Hot-swap controller handles distributed power: News from Summit Microelectronics

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Summit Microelectronics has a distributed power hot-swap controller for use in communications equipment add-in line cards. The device has been developed to offer advanced benefits to designers of high-availability line cards and systems. The new SMH4812 controller allows an add-in board to be inserted into a powered backplane and eliminates any possible power supply disruption that would disturb the operation of the system.

On card insertion the controller monitors the input voltage to ensure that it is within its valid range.

It also checks the pin detect inputs to confirm proper card insertion.

At this point the SMH4812 applies power to the DC/DC convertors by driving an external FET with a programmable slew rate controller to control in-rush current.

Once the voltage input to the DC/DC convertors has stabilised the convertors are enabled.

The controller also monitors card operation, turning the card off if a fault is detected on the primary side (eg in the event of overcurrent or loss of regulation on the primary supply voltage).

The novel forced shutdown input also allows the card to be turned off in the event of a fault detection on the secondary side.

In either case, the card will be isolated from the rest of the cards in the system, preventing the fault from propagating beyond the individual line card.

The hot-swap controller is fully programmable, allowing its operation to be optimised for each individual line card design.

Programmable options include overcurrent filtering and response, pin detection intervals and power on delay timers.

The SMH4812 is available in 16-pin SOIC and SSOP-16 packages.

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News Release from: Summit Microelectronics Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 20 April 2001

Hot-swap controller handles distributed power

Summit Microelectronics has a distributed power hot-swap controller for use in communications equipment add-in line cards.

Note: Readers of the Editor’s free email newsletter will have read this news when it was announced. . It’s free!

News Release from: Summit Microelectronics
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 20 April 2001