Maxim's new automotive protection devices use back-to-back pFETs to provide overvoltage and reverse-battery protection with minimal forward-voltage drop.
SUNNYVALE, CA—February 3, 2010—Maxim Integrated Products (NASDAQ: MXIM) introduces the MAX16914/MAX16915 overvoltage-protection controllers for automotive and industrial systems that must tolerate high-voltage transient and fault conditions. These devices employ a unique architecture that senses the input and output voltages of two back-to-back p-channel MOSFETs to provide overvoltage protection with ideal-diode characteristics. When forward biased, the two pFETs have a voltage drop that is much lower than a traditional blocking diode. During reverse-battery fault conditions, the two pFETs are turned off to prevent reverse current flow. The MAX16914/MAX16915 are well suited for automotive applications requiring overvoltage protection and very low voltage drop during cold-crank conditions.
The MAX16914/MAX16915 operate from only 30µA of quiescent current. The overvoltage threshold is resistor adjustable and uses an indicator flag to alert the system to an overvoltage event. The devices also include overtemperature-protection circuitry that turns off both external MOSFETs to protect the system.
The MAX16914 functions as an overvoltage switch and disconnects the input and output during overvoltage events, while the MAX16915 operates as a limiter that regulates the output to the set upper threshold. Both devices are fully specified over the -40°C to +125°C automotive temperature range. They are AEC-Q100 qualified and are available in a thermally enhanced, 10-pin µMAX
package. Pricing starts at $1.60 (1000-up, FOB USA).
Maxim Integrated Products is a publicly traded company that designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance semiconductor products. The Company was founded over 25 years ago with the mission to deliver innovative analog and mixed-signal engineering solutions that add value to its customers' products. To date, it has developed over 6200 products serving the industrial, communications, consumer, and computing markets.
Maxim reported revenue in excess of $1.6 billion for fiscal 2009. A Fortune 1000 company, Maxim is included in the Nasdaq 100, the Russell 1000, and the MSCI USA indices. For more information, go to www.maxim-ic.com.