Hot-Swap Controller Rides PCI Express

The MIC2592A is a hot-swap controller IC that supports the power control requirements of PCI Express v1.0. Packaged in a 48-pin TQFP, it is a three-rail by dual-slot device that handles all system voltages of the PCI Express: +12V, +3.3V and +3.3 VAUX. The controller integrates the high-side gate driver circuits for external P-channel MOSFETs on the +12V side and the high-side gate driver circuits for external N-channel MOSFETs on the +3.3V side. For the +3.3 VAUX rails, all circuitry is integrated—gate driver circuits, current sense and power MOSFETs. Supervisory and control functions that apply to all three voltage rails are: adjustable overcurrent time-out, electronic circuit breaker fault-protection, input undervoltage lockout, output voltage monitoring, and output voltage slew control. Fault-status reporting in any of a slot’s three supplies is recorded in internal registers and is accessible via software over an SMBus interface or via dedicated hardware I/O lines such as the Hot-Plug Interface (HPI). Price is $6.95 each/25,000. MICREL SEMICONDUCTOR, San Jose, CA., (408) 474-1246.