Maxim MAX5970 dual hot-swap controller

Maxim has released the MAX5970, a dual hot-swap controller for systems with two 0 to 16 V supplies.

The device allows line cards to be safely inserted and removed from a live backplane without causing glitches on the system power-supply rail. The device integrates a 10-bit ADC for monitoring voltages and currents, allowing system designers to conserve energy and improve accuracy in high-availability systems.

The controller is suitable for networking, base-station, storage, computer and server line cards.

The integrated 10-bit ADC and I²C-compatible interface allows for precise monitoring of currents, voltages and fault conditions. The ADC is multiplexed to monitor and measure the output voltage and current of each hot-swap channel.

Additionally, it integrates a circular buffer that stores 5 ms of past current and voltage measurements. The buffer can be read through the I²C interface at any time or after a fault has occurred for system debugging and failure analysis.

Rated for 0 to 16 V inputs, the device can withstand transients or inductive spikes up to 30 V. It provides controlled inrush current at start-up and two levels of overcurrent protection after start-up. The device also includes five digital comparators per hot-swap channel to provide overcurrent warning, two levels of overvoltage detection and two levels of undervoltage detection.

Other features include four programmable LED outputs, as well as alert outputs to indicate undervoltage, overvoltage and overcurrent faults.