
Hot Swap Controller and
Digital Power Monitor with AlertB Output
Preliminary Technical Data
ADM1178
FEATURES
Allows Safe Board Insertion and Removal from a Live
Backplane
Controls Supply Voltages from 3.15 V to14 V
Precision Current Sense Amplifier
Precision Voltage Input
12-Bit ADC for Current and Voltage Readback
Charge Pumped Gate Drive for External N-FET Switch
Adjustable Analog Current Limit with Circuit Breaker
Fast Response Limits Peak Fault Current
Automatic Retry or Latch-Off On Current Fault
Programmable hot swap timing via TIMER pin
Active-high ON pin
AlertB pin for overcurrent interrupt
I
2
C Fast Mode compliant interface (400 KHz max)
10-lead MSOP package
APPLICATIONS
Power Monitoring/Power Budgeting
Central office Equipment
Telecommunication and Datacommunication Equipment
PC/Servers
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Rev. PrD May 2006
Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no
responsibility is assumed by Analog Devices for its use, nor for any infringements of patents or other
rights of third parties that may result from its use. Specifications subject to change without notice. No
license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent rights of Analog Devices.
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Tel: 781.329.4700
Fax: 781.461.3113
2006 Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.analog.com
The ADM1178 is an integrated hotswap controller and current
sense amplifier that offers digital current and voltage
monitoring via an on-chip 12-bit ADC, communicated through
an I
2
C interface.
An internal current sense amplifier senses voltage across the
sense resistor in the power path via the VCC and SENSE pins.
The ADM1178 limits the current through this resistor by
controlling the gate voltage of an external N-channel FET in the
power path, via the GATE pin. The sense voltage (and hence the
inrush current) is kept below a preset maximum.
The ADM1178 protects the external FET by limiting the time
that it spends with the maximum current running in it. This
current limit period is set by the choice of capacitor attached to
the TIMER pin. Additionally, the device provides protection
from overcurrent events at times after the hot-swap event is
complete. In the case of a short-circuit event the current in the
sense resistor will exceed an overcurrent trip threshold, and the
FET will be switched off immediately by pulling down the
GATE pin.
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM
+
-
SCL
I2C
12-Bit
ADC
ADM1178
V
SENSE
VCC
SDA
GND
I
ADR
TIMER
Figure 1.
FET Drive
Controller
GATE
ON
0
1
+
-
UV Comparator
Current Sense
Amplifier
Mux
1.3V
A
ALERTB
Alert
APPLICATIONS DIAGRAM
R
SENSE
CONTROLLER
ADM1178
SENSE
Vcc
SDA
SCL
SDA
SCL
3.15V - 14V
P=VI
GND
GATE
N-Channel FET
ON
ADR
TIMER
ALERTB
INTERRUPT
Figure 2.
A 12-bit ADC can measure the current seen in the sense
resistor, and also the supply voltage on the VCC pin.
An industry standard I
2
C interface allows a controller to read
current and voltage data from the ADC. Measurements can be
initiated by an I
2
C command. Alternatively the ADC can run
continuously and the user can read the latest conversion data
whenever it is required. Up to 4 unique I
2
C addresses can be
created by the way the ADR pin is connected.
The ADM1178 is packaged in a 10-lead MSOP package.