Linear Technology Corp. (LTC, Milpitas, CA) introduced its new LTC4244, a rugged CompactPCI™ Hot-Swap™ controller that turns a board's supply voltages on and off in a controlled manner. The IC controls the 5V and 3.3V supply voltages with external n-channel FETS, while internal switches control the ±12V supplies. An absolute maximum supply voltage of 14.4V provides an extra degree of protection against voltage spikes, while under-voltage lockouts ensure that the part will only turn on once all the supplies are within proper operational limits.
The LTC4244 features circuit breakers with foldback current limiting that protect all four supplies and allow over-current transients to be limited without latching off. Voltage monitors on all supplies provide the HEALTHY# signal to indicate that the supplies are within regulation. The monitors, in combination with the PCI_RST# signal, in turn generate the LOCAL_PCI_RST# signal for the local processor. The part also pre-charges the bus I/O connector pins during hot insertion and extractions, thus limiting the possible disturbances.
The LTC4244 is specified for both the commercial and industrial temperature ranges, and is offered in the 20-pin SSOP package. Pricing starts at $3.90 each in 1,000-piece quantities.
