ADM1176: Hot Swap Controller with Digital Power Monitor with Extended Addressing

The ADM1176 is an integrated hot-swap controller which offers digital current and voltage monitoring via an on-chip 12-bit ADC, communicated through an I²C interface.

An internal current sense amplifier senses voltage across the sense resistor in the power path via the VCC and SENSE pins.

The ADM1176 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 ADM1176 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.

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 I²C interface allows a controller to read current and voltage data from the ADC. Measurements can be initiated by an I²C command. Alternatively the ADC can run continuously and the user can read the latest conversion data whenever it is required. Up to 4 unique I²C addresses can be created by the way the ADR pin is connected.

The ADM1176 is packaged in a 10-lead MSOP package.

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