Power Electronics / Power Management


Step-down regulator with fail-safe load protection

14 November 2012 Power Electronics / Power Management

Linear Technology’s new LTM4641 is a 4,5 V to 38 V input, 0,6 V to 6 V output, 10 A step-down µModule regulator with comprehensive electrical and thermal protection for loads such as processors, ASICs and high-end FPGAs.

The IC monitors input voltage, output voltage and temperature conditions. If any user-adjustable trip thresholds are exceeded, it responds within 500 ns in the case of an output over-voltage fault, ceasing operation and, if necessary, activating external switches.

One switch disconnects the input supply rail while the other discharges the output capacitors to protect the load. Additionally, when any trip threshold is exceeded, the LTM4641 will issue a logic level fault signal which may be used to initiate an orderly emergency shutdown sequence in the system.

The adjustable trip thresholds are accurate to within ±2,7% over the full operating temperature range. As a μModule regulator, the device includes power MOSFETs, DC-DC controller, inductor, compensation and the protection logic circuits in a compact surface-mount BGA package.

The LTM4641 is designed for point-of-load regulation in robotics and industrial instrumentation, as well as rugged environments such as defence and avionics systems.

When any trip threshold is exceeded, the IC’s protection circuitry classifies the fault in one of two categories – latching or non-latching. Normal voltage regulation will automatically resume once a non-latching fault such as input under-voltage, bias input under-voltage or input over-voltage has cleared.

For latching faults such as an output over-voltage or a second input over-voltage threshold, the system must cycle the input power or supply a logic level signal to the LTM4641 in order to resume normal operation. An over-temperature fault can be classified by the user as a latching or non-latching fault by setting a logic level pin. The device can be configured to autonomously restart after latch-off fault conditions have cleared.

The output voltage is user adjustable from 0,6 V to 6 V with ±1,5% total accuracy over line, load and temperature. Additional features include output current sharing for loads requiring more than 10 A, externally adjustable soft start, output over-current protection, switching frequency and output voltage tracking.

The LTM4641 is packaged in a thermally efficient 15 x 15 x 5,01 mm RoHS compliant BGA with guaranteed operation over the -40°C to +125°C (E grade and I grade) or -55°C to +125°C (mp grade) internal temperature range.



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