Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Announces Advanced eFuse that Meets High Reliability Server Application Requirements

­Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Limited (AOS), a designer, developer, and global supplier of a broad range of discrete power devices, wide bandgap power devices, power management ICs, and modules, today announced the release of its AOZ17517QI series, a 60A eFuse in a compact 5mm x 5mm QFN package. AOS optimized this new eFuse product series for 12V power rails in servers, data centers, and telecom infrastructure.

Due to high-reliability requirements for datacenter and telecom infrastructure products, all critical power rails are monitored and protected by an eFuse device to protect the main power bus from interruption due to abnormal load under fault conditions. AOS’ eFuse continuously monitors the current flowing through the power switch. If the current exceeds the set limit, the switch will limit the current to the maximum allowed. If the high current load persists, the switch will eventually turn off, protecting downstream loads from damage, thus acting as a fuse.

The new eFuse is constructed with AOS’ advanced co-packaging technology that combines a high-performance IC with protection features and the company’s latest high SOA Trench MOSFET. The AOZ17517QI series’ MOSFET offers low RDS(ON) (0.65mohm) that isolates the load from the input bus when the eFuse is off. These devices are designed to integrate accurate analog current and voltage monitoring signals, and designers can also use multiple eFuse devices in parallel for higher current applications. Multiple devices can operate concurrently and seamlessly distribute the current during the startup phase. In addition, the AOZ17517QI features startup SOA management and other protections, enabling a streamlined and glitch-free system power-up or the ability to hot plug into the backplane.

“High-reliability systems such as servers and other types of telecom applications have a critical requirement for input bus protection. Traditional protection methods have used a hot-swap controller and an external discrete FET to meet these needs. However, this approach is being increasingly dropped in favor of a more compact solution offered by an eFuse.  AOS’ ability to combine our advanced TrenchFET technology with our industry-leading IC technology enables us to provide a more compact, robust eFuse product solution that is optimized for the needs of today’s server designs,” said James Wang, Power IC Marketing Manager at AOS.

Technical Highlights

·       Operating Range: 4.5V to 20V

·       27V Absolute Maximum rating

·       Ultra-Low on-Resistance: 0.65mΩ MOSFET

·       Protection Features: Programmable Over Current Protection, Short-Circuit Protection, Under-Voltage Lock-Out, Over-Voltage Clamp, Thermal Shutdown Protection, Programmable Soft-Start, Startup SOA Management

·       Package: 5mm x 5mm QFN-32L

Pricing and Availability

The AOZ17517QI series is immediately available in production quantities with a lead time of 14 weeks. The unit price for AOZ17517QI starts at $1.8 in 1,000-unit quantities.

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