Reverse-battery and overvoltage protection controllers provide ideal-diode characteristics

Maxim introduced 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 30microamps 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 degrees Celsius to +125 degrees Celsius automotive temperature range.