24 August 2010
MCU targets system management
Maxim Integrated Products has launched a new system management microcontroller which it claims cuts power and cooling costs in enterprise equipment.
The MAX31782 combines six temperature measurement channels with six channels of closed-loop fan control. According to Maxim, by monitoring multiple temperature points throughout the system, the MAX31782 enables enterprise system designers to implement precise zoned cooling schemes. This approach is designed to minimise system power consumption and cooling costs by individually adjusting the speed of each fan to deliver the exact amount of cooling required by each zone.
Maxim says this technique also enables increased reliability through reduced fan wear, compensation for fan speed variances due to dust accumulation and acoustic noise reduction.
A completely C language programmable solution, the MAX31782 is said to allow system designers to customise algorithms for precision zoned cooling in complex systems such as servers, network switches and routers, and base stations.
By monitoring multiple temperature nodes across the system, it is possible to use a multichannel fan controller ic to implement precision zoned cooling. According to Maxim, this approach saves power by dynamically adjusting the speed of each cooling fan to meet the constantly changing thermal requirements of each zone.
The conventional circuit for implementing zoned cooling requires a microcontroller and an external multichannel temperature sensor. Compared to this multichip approach, Maxim claims the MAX31782 consumes 55% less board space and reduces cost by at least 25%. It incorporates a 6channel, 12bit adc with a temperature sensing analogue front end designed to allow direct connection to thermal diodes.
Author
Chris Shaw
Supporting Information
Websites
http://www.maxim-ic.com/Fan-Controller
Companies
Maxim Integrated Products UK Ltd
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