12-/8-Channel Sequencers/Monitors Integrate Current Monitoring and Nonvolatile Fault Registers

These sequencers/monitors integrate highly ±2.5% accurate current monitoring and group sequencing to monitor and conserve power. They also feature an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and nonvolatile fault registers to store and read back fault data. An easy-to-use graphical configuration tool eliminates the need for tedious, time-consuming programming of complex devices like programmable logic devices (CPLDs) and microprocessors.

The MAX16065/MAX16066 provide ±1% accurate voltage monitoring and sequencing for complex systems where high reliability is critical. Networking, telecom, servers, and data storage are typical applications.

Many systems require the current and voltage to be monitored continuously. Traditional sequencers/monitors used external current-sense amplifiers for the task. Those design configurations could become very complex and costly as the number of external amplifiers increased.

With an integrated, dedicated current monitor, the MAX16065/MAX16066 eliminate the need for any external current-sense amplifiers. As an additional benefit, when two inputs are configured as a differential pair, the devices can monitor both the current in the power supply rail and the voltage of the power supply rail simultaneously.

By eliminating the need for external current-sense amplifiers, the MAX16065/MAX16066 add flexibility, simplify designs, save board space, and reduce costs.

There are many systems in the field today which require a set of functions to be enabled at all times. Lacking adequate flexibility for an application or offering limited programmability, those systems do little to manage power consumption efficiently.

To manage power consumption effectively, the MAX16065/MAX16066 offer a group-sequencing feature, which lets the designer customize and enable different application functions at different times. System functions can be programmed to operate while other functions are disabled. Activating selected functions at programmed intervals and turning off/disabling a secondary set of functions allows the designer to manage power intelligently. The result will be a significant savings in power consumption and a lower carbon footprint for the board.

When a system has a fault, a microcontroller may have a problem writing the status to external memory. However, the MAX16065/MAX16066 write to fault registers when a fault condition occurs and the system shuts down. The MAX16065/MAX16066 will perform a block write into nonvolatile flash memory. These fault registers provide a useful, higher level of long-term system reliability.

With these fault registers, customers can either save information about a monitored input that caused the problem, or write all of the measured values into flash. Users can then read back fault conditions to help debug design. If a system or board is returned to the factory, the manufacturer will now have useful fault data to analyze and determine what caused the failure.

Most of the power-management ICs for sequencing and monitoring systems require many hours to program. That is not the case with the MAX16065/MAX16066. These devices offer an easy-to-use graphical configuration tool which will save valuable engineering time. The tool will help to quickly generate data to analyze fault data or test different configurations with an I2C or JTAG interface.

The MAX16065/MAX16066 have a wide 2.8V to 14V operating voltage range, which allows operation directly from an intermediate bus voltage. The devices are fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius extended temperature range. The MAX16065 is available in a 48-pin, 7mm x 7mm TQFN package; the MAX16066 is available in a 40-pin, 6mm x 6mm TQFN package. Samples are now available.