Tiny TEC Drivers Play It Cool

Assuming the position of the industry's smallest Peltier thermoelectric controller (TEC) drivers, the MAX8520 and MAX8521 feature 50% lower power MOSFET on-resistance than comparable devices. The lower on-resistance results in a proportional reduction in heat generation by 50%. Targeting small form-factor (SFF) and small form-factor pluggable (SFP) fiber optic modules, the TEC drivers integrate power MOSFETs and protection and monitoring circuits and are compatible with analog or digital temperature control circuits. Both are rated at ±1.5A bi-directional output current and can operate over a -40°C to +85°C temperature range. The MAX8521 can be synchronized to an external clock signal or can be set to run at 500 kHz or 1 MHz. The MAX8520's switching frequency can be programmed up to 1 MHz with an external resistor. The MAX8520ETP and MAX8521ETP come in a 5 mm x 5 mm QFN package, with MAX8521EBX also available in a 3 mm x 3 mm UCSP. Pricing for MAX8521ETP starts at $3.75 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.