- 8 March 2006 -

New digital temperature sensors with integrated fan control and motor controller

Andigilog, the Tempe, AZ, USA, based fabless semiconductor company, is addressing the problems of thermal management which plague high-density electronics systems.

At the Intel Developer Forum, Andigilog was showcasing how its new ThermalEdge technology enables accurate temperature sensing, precision system control and acoustic and cooling management for computer subsystems.

Two new chips, based on ThermalEdge technology, will begin sampling this month for desktop and notebook PCs and other computing systems.

"Industry trends such as smaller system size, faster processors and quieter PC initiatives make monitoring and controlling heat one of the designer's biggest challenges," noted Bill Sheppard, president and CEO of Andigilog. "Integrated approaches such as Andigilog ThermalEdge technology offer new ways to help solve these problems in an efficient and cost-effective way by incorporating thermal management intelligence throughout the system."

The Andigilog aSC7512 system controller integrates remote temperature sensing with automatic fan speed control on-chip to maintain and optimally manage CPU temperature. It can be easily designed into today's motherboards. The aSC7512 controller's highly accurate sensing of +/- one degree Celsius allows for more accurate monitoring so the fan is used more efficiently, conserving power and reducing operating noise. The chip supports three- and four-wire fans and includes a digital filter to smooth temperature readings for more efficient fan operation. The sensor also can notify the system of readings outside of programmed limits. Other features include multiple system alerts and a fan tachometer input to measure fan speed.

The new Andigilog aMC8500 controller provides highly integrated motor control for brushless DC fan applications, such as the newest PCs based on the BTX small form factor. The aMC8500 provides all functions to drive a one-amp brushless DC fan. Integrated on-chip are dual 0.5 ohm MOSFET motor drives, selectable slope for efficient speed control capable of accepting both digital and analog PWM signals, programmable minimum speed setting, Hall amplifier with proprietary noise immunity circuitry and selectable automatic low-current power-down mode for mobile applications.

General samples for the aSC7512 and the aMC8500 and an evaluation kit will be available in March 2006 with production anticipated for June 2006. The aSC7512 is priced at $1.50 per unit U.S. in 1K unit quantities. The aMC8500 is priced at $1.45 per unit U.S. in 1K unit quantities.

Web: http://www.andigilog.com