MAX34441 Power-Supply Manager and Smart Fan Controller

The MAX34441 is a complex system monitor that manages up to five power supplies and a fan. The power manager monitors the power supply output voltage and continuously checks the user-programmable overvoltage and undervoltage thresholds. It can also margin the power supply output voltage to the user's desired level. The margining is adjusted using a closed-loop structure, where the device automatically adjusts the pulse-width modulated (PWM) output and then measures the resulting output voltage. The power manager can also sequence the power supplies in any order during power-up and power-down. The device can also monitor current using an external current-sense amplifier.

The device features closed-loop fan speed control. Based on the fan control PWM duty cycle or RPM speed at a specific temperature set by the user, the device automatically adjusts the fan speed to reduce audible noise and power consumption.

Key Features

5-Channel Power Manager

Voltage measurement/monitoring

12-bit, 1% accurate differential ADC

Min/max threshold deviation detection

Supports current monitoring with external current sense amplifier

Closed-loop margin automatic adjustment

Programmable power-up and power-down sequences

Power-OK output

1-channel fan control

Supports 3-wire and 4-wire fans

Closed loop automatic fan speed control

Supports dual tachometer fans

Fan Failure Detection

Supports up to 6 temperature sensors

External temperature diode interface with automatic series resistance compensation

1 internal temperature sensor

Supports up to 4 I²C external digital temperature sensor ICs

Fault detection for all temperature sensors

PMBus™ Compatible Command Interface

I²C/SMBus™ compatible serial bus with bus timeout detection

On-board non-volatile fault logging and default configuration settings

No external clock required

+3.3V supply voltage