The MAX17633CATP+: The wide input range covers standard 12 V and 24 V industrial supply buses with margin for transients, while the adjustable output lets it serve core logic rails (1.2 V, 1.8 V, 3.3 V) or I/O and actuator supplies (5 V, 12 V, 24 V) from the same BOM line. Synchronous rectification is built in — the low-side FET replaces the external Schottky diode, keeping efficiency above 90 % across most of the load range, especially at lower output voltages where the diode drop would otherwise dominate conduction loss.
Switching frequency and inductor selection
The switching frequency is programmable from 380 kHz to 2.45 MHz via a single resistor. Running at the low end (380 kHz) minimises switching losses and allows a larger inductor for lower ripple current — useful when the load is steady and efficiency is the priority. At the high end (2.45 MHz) the inductor shrinks to a 1 µH or 2.2 µH footprint, saving board area at the cost of slightly higher FET switching loss. For a 3.5 A load at 12 V in to 3.3 V out, the junction temperature stays under 100 °C with a 2 oz copper, 4-layer board and adequate via stitching under the pad — no heatsink required.