Detailed Description
The MAX8887/MAX8888 are low-dropout, low-quiescent-current linear regulators designed primarily for 
battery-powered applications. The devices supply 
loads up to 300mA and are available in several fixed 
output voltages in the 1.5V to 3.3V range. The 
MAX8887 is optimized for low-noise operation, while 
the MAX8888 includes an open-drain POK output flag. 
As illustrated in Figure 1, the MAX8888 consists of a
1.25V reference, error amplifier, P-channel pass transistor, and internal feedback voltage divider.
Internal P-Channel Pass Transistor
The MAX8887/MAX8888 feature a 0.5Ω P-channel 
MOSFET pass transistor. Unlike similar designs using 
PNP pass transistors, P-channel MOSFETs require no 
base drive, which reduces quiescent current. PNPbased regulators also waste considerable current in 
dropout when the pass transistor saturates and use 
high base drive currents under large loads. The 
MAX8887/MAX8888 do not suffer from these problems 
and consume only 55µA of quiescent current under 
heavy loads as well as in dropout.
Output Voltage Selection
The MAX8887/MAX8888 are supplied with various factory-set output voltages ranging from 1.5V to 3.3V. The 
part number’s two-digit suffix identifies the nominal output voltage. For example, the MAX8887EZK33 has a 
preset output voltage of 3.3V (see the Ordering Infor- 
mation).
Shutdown
Drive SHDN low to enter shutdown. During shutdown, 
the output is disconnected from the input and supply 
current drops to 0.1µA. When in shutdown, POK and 
OUT are driven low. SHDN can be pulled as high as 
6V, regardless of the input and output voltages.
Power-OK Output
The power-OK output (POK) pulls low when OUT is less 
than 93% of the nominal regulation voltage. Once OUT 
exceeds 93% of the nominal voltage, POK goes high 
impedance. POK is an open-drain N-channel output. 
To obtain a logic level output, connect a pullup resistor 
from POK to OUT. A 100kΩ resistor works well for most 
applications. POK can be used as a power-on-reset 
(POR) signal to a microcontroller (µC) or to drive other 
logic. Adding a capacitor from POK to ground creates 
POK delay. When the MAX8887 is shut down, POK is 
held low independent of the output voltage. If unused, 
leave POK grounded or unconnected.
Current Limit
The MAX8887/MAX8888 monitor and control the pass 
transistor’s gate voltage, limiting the output current to
0.8A (typ). This current limit is reduced to 500mA (typ) 
when the output voltage is below 93% of the nominal 
value to provide foldback current limiting.
Thermal Overload Protection
Thermal overload protection limits total power dissipation in the MAX8887/MAX8888. When the junction temperature exceeds T
J 
=+170°C, a thermal sensor turns 
off the pass transistor, allowing the device to cool. The 
thermal sensor turns the pass transistor on again after 
the junction temperature cools by 20°C, resulting in a 
pulsed output during continuous thermal overload conditions. Thermal overload protection protects the 
MAX8887/MAX8888 in the event of fault conditions. For 
continuous operation, do not exceed the absolute maximum junction-temperature rating of T
J
=+150°C.
Operating Region and Power Dissipation
The MAX8887/MAX8888’s maximum power dissipation 
depends on the thermal resistance of the IC package 
and circuit board. The temperature difference between 
the die junction and ambient air, and the rate of air flow. 
The power dissipated in the device is P = I
OUT
✕
(VIN-
V
OUT
). The maximum allowed power dissipation is
727mW or:
P
MAX
= (T
J(MAX)
- TA) / (θJC+ θCA)
where T
J(MAX)-TA
is the temperature difference 
between the MAX8887/MAX8888 die junction and the 
surrounding air; θ
JC
is the thermal resistance from the 
junction to the case; and θ
CA
is the thermal resistance 
from the case through PC board, copper traces, and 
other materials to the surrounding air.
Refer to Figure 2 for the MAX8887/MAX888 valid operating region. 
Noise Reduction
For the MAX8887 only, an external 0.01µF bypass 
capacitor at BP creates a lowpass filter for noise reduction. The MAX8887 exhibits 42µV
RMS
of output voltage
noise with C
BP 
= 0.01µF and C
OUT
= 2.2µF (see the
Typical Operating Characteristics).
Applications Information
Capacitor Selection and Regulator
Stability
Connect a 2.2µF ceramic capacitor between IN and 
ground and a 2.2µF ceramic capacitor between OUT 
and ground. The input capacitor (C
IN
) lowers the 
source impedance of the input supply. Reduce noise 
and improve load-transient response, stability, and 
power-supply rejection by using a larger ceramic output capacitor such as 4.7µF.
The output capacitor’s (C
OUT
) equivalent series resis-
tance (ESR) affects stability and output noise. Use out-
MAX8887/MAX8888
Low-Dropout, 300mA Linear Regulators in SOT23
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