MAX1558/MAX1558H
Dual, 3mm x 3mm, 1.2A/Programmable-Current
USB Switches with Autoreset
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Undervoltage Lockout and 
Input Voltage Requirements
The MAX1558/MAX1558H include a UVLO circuit to 
prevent erroneous switch operation when the input voltage is low during startup and brownout conditions. 
Operation is inhibited when V
IN_
is less than 2.5V.
Output-Current Fault Protection 
The current limit for both switch outputs is programmed 
by a resistor between 26kΩ and 60kΩ connected from 
ISET to ground. See the Current-Limit Program Level vs. 
R
ISET
curve in the Typical Operating Characteristics and 
Setting the Current Limit in the Applications Information 
section. The MAX1558 reduces the gate drive to the 
MOSFET switch when the programmed current-limit value 
is reached. If the current-limit program value is reached, 
the part reduces gate drive to regulate at the current limit. 
If the current limit persists for 20ms (typ), the output turns 
off and the fault flag is set until the fault is removed, as 
detected by the autoreset circuit.
When the the output drops below 1V (typ), the current 
limit is set 30% above the programmed level and 
pulsed. This lowers the RMS current for a short-circuit 
condition, which reduces system load current and 
power dissipation. If a short circuit persists for 20ms, 
the output turns off and the fault flag is set. The autoreset circuit automatically restarts the part if the fault is 
removed.
Fault Blanking 
The MAX1558/MAX1558H switches can reach current 
limit in normal operation when powering up or driving 
heavy capacitive loads. To differentiate these conditions 
from short circuits or sustained overloads, the 
MAX1558/MAX1558H have independent fault-blanking 
circuits in each switch. When a load transient causes 
the device to enter the current limit, an internal counter 
monitors the duration of the fault. For load faults exceeding the 20ms fault-blanking time, the offending switch 
turns off, the corresponding FLT_ signal asserts low, 
and that channel enters autoreset mode (see the 
Autoreset Mode section). Only current-limit and shortcircuit faults are blanked. Thermal-overload faults and 
input-voltage drops below the UVLO threshold immediately cause the switch to turn off and FLT_ to assert low.
Fault blanking allows the MAX1558 to handle USB 
loads that may not be fully compliant with USB specifications. USB loads with additional bypass capacitance 
and/or large startup currents can be successfully powered even while protecting the upstream power source. 
No fault is indicated if the switch is able to bring up the 
load within the 20ms blanking period.
Autoreset Mode
If an output fault is detected for more than the 20ms 
blanking time, the output latches off and the FLT_ out- 
put goes low. The MAX1558/MAX1558H then source 
30mA to the faulted output and monitor the output voltage to determine when the overload is removed. If the 
voltage on the output rises above 0.5V for more than 
20ms, the fault resets and the output turns on. The 
MAX1558 can also be reset from fault manually by toggling ON_ (ON_ for the MAX1558H) for that channel.
Reverse Current Blocking
The USB specification does not allow an output device 
to source current back into the USB port. However, the 
MAX1558/MAX1558H are designed to safely power 
noncompliant devices. When disabled, each output is 
switched to a high-impedance state, blocking reversecurrent flow from the output back to the input. However, 
during normal operation with the device enabled, the 
MAX1558/MAX1558H are bidirectional switches.
Thermal Shutdown
The MAX1558/MAX1558H feature independent thermal 
shutdown for each switch channel, allowing one switch 
to deliver power even if the other switch has a fault condition. When the junction temperature exceeds +160°C, 
the switch turns off and the FLT_ output goes low immediately; fault blanking does not occur during thermal 
limit. When the junction cools by 10°C, the switch turns 
on again. If the fault-overload condition continues, the 
switch cycles on and off, resulting in a pulsed output, 
saving battery power.
Fault Indicators
The MAX1558/MAX1558H provide an open-drain fault 
output (FLT_) for each switch. For most applications, connect FLT_ to IN_ through a 100kΩ pullup resistor. FLT_ 
goes low when any of the following conditions occur:
• The input voltage is below the UVLO threshold.
• The switch junction temperature exceeds the +160°C 
thermal-shutdown temperature limit.
• The switch is in current-limit or short-circuit limit mode 
after the 20ms fault-blanking period is exceeded.
• The switch is in autoreset mode.
After the fault condition is removed, the FLT_ output 
deasserts after a 20ms delay. Ensure that the 
MAX1558/MAX1558H have adequate input bypass 
capacitance to prevent glitches from triggering FLT_ out- 
puts. Glitches that cause the input supply to drop below
2.5V may cause the undervoltage lockout to trigger, turn-
ing the outputs off and asserting the FLT signals.