LTC Presents New LTC4241 Hot-Swap Controller

Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) announced its new LTC4241 hot-swap controller, which allows a board to be safely inserted and removed from a live PCI-Bus slot. The LTC4241 has a primary controller that controls the four PCI supplies and an independent auxiliary controller to control the 3.3V auxiliary supply. External n-channel transistors are used with the controllers to monitor the 3.3V, 5V and 3.3V auxiliary supplies, while on-chip switches enable the –12V and 12V supplies.

The LTC4241 provides controlled powerup, programmable circuit breakers and a programmable foldback current limit. The controlled powerup helps prevent supply glitches during startup and also prevents excessive power dissipation while protecting the board if a short exists. The circuit breakers provide protection if an over-current fault or short circuit occurs. The foldback current limit lets supplies power up within current limit for a specified period of time. In addition, the thermal shutdown feature of the LTC4241 provides additional protection, as it will latch off the chip once the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees C.

The LTC4241 is available in a 20-pin, narrow SSOP package, and pricing starts at $1.75 each for 1,000-piece quantities.