ORing Power Controllers - TPS241x - Texas Instruments

TI introduced new TPS241x ORing power controllers (TPS2410, TPS2411, TPS2412, TPS2413) with advanced features for hi-end application such as blade servers, telecom systems and redundant processors. The chips provide a high-efficiency replacement for ORing diodes, and also offer intelligent control-monitoring of power supplies. TI’s ORing power controllers prevent board damage caused by voltage spikes and bus transient voltage.

ORing Power Controller System

TI's TPS241x ORing power controllers support input voltages of 3 V to 18 V, and able to control power supply voltages down to 0.8 V. The TPS241x ORing power controllers manage power distribution to multiple supplies and give protection from the dangerous of transient events or reverse-current with very fast turn-off response (130 nanoseconds). It is also possible to program the turn-off threshold and filtering function to protect the power supply.

Key features and specs of TPS2410:

• Wide supply voltage range of 3 V to 18 V
• Controls external FET for N+1 and ORing
• Controls buses from 0.8 V to 18 V
• Accurate and adjustable threshold permits precise control of turn-off
• Linear or on/off control method
• Soft turn-on feature reduces bus transients
• Internal charge pump for N-channel MOSFET
• Control mechanisms permit device operation to be tailored to the application
• Industrial temperature range of -40 to +85C

The TPS2410 and TPS2412 controllers incorporate linear gate control, giving power system designers greater flexibility to implement ORing in high-power applications. The TPS2411 and TPS2413 controllers utilize ON/OFF gate control to support low-power buses that may experience large transient steps.

For development, TI offers the $49 TPS2410EVM, TPS2410 Evaluation module. The kit set up to wire-OR two power supplies for redundant power to a load using two TPS2410s and MOSFETs.

Feature of TPS2410EVM:
A 5 V supply is used to power status LEDs. It is jumper selected to power VDD on the TPS2410 and the glitch circuit if the control voltage is less than 3.0 V. The Glitch maker applies a 1 ohm load to the input supply for 100 us. The status LEDs to give a visual indication of the power faults, power good, and gate status. The RSET resistor is used to program the turn-off point of the TPS2410.

The price of TPS2410 and TPS2411 is $1.70 each (1K units). The TPS2412 and TPS2413, low cost  versions are $1.20 each (1K units).

Source: Texas Instruments