Voltage controller with integrated power MOSFET

Linear Technology has introduced the LTC4219 5A Hot Swap controller with sense resistor, for protecting low-power boards from inrush current in many RAID, server, telecom and industrial applications.

The LTC4219 allows a boards with load supply voltages ranging from 2.9 to 15V to be safely inserted and removed from a live backplane, by limiting the amount of inrush current to the load supply during power up.

Hot Swap controllers typically call for a number of supporting components, but the LTC4219 integrates a power MOSFET and sense resistor in its power path to limit inrush current, reducing the number of external components required.

The device's internal dV/dt circuit means there is no need for an external gate capacitor.

An adjustable current limit allows users to vary the current limit threshold under different loading conditions, for example in disk drive spin up to normal operation.

This high level of integration, packaged in a tiny DFN, makes the LTC4219 suitable for use in space-constrained applications.

The LTC4219 is suitable for a wide range of RAID, server, telecom and industrial applications, especially in compact boards utilising technologies like Fibre Channel where power is typically limited to less than 25W due to their small size and inability to dissipate large amounts of heat.

During start-up, inrush currents are controlled by limiting the gate ramp rate to a safe 0.3V/ms.

Load current is monitored using the voltage sensed across the internal 7.5mOhm sense resistor and adjusting the internal 33mOhm MOSFET gate-to-source voltage accordingly.

A separate ISET pin enables adjustment of the 10 per cent accurate (5A) current-limit threshold during start-up and normal operation as needed.

In addition, current foldback and power-good circuitry ensure the switch is protected from excessive load current and indicate whether or not healthy power conditions are maintained.

The LTC4219 also features current, temperature and fault outputs, as well as an adjustable current limit timer.

It is available as a dedicated 12V (LTC4219-12) or 5V (LTC4219-5) version, which contain preset 12V/5V-specific thresholds.

Both devices are offered in commercial and industrial operating temperature grades.

The LTC4219 is available in a small, RoHS-compliant, 16-pin 5 x 3mm DFN package and priced starting at USD3.35 (GBP2.15) each in 1,000 piece quantities.

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