Infineon Intros TDA21801 Fan Speed Controller IC
Power Semiconductor developer Infineon Technologies AG (Germany) introduced its new TDA21801 fan speed controller integrated circuit (IC) that is used to create a flexible, low-cost subsystem to control the speed of power supply cooling fans used in such applications as personal computers and high-end electronics equipment such as computer file servers, and industrial and medical equipment.
The new TDA21801 controller is an intelligent controller that allows manufacturers of cooling fan systems to deliver the functionality of a four-wire fan using a lower-cost two-wire fan, which yields savings by allowing use of a lower-cost fan and reducing the bill of materials by 25 percent. A typical four-wire fan solution with over-temperature protection requires 27 components, while a two-wire fan solution using the TDA21801 requires only 13 components. The TDA21801 can adjust fan speed from 750 rpm to 4,000 rpm, which makes it suitable for applications requiring low fan speed to reduce noise levels. Its over-temperature protection capability is easily implemented and flexible. For example, it generates an over-temperature early warning signal to prevent data loss in case of thermal faults, and also generates a tachometer signal for additional system monitoring features.
The TDA21801 fan speed controller is available in a Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS)-compliant SO-8 package, at a price of $0.70 in quantities of 50,000.
