HOT-SWAP CONTROLLER SPEEDS STARTUP AND IMPROVES FAULT RESPONSE
SUNNYVALE, CA—May 21, 1999—Maxim Integrated Products introduces the MAX4370 hot-swap controller for +3V to +12V systems. This IC offers the unique benefits of regulating the inrush current upon insertion into a live backplane and monitors two types of fault conditions: long-duration low-amplitude current transients and fast, high-amplitude current transients. Hot-swap controllers that don’t regulate the current at startup suffer from long delays that vary widely with component tolerance. The MAX4370 reduces this variability and eliminates startup delays without the risk of collapsing the backplane supply.
After the startup period expires, Maxim’s DualSpeed/Bilevel™ protection uses one slow and one fast comparator to simultaneously detect two distinct power-supply overcurrent faults: either long duration and low amplitude or fast, high-amplitude transients. If either type of fault occurs, the MAX4370 turns off the external MOSFET, disconnecting the main supply, and asserts a latched output alert. This proprietary scheme (patent pending) makes the controller less prone to false triggering than other hot-swap ICs, because it more easily differentiates between disruptive/catastrophic faults and benign faults.
The overcurrent thresholds are programmed using an external current-sense resistor. The startup timeout period and the slow-comparator response time are individually programmed using external capacitors.
The MAX4370 is offered in an eight-pin SO package. Prices start from $1.95 (1000-up, factory direct, FOB USA).
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