoHS suffix) |
| Fault Protection | OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP (configurable via PMBus) |
| Features | Adaptive Auto-Comp, PMBus telemetry, sequencing, margining, power-good |
MAX15300ETI+ Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 2 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 3 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 4 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 5 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 6 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 7 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 8 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 9 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 10 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 11 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 12 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 13 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 14 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 15 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 16 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 17 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 18 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 19 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 20 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 21 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 22 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 23 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 24 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 25 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 26 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 27 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 28 | [DATA_NEEDED] — Pin function per Maxim datasheet pin description table |
| Pin 29 | EP (Exposed Pad) — Thermal and electrical ground - must be soldered to ground copper pour |
Typical Applications
MAX15300ETI+ is suitable for 6 applications: FPGA Core and I/O Point-of-Load Rails, Server and Datacenter ASIC Power, Telecom and Networking Card Rails, Industrial Embedded Computing, Test and Measurement Instrumentation, Base Station Digital Signal Processing.
FPGA Core and I/O Point-of-Load Rails
The MAX15300ETI+ is well matched to FPGA core, auxiliary, and I/O rails because it can program VOUT down to sub-1V levels required by modern FPGAs (e.g. Xilinx 7-series, Intel Cyclone/Stratix) and provides adaptive Auto-Comp digital loop tuning. With external MOSFETs sized for the load, the controller delivers 5 A to 30 A or more with high step-load transient response. The PMBus VOUT_COMMAND and VOUT_MARGIN registers support dynamic voltage scaling during FPGA low-power states, improving system energy efficiency. The exposed pad on the QFN-28 package dissipates driver-stage losses while the external MOSFETs handle main conduction loss.
Recommended
Server and Datacenter ASIC Power
In server motherboards and accelerator cards, the MAX15300ETI+ powers processor, memory, and ASIC rails directly from the 12 V intermediate bus. Its PMBus telemetry (READ_VIN, READ_IIN, READ_IOUT, READ_TEMPERATURE) enables runtime monitoring required for data center power management frameworks. Adaptive voltage scaling via PMBus commands reduces energy consumption during low-utilization periods, lowering PUE. The exposed pad and QFN-28 footprint simplify layout in dense multi-rail designs where multiple digital PoL controllers share a common ground pour.
Recommended
Telecom and Networking Card Rails
Networking ASICs and DSP chips on line cards, switches, and routers require tightly regulated, sequenced, and monitored voltage rails - the MAX15300ETI+ delivers all three via PMBus. Its adaptive Auto-Comp retunes the loop when output voltage changes (e.g. different ASIC SKU requiring a different VDD core voltage), eliminating manual re-tuning across product variants. The fault flags (OVP, UVP, OCP, OTP) report via STATUS registers, enabling remote diagnostics before dispatching field service. The QFN-28 exposed pad provides good thermal performance for the high-side driver bias stage.
Recommended
Industrial Embedded Computing
Industrial PCs, machine vision platforms, and PLC controllers embed SoCs and FPGAs that require tightly regulated multi-rail power. The MAX15300ETI+ digital PoL architecture enables deterministic rail sequencing, adaptive voltage scaling, and fault telemetry over PMBus, all critical for industrial reliability and remote monitoring. Industrial temperature rating (-40C to +85C) supports deployment in factory automation cabinets and outdoor enclosures. The exposed pad of the QFN-28 package allows direct soldering to industrial-grade copper pours for robust thermal performance.
Recommended
Test and Measurement Instrumentation
ATE and bench instruments use the MAX15300ETI+ to power DSP and ADC ASICs where supply noise directly impacts measurement accuracy. The PMBus margin commands (VOUT_MARGIN_HIGH, VOUT_MARGIN_LOW) are used during factory calibration to verify regulator behavior at +/- 5% of nominal VOUT. Adaptive Auto-Comp ensures the loop remains stable across the full programmed output voltage range without manual retuning. The exposed pad on QFN-28 helps dissipate losses when operating at high switching frequency in dense instrument chassis.
Recommended
Base Station Digital Signal Processing
Wireless base station baseband cards use the MAX15300ETI+ to deliver sub-1V core rails to high-performance DSP and ASIC chips from a 12 V or 5 V bus. PMBus-controlled dynamic voltage scaling reduces power consumption during low-traffic periods, an important metric for cellular base station operating expense. Adaptive Auto-Comp supports output voltage changes triggered by baseband workload transitions without re-tuning. The exposed pad and QFN-28 footprint integrate cleanly with the multi-rail power tree common in modern base station designs.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MAX15300ETI+ — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MAX15301ETI+ | MAX15302ETI+ | MAX15300ETI+T | LTC3880EUJ | UCD9222RGZR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | QFN-28 (exposed pad) | QFN-28 - same | QFN-28 - same | QFN-28 - same | QFN-28 (UJ) - similar | QFN-28 (RGZ) - similar |
| Brand | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Maxim Integrated | Analog Devices | Texas Instruments |
| Function | Auto-Comp Digital PoL Controller | Auto-Comp Digital PoL Controller | Auto-Comp Digital PoL Controller | Auto-Comp Digital PoL Controller | Digital PoL Controller (PMBus) | Digital PoL Controller (PMBus) |
| Digital Interface | PMBus / SMBus | PMBus / SMBus | PMBus / SMBus | PMBus / SMBus | PMBus / SMBus | PMBus |
| Auto-Compensation | Yes (Maxim Auto-Comp) | Yes (Maxim Auto-Comp) | Yes (Maxim Auto-Comp) | Yes (Maxim Auto-Comp) | Yes (analog, configurable) | Yes (TI Fusion Digital Power) |
| Topology | Sync Buck (external FETs) | Sync Buck (external FETs) | Sync Buck (external FETs) | Sync Buck (external FETs) | Sync Buck (external FETs) | Sync Buck (external FETs) |
| Operating Temperature | -40C to +85C | -40C to +85C (typical for family) | -40C to +85C (typical for family) | -40C to +85C | -40C to +125C (industrial E-grade) | -40C to +85C |
| Telemetry | V, I, Temp via PMBus | V, I, Temp via PMBus | V, I, Temp via PMBus | V, I, Temp via PMBus | V, I, Temp via PMBus | V, I, Temp via PMBus |
Key Differentiators
- Maxim-proprietary Auto-Comp adaptive digital compensation (vs LTC3880EUJ)
- Lower bus voltage variant in same QFN-28 family (vs MAX15301ETI+)
- Higher-pin-count QFN-28 footprint enables richer PMBus telemetry (vs UCD9222RGZR)
Design Notes
The MAX15300ETI+ QFN-28 exposed pad is the primary thermal path; it must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour with multiple thermal vias to inner/outer ground planes. The controller itself dissipates only driver and quiescent loss - main power loss is in the external MOSFETs. Without a properly soldered exposed pad, junction temperature can exceed 125C under full load, triggering OTP. Estimated: assume theta_JA of approximately 30-35 C/W on a 1 sq inch 4-layer PCB pour.
Place the current-sense resistor (or inductor DCR sense network) within 5 mm of the controller sense pins to minimize noise pickup on the analog feedback path. Use Kelvin connections to the sense element. Keep the high-di/dt switching node (SW, BST) traces short and away from sensitive analog feedback traces; route them on inner layers if possible. The PMBus SDA/SCL traces should be kept short and pulled up to 3.3 V via 2.2 kohm resistors placed near the controller.
Verify UVLO threshold against the actual bus voltage before substituting MAX15300ETI+ with MAX15301ETI+ - the 15300 targets lower bus voltages while the 15301 targets higher (typically 12 V) buses. Also verify PMBus address strap pins; multiple MAX15300-family devices on the same I2C bus require unique addresses set by external resistors. Failure to set unique addresses prevents communication with all but the lowest-addressed device on the bus.
Select external MOSFETs with SOA margin at least 2x the programmed current limit at the highest expected junction temperature. For high step-load transients (e.g. FPGA load steps of 10 A/us), choose low-Qg MOSFETs to keep switching loss manageable and ensure the controller's adaptive Auto-Comp loop can stabilize. Estimated power dissipation for the controller itself at 5V bias with 25 kHz switching is approximately 200-300 mW.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free status confirmed by +RoHS suffix in the part number. AEC-Q100 automotive qualification status was not stated in the verified data; treat as not_qualified unless confirmed against the latest Maxim/Analog Devices automotive product listing.
