Micrel Announces New Dual-Channel Hot-Plug Power Controllers
Micrel Inc. has launched the MIC2341 and MIC2342. The devices are dual channel hot-plug power controllers that support the power requirements for PCI Express Specification v2.0. The MIC2341 and MIC2342 augment Micrel’s growing PCIe product family and are suitable for high performance enterprise computing network system processor boards, DDR memory boards, embedded systems and gigabit Ethernet add-in cards for the server networks and RAID/storage network markets.
"The MIC2341 and MIC2342 both offer an integrated solution that minimizes solution component count and lower overall BOM cost," noted Andy Cowell, Micrel’s Marketing Vice President for Analog Products. "In addition, both ICs feature very rapid response times to potentially catastrophic overcurrent load events, key in mission-critical applications for the server and RAID/storage network markets."
The MIC2341 and MIC2342 provide support for 12, 3.3, and 3.3V AUX supplies and are equipped with many features – including programmable gate voltage slew-rate control, voltage supervision, programmable current limit, and circuit breaker functions. The devices support two independent PCI Express slots, offer integrated power MOSFETS for 3.3V AUX rails with low backfeed on the MAIN +12V and +3.3V rails, an important consideration during standby operation for Wake-on-LAN applications.
The ICs also offer dual-level, dual-speed overcurrent fault protection and a user-programmable primary overcurrent filter to eliminate nuisance tripping. Separate MAIN and AUX overcurrent fault output signals and load card detection (present) switch inputs are also offered. Power will be delivered only when the module/card is fully inserted and power fault isolation allows an unaffected power rail(s) to remain active and accelerates debugging effort(s) when locating a faulty area(s) in the circuit. In addition, the ICs provide system management flexibility in offering either a latched or auto-retry option.
The MAIN output rails of the MIC2342 shut down during an overcurrent fault on AUX for a given slot, whereas MAIN outputs of the MIC2341 are independent of an overcurrent fault occurring on AUX. Both ICs are available in RoHS compliant 48-pin TQFP Pb-free package. All options feature a 0 to +70°C ambient temperature range.
The devices are currently available in volume quantities and are priced at $4.54 for 1K quantities.
