The MAX5978 hot-swap controller provides complete protection for systems with a supply voltage from 0...16 V. The device includes four programmable LED outputs.

The IC provides two programmable levels of overcurrent circuit-breaker protection: a fast-trip threshold for a fast turn-off, and a lower slow-trip threshold for a delayed turn-off. The maximum overcurrent circuitbreaker threshold range is set with a trilevel logic input (IRNG), or by programming through the I²C interface.

The IC is an advanced hot-swap controller that monitors voltage and current with an internal 10-bit ADC, which is continuously multiplexed to convert the output voltage and current at 10 ksps. Each 10-bit sample is stored in an internal circular buffer so that 50 past samples of each signal can be read back through the I²C interface at any time or after a fault condition.

The device includes five user-programmable digital comparators to implement overcurrent warning and two levels of overvoltage/undervoltage detection. When measured values violate the programmable limits, an external ALERT output is asserted. In addition to the ALERT signal, the IC can be programmed to deassert the powergood signal and/or turn off the external MOSFET.

The IC features four I/Os that can be independently configured as general-purpose input/outputs (GPIOs) or as open-drain LED drivers with programmable blinking. These four I/Os can be configured for any mix of LED driver or GPIO function.

The device is available in a 32-pin thin QFN-EP package and operates over the -40°C to +85°C extended temperature range.