19-2048; Rev 0; 4/01

Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,

High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
General Description Features

MAX4073T/F/H
The MAX4073 low-cost, high-side current-sense ampli- ♦ Low-Cost, Compact, Current-Sense Solution
fier features a voltage output that eliminates the need
for gain-setting resistors making it ideal for cell phones, ♦ Three Gain Versions Available
notebook computers, PDAs, and other systems where +20V/V (MAX4073T)
current monitoring is crucial. High-side current moni- +50V/V (MAX4073F)
toring does not interfere with the ground path of the +100V/V (MAX4073H)
battery charger making the MAX4073 particularly useful
in battery-powered systems. The input common-mode ♦ ±1.0% Full-Scale Accuracy
range of +2V to +28V is independent of the supply volt- ♦ 500µA Supply Current
age. The MAX4073’s wide 1.8MHz bandwidth makes it
suitable for use inside battery-charger control loops. ♦ Wide 1.8MHz Bandwidth
The combination of three gain versions and a selec- ♦ +3V to +28V Operating Supply
table external-sense resistor sets the full-scale current ♦ Wide +2V to +28V Common-Mode Range
reading. The MAX4073 offers a high level of integra-
Independent of Supply Voltage
tion, resulting in a simple and compact current-sense
solution. ♦ Automotive Temperature Range (-40°C to +125°C)
The MAX4073 operates from a +3V to +28V single sup- ♦ Available in Space-Saving 5-Pin SC70 Package
ply and draws only 0.5mA of supply current. This
device is specified over the automotive operating tem-
perature range (-40°C to +125°C) and is available in a
Typical Operating Circuit
space-saving 5-pin SC70 package (half the size of the
SOT23). VSENSE ILOAD
+2V TO +28V
For a similar device in a 6-pin SOT23 with a wider com-
RSENSE
mon-mode voltage range (0 to +28V), see the
MAX4173 data sheet. +3V TO +28V RS+ RS-
VCC
Applications 0.1µF
Cell Phones
Notebook Computers MAX4073T/F/H

Portable/Battery-Powered Systems A/D LOAD/

OUT
Smart Battery Packs/Chargers CONVERTER BATTERY
GND
PDAs
Power Management Systems
PA Bias Control
General System/Board-Level Current Monitoring Pin Configurations appear at end of data sheet.
Precision Current Sources
Ordering Information

PART TEMP. RANGE PIN-PACKAGE GAIN (V/V) TOP MARK

MAX4073TAXK-T -40°C to +125°C 5 SC70-5 20 ACM
MAX4073TAUT-T -40°C to +125°C 6 SOT23-6 20 AAUE
MAX4073FAXK-T -40°C to +125°C 5 SC70-5 50 ACN
MAX4073FAUT-T -40°C to +125°C 6 SOT23-6 50 AAUF
MAX4073HAXK-T -40°C to +125°C 5 SC70-5 100 ACO
MAX4073HAUT-T -40°C to +125°C 6 SOT23-6 100 AAUG

________________________________________________________________ Maxim Integrated Products 1

For pricing, delivery, and ordering information, please contact Maxim/Dallas Direct! at
1-888-629-4642, or visit Maxim’s website at [Link].
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
MAX4073T/F/H

VCC to GND ............................................................-0.3V to +30V Operating Temperature Range .........................-40°C to +125°C

RS+, RS- to GND....................................................-0.3V to +30V Junction Temperature ......................................................+150°C
OUT to GND ...............................................-0.3V to (VCC + 0.3V) Storage Temperature Range .............................-65°C to +150°C
Output Short-Circuit to GND ......................................Continuous Lead Temperature (soldering, 10s) .................................+300°C
Differential Input Voltage (VRS+ - VRS-) .................................±5V
Current Into Any Pin..........................................................±20mA
Continuous Power Dissipation (TA = +70°C)
5-pin SC70 (derate 2.27mW/°C above +70°C) ............200mW
6-pin SOT23 (derate 8.7mW/°C above +70°C)............696mW

Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional
operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated in the operational sections of the specifications is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
(VRS+ = +2V to +28V, VSENSE = (VRS+ - VRS-) = 0, VCC = +3V to +28V, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are
at TA = +25°C.) (Note 1)

PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS

Operating Voltage Range VCC (Note 2) 3 28 V
Common-Mode Input Range VCMR (Note 3) 2 28 V
Common-Mode Rejection CMR VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 12V 90 dB
Supply Current ICC VCC = 28V 0.5 1.2 mA
Leakage Current IRS+/IRS- VCC = 0, VRS+ = 28V 0.05 1 µA
IRS+ 20 60
Input Bias Current µA
IRS- 40 120
Full-Scale Sense Voltage VSENSE VSENSE = (VRS+ - VRS-) 150 mV

VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 12V, VRS+ = 2V ±1.0

VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 12V,

±1.0 ±5.0
VRS+ = 12V, TA = +25oC
VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 12V,
±7.0
VRS+ = 12V, TA = TMIN to TMAX
Total OUT Voltage Error (Note 4) %
VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 28V,
±1.0 ±5.0
VRS+ = 28V, TA = +25oC
VSENSE = 100mV, VCC = 28V,
±8.5
VRS+ = 28V, TA = TMIN to TMAX
VSENSE = 6.25mV (Note 5); VCC = 12V,
±7.5
VRS+ = 12V
Extrapolated Input Offset Voltage VOS VCC = VRS+ = 12V, VSENSE > 10mV 1.0 mV
MAX4073T, VCC = 3V
VSENSE =
OUT High Voltage (VCC - VOH) MAX4073F, VCC = 7.5V 0.8 1.2 V
150mV
MAX4073H, VCC = 15V

2 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (continued)

MAX4073T/F/H
(VRS+ = +2V to +28V, VSENSE = (VRS+ - VRS-) = 0, VCC = +3V to +28V, TA = TMIN to TMAX, unless otherwise noted. Typical values are
at TA = +25°C.) (Note 1)
PARAMETER SYMBOL CONDITIONS MIN TYP MAX UNITS
MAX4073T,
1.8
VSENSE = 100mV
MAX4073F,
VCC = 12V, 1.7 MHz
VSENSE = 100mV
Bandwidth BW VRS+ = 12V,
CLOAD = 5pF MAX4073H,
1.6
VSENSE = 100mV

MAX4073T/F/H
600 kHz
VSENSE = 6.25mV (Note 5)
MAX4073T 20
Gain AV MAX4073F 50 V/V
MAX4073H 100
VCC = 12V,
TA = +25°C ±1.0 ±4.5
VRS+ = 12V,
VSENSE = 10mV
to 150mV,
TA = TMIN to TMAX ±6.5
MAX4073T/F
Gain Accuracy ∆AV %
VCC = 12V,
VRS+ = 12V, TA = +25°C ±1.0 ±4.5
VSENSE = 10mV
to 100mV, TA = TMIN to TMAX ±6.5
MAX4073H
VSENSE = 6.25mV to
VCC = 12V 400
OUT Settling Time to 1% of Final 100mV
VRS+ = 12V ns
Value VSENSE = 100mV to
CLOAD = 5pF 800
6.25mV
Output Resistance ROUT 12 kΩ
VSENSE = 60mV, MAX4073T 70 78
Power-Supply Rejection Ratio PSRR VCC = 3V to 28V VSENSE = 24mV, MAX4073F 70 85 dB
VSENSE = 12mV, MAX4073H 70 90
Power-Up Time (Note 6) CLOAD = 5pF, VSENSE = 100mV 5 µs

Saturation Recovery Time VCC = 12V, VRS+ = 12V,

5 µs
(Note 7) CLOAD = 5pF

Note 1: All devices are 100% production tested at TA = +25°C. All temperature limits are guaranteed by design.
Note 2: Inferred from PSRR test.
Note 3: Inferred from OUT Voltage Error test.
Note 4: Total OUT Voltage Error is the sum of the gain and offset errors.
Note 5: 6.25mV = 1/16 of 100mV full-scale sense voltage.
Note 6: Output settles to within 1% of final value.
Note 7: The device will not experience phase reversal when overdriven.

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 3
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
MAX4073T/F/H

Typical Operating Characteristics

(VCC = +12V, VRS+ = +12V, VSENSE = 100mV, CL = 5pF, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

SUPPLY CURRENT vs. SUPPLY CURRENT vs. SUPPLY CURRENT vs.

SUPPLY VOLTAGE SUPPLY VOLTAGE TEMPERATURE
0.53 1.5 0.7

MAX4073 toc02

MAX4073 toc03
MAX4073 toc01
1.4 VSENSE = 0
0.52
MAX4073H MAX4073H 0.6 VCC = +28V
0.51 SUPPLY CURRENT (mA) 1.3

SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

0.50 MAX4073F 1.2 0.5

0.49 1.1
0.4
0.48 1.0
0.9 MAX4073F 0.3
0.47
MAX4073T
0.46 0.8 0.2
0.45 0.7 MAX4073T
0.1
0.44 0.6
VSENSE = 6.25mV VSENSE = 100mV
0.43 0.5 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) TEMPERATURE (˚C)

SUPPLY CURRENT vs. SUPPLY CURRENT vs. OUTPUT HIGH VOLTAGE

VRS+ VOLTAGE VRS+ VOLTAGE (VCC - VOH) vs. TEMPERATURE
0.54 1.60 1.0
MAX4073 toc05
MAX4073 toc04

MAX4073 toc06
VSENSE = 6.25mV VSENSE = 100mV VSENSE = 150mV
1.50 0.9
0.53 MAX4073H MAX4073H
1.40 0.8
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY CURRENT (mA)

0.52 1.30 0.7

VCC - VOH (V)

1.20 0.6
0.51
1.10 0.5
0.50 MAX4073F MAX4073F
1.00 0.4
0.49 0.90 0.3
0.80 MAX4073T 0.2
0.48 MAX4073T
0.70 0.1
0.47 0.60 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125
VRS+ (V) VRS+ (V) TEMPERATURE (°C)

TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR vs. TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR
SUPPLY VOLTAGE vs. SUPPLY VOLTAGE vs. COMMON-MODE VOLTAGE
1.0 2.0 1.0
MAX 4073 toc07

MAX4073 toc09
MAX4073 toc08

VSENSE = 100mV VSENSE = 6.25mV

0.8 MAX4073F
1.5 0.5
0.6
TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR (%)

TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR (%)

TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR (%)

1.0 0
0.4
MAX4073H
0.2 0.5 -0.5

0 0 -1.0
-0.2
-0.5 -1.5
-0.4
MAX4073T -1.0 -2.0
-0.6
-0.8 -1.5 -2.5

-1.0 -2.0 -3.0

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V) COMMON-MODE VOLTAGE (V)

4 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

MAX4073T/F/H
(VCC = +12V, VRS+ = +12V, VSENSE = 100mV, CL = 5pF, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR GAIN ACCURACY SMALL-SIGNAL GAIN vs.

vs. TEMPERATURE vs. TEMPERATURE FREQUENCY
1.0 2.0 45

MAX4073 toc12
MAX4073 toc11
MAX4073 toc10 VSENSE = (10mV - 100mV) MAX4073H
0.8 40
1.5
0.6 35 MAX4073F
TOTAL OUTPUT ERROR (%)

VCC = +12V
GAIN ACCURACY (%) 1.0
0.4
30
0.5 MAX4073T
0.2

GAIN (dB)
25
0 0
20
-0.2 -0.5
VCC = +28V 15
-0.4
-1.0
10
-0.6
-1.5 5
-0.8
-1.0 -2.0 0
-50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125 150 -50 -25 0 25 50 75 100 125 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10,000
TEMPERATURE (°C) TEMPERATURE (°C) FREQUENCY (kHz)

POWER-SUPPLY REJECTION MAX4073T SMALL-SIGNAL

RATIO vs. FREQUENCY TRANSIENT RESPONSE
MAX4073 toc14
100
MAX4073 toc13

MAX4073H
90 100mV

MAX4073F
80
MAX4073T VSENSE
70 2.5mV/div 95mV
PSRR (dB)

60

50 2V

40
OUT
30 1.9V
50mV/div

20
0.1 1 10 100 1000 1µs/div
FREQUENCY (kHz)

MAX4073F SMALL-SIGNAL MAX4073H SMALL-SIGNAL

TRANSIENT RESPONSE TRANSIENT RESPONSE
MAX4073 toc15 MAX4073 toc16

100mV 100mV
VSENSE VSENSE
2.5mV/div 2.5mV/div
95mV 95mV

5V 10V

OUT OUT
125mV/div 250mV/div
4.75V 9.5V

1µs/div 1µs/div

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 5
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
MAX4073T/F/H

Typical Operating Characteristics (continued)

(VCC = +12V, VRS+ = +12V, VSENSE = 100mV, CL = 5pF, TA = +25°C, unless otherwise noted.)

MAX4073T LARGE-SIGNAL MAX4073F LARGE-SIGNAL

TRANSIENT RESPONSE TRANSIENT RESPONSE
MAX4073 toc17 MAX4073 toc18

100mV 100mV
VSENSE VSENSE
45mV/div 45mV/div
6.25mV 6.25mV

2V 5V
OUT OUT
0.9V/div 2.35V/div
0.120V 0.3V

1µs/div 1µs/div

MAX4073H LARGE-SIGNAL MAX4073T

TRANSIENT RESPONSE OVERDRIVE RESPONSE
MAX4073 toc19 MAX4073 toc20

VCC = +3V
100mV 250mV
VSENSE VSENSE
45mV/div 100mV/div
6.25mV 50mV

10V VOH
OUT
4.7V/div OUT
600mV/div
0.6V 1V

1µs/div 1µs/div

MAX4073T
START-UP DELAY
MAX4073 toc21

VCC = 0 to +4V
4V
VCC
2V/div
0

2V

OUT
1V/div
0

1µs/div

6 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
Pin Description

MAX4073T/F/H
PIN
NAME FUNCTION
SOT23-6 SC70-5
1, 2 2 GND Ground
3 3 VCC Supply Voltage Input. Bypass to GND with a 0.1µF capacitor.
4 4 RS+ Power-Side Connection to the External Sense Resistor
5 5 RS- Load-Side Connection to the External Sense Resistor
Voltage Output. VOUT is proportional to VSENSE. Output impedance is approximately
6 1 OUT
12kΩ.

Detailed Description ILOAD

RSENSE TO LOAD/BATTERY
The MAX4073 high-side current-sense amplifier fea- VSOURCE
tures a +2V to +28V input common-mode range that is +2V TO +28V
independent of supply voltage. This feature allows the RS+ RS-
monitoring of current out of a battery as low as +2V and IRG1
also enables high-side current sensing at voltages +3V TO +28V
VCC
RG1 RG2
greater than the supply voltage (VCC).
The MAX4073 operates as follows: current from the
source flows through RSENSE to the load (Figure 1). Since A1
the internal-sense amplifier’s inverting input has high
impedance, negligible current flows through RG2
(neglecting the input bias current). Therefore, the
sense amplifier’s inverting-input voltage equals
VSOURCE - (ILOAD)(RSENSE). The amplifier’s open-loop MAX4073T/F/H
gain forces its noninverting input to the same voltage as CURRENT OUT
VOUT
the inverting input. Therefore, the drop across RG1 MIRROR
equals (ILOAD)(RSENSE). Since IRG1 flows through RG1, IRGD
IRG1 = (ILOAD)(RSENSE) / RG1. The internal current mirror
multiplies I RG1 by a current gain factor, β, to give RGD = 12kΩ
IRGD = β ✕ IRG1. Solving IRGD = β ✕ (ILOAD)(RSENSE) / GND
RG1. Assuming infinite output impedance, VOUT = (IRGD)
(RGD). Substituting in for IRGD and rearranging, VOUT =
β ✕ (RGD / RG1)(RSENSE ✕ ILOAD). The parts gain equals
β ✕ RGD / RG1. Therefore, VOUT = (GAIN) (RSENSE) Figure 1. Functional Diagram
(ILOAD), where GAIN = 20V/V for MAX4073T, GAIN =
50V/V for MAX4073F, and GAIN = 100V/V for MAX4073H. higher-sense voltage that reduces offset voltage errors
Set the full-scale output range by selecting RSENSE and of the internal op amp. Typical sense voltages range
the appropriate gain version of the MAX4073. between 10mV and 150mV.
Applications Information In applications monitoring very high currents, RSENSE
must be able to dissipate the I2R losses. If the resistor’s
Recommended Component Values rated power dissipation is exceeded, its value may drift
The MAX4073 senses a wide variety of currents with or it may fail altogether, causing a differential voltage
different sense resistor values. Table 1 lists common across the terminals in excess of the absolute maxi-
resistor values for typical operation of the MAX4073. mum ratings (±5V).
Choosing RSENSE If ISENSE has a large high-frequency component, mini-
To measure lower currents more accurately, use a mize the inductance of RSENSE. Wire-wound resistors
large value for RSENSE. The larger value develops a have the highest inductance, metal-film resistors are

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 7
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
somewhat better, and low-inductance metal-film resis-
MAX4073T/F/H

tors are best suited for these applications. INPUT LOAD/BATTERY

RSENSE

For VSENSE = 100mV, full-scale output voltage can be 0.3in COPPER 0.1in COPPER
_
0.3in COPPER
2V, 5V, or 10V depending on the gain. For proper oper- +
VSENSE
ation, ensure VCC exceeds the full-scale output voltage
by 1.2V (see Output High Voltage (V CC - V OH ) vs. RS+ RS-
+3V TO +28V
Temperature in the Typical Operating Characteristics). VCC
0.1µF
Using a PCB Trace as RSENSE
If the cost of RSENSE is an issue and accuracy is not MAX4073T
OUT
critical, use the alternative solution shown in Figure 2.
This solution uses copper PC board traces to create a
sense resistor. The resistivity of a 0.1-inch-wide trace of GND
2-ounce copper is approximately 30mΩ/ft. The resis-
tance-temperature coefficient of copper is fairly high
(approximately 0.4%/°C), so systems that experience a
Figure 2. MAX4073T Connections Showing Use of PC Board
wide temperature variance must compensate for this
effect. In addition, do not exceed the maximum power
dissipation of the copper trace.
For example, the MAX4073T (with a maximum load cur-
rent of 10A and an RSENSE of 5mΩ) creates a full-scale VIN LOW-COST VSENSE ILOAD
+2V TO +28V
VSENSE of 50mV that yields a maximum VOUT of 1V. SWITCHING
RSENSE in this case requires about 2 inches of 0.1 inch- REGULATOR RSENSE
wide copper trace. +3V TO +28V RS+ RS-
VCC
Output Impedance 0.1µF
The output of the MAX4073 is a current source driving a
12kΩ resistance. Resistive loading added to OUT MAX4073T/F/H
reduces the output gain of the MAX4073. To minimize
output errors for most applications, connect OUT to a OUT
LOAD/
BATTERY
high-impedance input stage. When output buffering is
GND
required, choose an op amp with a common-mode
input range and an output voltage swing that includes
ground when operating with a single supply. The op
amp’s supply voltage range should be at least as high Figure 3. Current Source
as any voltage the system may encounter.
The percent error introduced by output loading is deter-
mined with the following formula:
 RLOAD 
%ERROR = 100  − 1
 12kΩ + RLOAD 

where RLOAD is the external load applied to OUT.

Current Source Circuit

Figure 3 shows a block diagram using the MAX4073
with a switching regulator to make a current source.

8 _______________________________________________________________________________________
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier

MAX4073T/F/H
Table 1. Recommended Component Values
FULL-SCALE OUTPUT VOLTAGE
FULL-SCALE LOAD CURRENT CURRENT-SENSE RESISTOR
GAIN (FULL-SCALE VSENSE = 100mV)
ILOAD (A) RSENSE (mΩ)
VOUT (V)
20 2.0
0.1 1000 50 5.0
100 10.0
20 2.0
1 100 50 5.0
100 10.0
20 2.0
5 20 50 5.0
100 10.0
20 2.0
10 10 50 5.0
100 10.0

Pin Configurations

TOP VIEW

OUT 1 5 RS- GND 1 6 OUT

MAX4073T/F/H MAX4073T/F/H
GND 2 GND 2 5 RS-

VCC 3 4 RS+ VCC 3 4 RS+

SC70-5 SOT23-6

Chip Information
TRANSISTOR COUNT: 187
PROCESS: Bipolar

_______________________________________________________________________________________ 9
 Low-Cost, SC70, Voltage-Output,
High-Side Current-Sense Amplifier
Package Information
MAX4073T/F/H

SC70, [Link]
[Link]

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