MAX16070/71: 12-/8-channel system monitors integrate current monitoring and nonvolatile fault registers

The ±2.5% accurate current monitor eliminates the need for an external current-sense amplifier, thus simplifying design, saving board space, and reducing costs. As an added benefit, when two inputs are configured as a differential pair, the devices can simultaneously monitor both the current and voltage in the power-supply rail.

The MAX16070/MAX16071 also integrate an ADC and nonvolatile fault registers to store and read back fault data. 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 memory. 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.

The 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 tool allows designers to quickly generate fault data for analysis or test different configurations with an I2C or JTAG interface.

The MAX16070/MAX16071 have a wide 2.8V to 14V operating voltage range, and allow operation directly from an intermediate bus voltage. The devices are fully specified over the -40 degrees Celsius to +85 degrees Celsius extended temperature range, and are available in a 6mm x 6mm, 40-pin TQFN package. Prices start at $5.65 (1000-up, FOB USA). Samples are available now.