Linear Technology Corporation

Analog Devices International Unlimited Company

Joshua John Simonson

Christopher Bruce Umminger

David Henry Soo

Jiong Xia

Bruce Christopher Umminger

A hot-swap controller regulates the supply of power from an input node to a load coupled to an output node. The controller includes at least one limiting circuit configured to control a first switch connected between the input node and the load to limit an output current of the first switch for application to the load. A control logic circuit determines a state of the first switch and outputs a local state signal, and a communication circuit responsive to the local state signal establishes a voltage or current level corresponding to the local state at a communication circuit output. A communication terminal is also provided that is responsive to the communication output and that is adapted to connect to a second communication terminal of a second hot-swap controller to communicate the local state to the second hot-swap controller.

Communication terminal for hot-swap controllers

A novel system is offered for supplying power from an input node to a load coupled to an output node. The system may have multiple switches coupled between the input node and the output node. One or more limiting circuits may be configured for controlling the switches so as to limit outputs of the switches. For example, the limiting circuits may limit current through the respective switches. One or more timers may set a delay period for indicating a fault condition after the limiting is initiated.

Inrush control with multiple switches

Circuitry for detecting faults in a system for supplying power from an input node to an output node and having at least one switch coupled between the input node and the output node. The fault detecting circuitry is configured for indicating a fault condition of the switch when the switch is commanded to turn on and at least one of the following conditions is detected: a voltage across the switch exceeds a predetermined value or a value of the switch control signal is insufficient to turn the switch on. The fault condition is indicated only if the detected condition is present for a predetermined period of time.

Detecting faults in hot-swap applications

Circuitry and methodology for controlling a FET or another transistor device provided to supply power to a circuit board insertable into a live backplane to provide inrush current slew rate control. The FET control circuit is responsive to an input signal variable in a preset manner to produce a FET control signal for controlling the FET so as to form an output signal corresponding to the input signal. The control circuit is configured to prevent the uncontrollable step in the output from being produced when the FET control signal reaches a level sufficient to control the FET. In one embodiment, a comparator is provided for comparing the FET control signal with a reference value that may correspond to a current for charging a control terminal of the FET to prevent the input signal from changing until the FET control signal exceeds the reference value.

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Sunol, CA, United States of America

Joshua John Simonson