The MAX5946 is a dual hot-plug controller designed for PCI Express™ applications. The device provides hot-plug control for 12V, 3.3V and 3.3V auxiliary supplies of two PCI Express slots. The MAX5946’s logic inputs/outputs allow interfacing directly with the system hot-plug management controller or through an SMBus™ with an external I/O expander. An integrated debounced attention switch and present-detect signals are included to simplify system design. The MAX5946 drives four external n-channel MOSFETs to control the 12V and 3.3V main outputs. The 3.3V auxiliary outputs are controlled through internal 0.3Ω n-channel MOSFETs. Internal charge pumps provide gate drive for the 12V outputs while the gate drive of the 3.3V output is driven by the 12V input supply. The 3.3V auxiliary outputs are completely independent from the main outputs with their own charge pumps. At power-up, the MAX5946 keeps all of the external MOSFETs off until the supplies rise above their respective undervoltage lockout (UVLO) thresholds. The device keeps the internal MOSFETs off only until the auxiliary input supply rises above its UVLO threshold. Upon a turn-on command, the MAX5946 enhances the external and internal MOSFETs slowly with a constant gate current to limit the power-supply inrush current. The MAX5946 actively limits the current of all outputs at all times and shuts down if an overcurrent condition persists for longer than a programmable overcurrent timeout. Thermal-
The MAX5946 dual hot‑plug controller is designed for PCI Express applications, providing hot‑plug control for two slots. It drives four external n‑channel MOSFETs to switch the main 12 V and 3.3 V outputs, while internal MOSFETs handle the 3.3 V auxiliary rails. The device includes debounced attention switches, present‑detect signals, and can be interfaced directly or via SMBus with an I/O expander.
Key features include active current limiting, programmable over‑current timeout, thermal shutdown at +150 °C, and latch or auto‑restart fault behavior. The controller is offered in a 36‑pin thin QFN package and operates from –40 °C to +85 °C.
| 12 V Supply Voltage Range | 10.8 V – 13.2 V |
|---|---|
| 3.3 V Supply Voltage Range | 3.0 V – 3.6 V |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Number of External MOSFETs Driven | 4 |
The device operates from –40 °C up to +85 °C.
It controls four external n‑channel MOSFETs for the main 12 V and 3.3 V outputs.
Thermal‑protection circuitry shuts down all outputs when the die temperature exceeds +150 °C.